560 KITCHEN GARDEN. 



before it is laid up ; if moist, it will grow, and soon 

 exhaust itself. Hort. Trans. Vol. ii, p. 345. 



43. MUSTARD. 



The only species of Mustard cultivated in our gar- 

 dens is the Sinapis alba, or TVhite Mustard : it is an 

 annual plant, and cut in its young state, when the seed- 

 leaves are fully expanded, and used with Chervil and 

 Cress, as an ingredient among salads. 



The ripe seeds were, a few years since, recommended 

 to be taken whole, as a tonic and detergent ; and the 

 public was amused for a time with inflated accounts 

 of the medical virtues of this stimulant for debility of 

 the digestive organs. 



It requires to be grown in the same manner, and at 

 the same times, as the common garden Cress. 



44. NASTURTIUMS, OR INDIAN CRESS. 



There are two species of Nasturtium cultivated in 

 our gardens : they are both hardy annuals : natives of 

 Peru. 



1. Large Nasturtium. 2. Small Nasturtium. 



TropcBolum Majus. Tropceolum Minus. 



Introduced in 1686. Cultivated in 1596. 



In its native country, the Tropaeolum endures several 

 seasons ; but here, being unable to sustain our winter, 

 it is treated as an annual, and requires to be sown every 

 year. 



The flowers and young leaves are frequently eaten in 

 salads. The flowers are also used to garnish dishes. 

 The pods are gathered green, and pickled, in which 

 state they form an excellent substitute for capers. 



To those who cultivate Nasturtiums in their gardens, 

 for the sake of their seed-pods to pickle, the second 

 sort is preferable. The common Nasturtium, Tro- 



