VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION AND CULTURE. 297 



Culture. — It is raised from seed, which must be sown 

 yearly. The soil, like that for most root crops, must be 

 mellow, deep, and fertile. Sow any time in spring, in drills 

 a foot apart, and cover the seed half an inch deep. In 

 the South it is better to sow two or three different times, 

 as the early sown may run to seed, and the late sown may 

 not vegetate. . When the plants are three inches high, 

 thin them to eight inches in the drill. In short, to culti- 

 vate and save seed, see Salsify. 



Use. — The roots are carrot-shaped, but with a black 

 skin. They are white within, are agreeable to the taste, 

 and nutritive, but before use, the bitter outer rind must 

 be scraped off. They are then boiled and used like salsify 

 or carrots. The roots continue good all winter. The 

 plant is too similar to salsify to render its cultivation 

 an object where that is grown. 



SCURVY GBASS.— {CocMearia officinalis.) 



A hardy, Cruciferous, annual plant, found near the sea 

 shores of most temperate climates. 



It is propagated by seed sown as soon as ripe, or very 

 early in spring. Sow in shallow drills, eight inches apart, 

 and thin to four inches. Keep free from weeds, and water 

 in dry weather. Used as an addition to salads, like 

 cresses, and medicinally in scurvy. 



SEA KALE. — {Crambe maratima.) 



This is a hardy, Cruciferous perennial, a native of the 

 dry, shingly shores of Great Britain. The plant is smooth, 

 of a beautiful glaucous hue, covered with a fine meal, and 

 with large, sinuated radical leaves. The flower is of a 

 13* 



