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THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



as the Salsafy. After the first year's growth, the roots will continue 

 to increase in size without becoming less fit for use, even though 

 the plants may have produced some stems and flowers in the 

 course of the summer. The roots are eaten boiled, like those of 

 the Salsafy ; the leaves also may be used as salad. 



FRENCH SCORZONERA 



Scorzomra picroides, L. ; Picridiuin vulgare, Desf. CompositcB. 



Frerich, Picridie cultivee. Italian, Caccialepre. 



Native of South Europe. — Annual. — Radical leaves sinuated, 

 or cut into entire or toothed lobes, generally obtuse, and forming a 

 rather full rosette 10 to 12 in. in diameter. Stems numerous, 

 branching, smooth, bearing a few long, narrow leaves, which are 

 clasping at the base and usually toothed ; flower-heads terminal, 

 largish, swollen at the base, and composed of yellow florets ; seed 

 brown, small, long, marked with four furrows and four prominent 

 transversely notched ridges. Its germinating power lasts for five 

 years. It is sown in drills like Parsley or Chicory, and the leaves 

 are cut for use as small green salad, like Chicory. After being cut, 

 the plants send out fresh leaves, and several successive cuttings 

 may be made in the course of the season. In hot weather frequent 

 waterings are serviceable. The young leaves are used as salad, 

 especially in Italy. 



SCURVY-GRASS 



Cochlear ia officinalis, L. Cruciferce. 



French, Cochlearia officinal. German, Loffelkraut. Flemish, Lepelkruyd. Dutch, Lepel- 

 blad. Danish, Kokleare. Italian and Spanish, Coclearia. Portuguese, Cochlearia. 



Native of Europe. — 

 Perennial, but cultivated 

 as an annual. — This plant 

 has some resemblance to 

 the Water-cress. Leaves 

 rounded, numerous, shining, 

 and dark green ; radical 

 leaves long - stalked and 

 heart-shaped ; stem-leaves 

 sessile, oblong, and more 

 or less toothed ; stems 

 numerous, bearing small 

 white flowers ; seeds small, 

 oval, slightly angular, rough 

 skinned, and red-brown in 

 colour. Their germinating 

 power lasts for four years. 

 Scurvy-grass natural size). All the green parts have 



