CRESS

Lepidium sativum





Cress is best grown in small lots from frequent sowings, and the sorts

should be kept separate, and, if possible, on the same border. Fresh

fine soil is requisite, and there is no occasion for manuring, in fact

it is objectionable, but a change of soil must be made occasionally to

insure a good growth. The seed is usually sown too thick, yet thin

sowing is not to be recommended. It is important to cut Cress when it is

just ready--tender, green, short, and plump. This it will never be if

sown too thick, or allowed to stand too long. Immediately the plant

grows beyond salad size it becomes worthless, and should be dug in. From

small sowings at frequent intervals under glass a constant supply of

Cress may be kept up through the cold months of the year, for which

purpose shallow boxes or pans will be found most convenient. Cress

generally requires rather more time than Mustard.



American or Land Cress (Barbarea praecox) is of excellent quality

when grown on a good border, and two or three sowings should be made in

the spring and autumn in shady spots. If the site is not naturally

moist, water must be copiously given.



Water Cress (Nasturtium officinale) is so highly prized that many

who are out of the reach of ordinary sources of supply would gladly

cultivate it were there a reasonable prospect of success. Assertions

have been made that it can be grown in any garden without water, but we

have never yet seen a sample fit to eat which has been grown without

assistance from the water can. A running stream is not necessary. Make a

trench in a shady spot, and well enrich the soil at the bottom of it. In

this sow the seed in March, and when the plants are established keep

the soil well moistened. The more freely this is done the better will be

the result. Other sowings may be made in April, August, and September.

We have seen Water Cress successfully cultivated in pots and pans

immersed in saucers of water placed in shady positions.