222 GARDENING FOR TOE SOUTH. 



Culture. Cress likes a light, moist mould, and in sum- 

 mer a shady border is to be preferred. It is propagated 

 from seed, which, to keep up a succession of young and 

 tender plants, must be sown every week or two. Give it 

 rich earth, that it may grow rapidly. It is best when an 

 inch high, but is generally allowed to get two or three 

 times as high before cropping. Begin to sow for winter 

 and early spring use in September and October, in a shel- 

 tered situation ; and again as soon as spring opens, 

 sow in the open ground, in drills six or eight inches apart ; 

 cover lightly, and pat over the bed with the back of the 

 spade to press the earth upon the seed. Keep the ground 

 clear, and water in dry weather. It can be had all winter 

 by the use of the cold frame or hot-bed ; give plenty of 

 air. A few rows left uncut will produce seed abundantly. 



Use. The young and tender leaves give to salads a 

 warm, pungent, and agreeable taste. It is generally used 

 in connection with lettuce and other salads. 



CUCUMBER. (Cucumis sativus.) 



This is a tender, trailing annual, with rough, heart-shaped 

 leaves, and yellow flowers, growing wild in the East In- 

 dies, etc. It is one of the earliest garden products men- 

 tioned in history, and was cultivated from the earliest 

 times in Egypt. (Numbers xi., 5.) 



It has always been a vegetable peculiarly grateful and 

 refreshing to the inhabitants of warm climates. It was 

 probably early brought into Europe from the East, as it 

 was in high esteem among the Romans, who so well un- 

 derstood its culture, that it appeared on the tables of the 

 wealthy in winter. In England, it was introduced as early 

 as 1573. The best varieties are : 



