April.] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 327 
rous ■ orange- coloured flowers, as their excellence in salads, and 
their use in garnishing dishes. The green berries or seeds of this 
plant, which it produces abundantly, make one of the nicest pickles 
that can possibly be conceived^ in the estimation of many, they are 
superior to capers. 
There are, of the nasturtium, a major and minor kind; the for- 
mer being of a large running growth, and the most productive, is 
the proper sort for the above purposes. 
A drill may be drawn for them as practised for peas, and the 
seeds dropped therein, at the distance of two or three inches from 
one another, and covered with earth near an inch deep. When the 
plants are grown about six inches, they should have sticks placed to 
them to run upon. Or they may be sown near hedges, fences, or 
palings of any kind, on which they can climb and have support, for 
they will always be more productive in this way than when suffered 
to trail on the ground. 
Liquorice. 
The early -part of this month is a very good season, in the middle 
states, for planting liquorice. For its general culture, see page 
208, &c. 
Sowing Okra. 
The Hibiscus esculenta, or okra. The green capsules of this 
plant is an admirable ingredient in soups, and its ripe seeds, if 
burned and ground like coffee, can scarcely be distinguished there- 
from. Numbers cultivate it for that purpose, and even say that it 
is much superior to foreign coffee, particularly as it does not affect 
the nervous system like the latter. 
Between the middle or latter end of this month, is a proper time 
to sow the seed in the middle states; and in the eastern states, the 
early part of May; or generally, it may be sown, with certainty 
of success, at the time that Indian corn is planted. Draw drills 
about an inch deep and four feet asunder, into which drop the 
seeds at the distance of eight inches from one another, or rather 
drop two or three in each place, lest the one should not grow, and 
cover them near an inch deep. As they advance in growth, earth 
them up two or three times as you do peas, and they will produce 
abundantly. Some plant or sow them much thinner in the rows; 
but by the above method you will have more in quantity and as 
good in quality. 
Capsicums or Red-Peppers. 
Sow capsicums towards the end of this month on a warm bor- 
der, to produce plants for planting out towards the latter end of 
May, or beginning of June; the large heart-shaped capsicum is 
in the greatest estimation for pickling, but the small upright kinds 
are the strongest for pepper: if they are desired at an early season. 
