190 HORTICUJ.TUJIAL TOUR. 



sis) is very commonly cultivated, under the name of Iriblc 

 or bonnc-divnc ; it also is used like spinagc, but always 

 mixed with sorrel. The leaves of white beet are often used, 

 stewed and served with mutton or veal. The mid-ribs of the 

 same plant, somewhat blanched, are employed under the 

 name of Chards of beet : The blanching is accomplished by 

 tying up the plants in the manner of endive. — Great quan- 

 tities of water-cress (Sisymbrium Nasturtium) are constantly 

 to be seen on the stalls, being much used both in salads and 

 dressed like spinage or sorrel. The picked leaves are very 

 generally served along with roasted fowl. The market is 

 supplied partly from gardens in the neighbourhood of Paris, 

 but chiefly from places at a considerable distance, where the 

 culture of water-cress forms a distinct branch of industry. 

 At the villages of Cailli, Long-Paon, and Fontaine sous 

 Preaux, in Normandy, large plantations are formed, and 

 are called cressonieres. I understand that it conduces 

 greatly to the health and luxuriance of the plants, to have 

 the water constantly circulating and flowing about them. 

 The immediate neighbourhood of a small slow-flowing 

 streamlet, therefore, where the water can be spread over 

 the beds, forms the most desirable site. The beds are re- 

 gularly weeded ; and the whole are cleared out, and the 

 crc^s-plants renewed, every second or third year. Water- 

 cresses frequently appear in the Edinburgh market in the 

 spring months ; but they are gathered from ditches in the 

 neighbourhood, and are not there an object of cultivation. 

 The London market is now regularly supplied, throughout 

 the year, like that of Paris, by persons occupied in the 

 culture of the plant. — I may mention, that, upon inquiry, 

 I found that blanched sea-cale shoots have never yet appear- 

 ed in the Paris market; and in none of the market-gardens 

 which I visited, did I sec any preparations for the culture 

 of thi ' Whenever the blanched shoots of sea- 



