150 
THE FLORIST AND P0M0L0GIST. 
May I hope that some of my readers have been induced to emulate me?— 
such is my application. I am not a revolutionist; I merely take what is close 
by me; and out of these crude materials I weave a fabric that makes my 
window gay and pleasing, my home cheerful, and provides a welcome recrea¬ 
tion as an antidote to the wear and anxiety of the diurnal round of business. 
Quo. 
THE CULTIVATION OF SALADS, 
WITH A NOTICE ON THE CULTURE OF WATER CRESS, AS PRACTISED IN 
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE. 
The production of a really good and useful salad at all times of the year 
is such an important point in a gardener, that those who fail to accomplish it 
must be content with an appellation far inferior to first-rate. 
Whilst we admit that the salads of the English gardener are in general 
very good, we must allow that the French and Dutch gardeners greatly excel 
us in getting Lettuces at an early season, as is proved in Covent Garden 
Market, where the early Cos Lettuces are mostly of Parisian origin; and in 
Holland by the beautiful Cabbage Lettuces, which are produced in frames, 
with oiled paper over them to prevent the injurious effects of damps upon the 
young and tender foliage, which is raised in the temperature of a Melon-frame; 
and being thus produced is of the most delicate character. 
For this purpose the Dutch have a peculiar sort of Cabbage Lettuce, which 
will stand a great deal of heat. When in Holland I procured, through the 
kindness of M. Van Eden, of Haarlem, some seeds of it, which I cultivated 
for some years at Nuneham, and which, on several occasions, called forth the 
warm eulogies of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, in February 
and March, as a most recherche salad. 
There is a remarkable difference in the taste of the French people who 
constitute the million, and that of those who occupy the same sphere in Eng¬ 
land. In France the poor man is happy and contented with his Cabbage 
Lettuce, which, stewed or raw, forms a large portion of his food, alternating 
with Gourd soup. On the contrary, the Englishman seems to delight only in 
animal food and strong beer. 
It might be well for us to attend a little more to the culture of these 
vegetables, which we know, from observation in other countries, to conduce 
to the benefit of the million; and among these there are none more useful 
than the Water Cress, or Nasturtium officinale, which is said to be an anti¬ 
scorbutic, and is particularly wholesome. 
Living as I do now; in the centre of Buckinghamshire, a county traversed 
by the most beautiful streams, flowing over beds of chalk and gravel, I observe 
that this plant is extensively cultivated for the London market. I proceed to 
give the following brief account of its simple management, in the hope that, 
although not a garden subject, it may yet prove interesting to some parties to 
peruse. 
I have just remarked that it is not a garden plant; but it certainly is, for 
I have planted it, and seen it planted, at the foot of a northern wall, and it 
produced through the season an abundance of beautiful Cress. 
Loudon says that this plant was first cultivated by Bradbury, at Northfleet 
Spring Head, Gravesend. This cultivator also grows five acres of this plant 
at Rickmansworth. “ Fie sends the Cress in hampers, each containing eight 
dozen bunches, daily (except Sundays) to London.” 
Extensive beds of this plant are grown in the neighbourhood of Uxbridge, 
