440 GARDENING FOB THE SOUTH. 



WATER CRESS.— (Nasturtium officinale.) 



This is a hardy, perennial, English, Cruciferous plant, 

 growing in running streams. There is but one variety 

 in use. 



The Water-Cress likes a clear, cool, running stream, 

 fresh issuing from a spring, the nearer its source the bet- 

 ter, with the water about an inch and a half deep, with 

 a sandy or gravelly bottom. It must, of course, at first 

 be raised from seed, which can be sprinkled at the source 

 of some gravelly stream. If once established, it w T ill soon 

 propagate from self-sown seed. If the stems get choked 

 with mud and weeds they must be taken up and the 

 beds cleared and replanted. The shoots ought always to 

 be cut, as breaking injures the plants. 



They grow best in water not over two or three inches 

 deep, and if plants can be got, should be set in rows 

 parallel with the stream, eighteen inches apart. 



Use. — Water-cresses are generally liked for their warm, 

 pungent taste, and are used alone or in mixed salads. 



WATERMELON.— ( ( 'itrullus vulgaris.) 



This is a trailing annual, a native of the tropics, and of 

 the same natural family as the cucumber and musk- 

 melon, but belongs to a distinct genus. It is a large, suc- 

 culent, and refreshing, but not high-flavored fruit, and is 

 probably the melon mentioned in the Bible. The varie- 

 ties are numerous, many of them not being known out of 

 a limited locality. The following are general favorites: 



Boss. — A melon with a thin dark rind. A good shipper. 

 The flesh is deep red and fine flavor. Oblong shape. This 

 is an early melon and very productive. 



Arkansas Traveller. — This was introduced by Lan- 

 dreth, and has been recommended by some of the experi- 

 ment stations as a superior melon. "Rind dark green 



