Fedia cornucopiae. Valeriana cornucopiae.

This is an annual plant, with a smooth, branching stem about fifteen
inches high. The leaves are oblong, stemless, thick, and fleshy, and of
a bright, glossy-green color; the flowers are numerous, large,
rose-colored, showy, and ornamental; the seeds are oblong, yellowish,
somewhat vesiculous, and retain their vitality five years,--twenty-two
hundred are contained in an ounce.

_Soil and Culture._--It succeeds best in a light, warm soil. Prepare a
bed four feet and a half wide, spade it thoroughly over, rake the
surface smooth and fine, and sow the seed in drills fourteen inches
apart. The first sowing should be made the last of April, or early in
May; and afterwards, for a succession, sow a row or two every fortnight
till July.

_Use._--It is used as a salad, and is said to be superior to the Common
Fetticus, or Corn-salad.

When in blossom, the plant presents a beautiful appearance, and well
deserves a place in the flower-garden.

* * * * *

WATER-CRESS.

Sisymbrium nasturtium. Nasturtium officinale.

Water-cress is a hardy, aquatic perennial; and is found growing
naturally, in considerable abundance, about ponds, and in ditches and
small running streams. When in blossom, the plant is about two feet in
height, or length; the leaves are winged, with five or six pairs of
rounded leaflets, and, in deep water, are often immersed, or float upon
the surface; the flowers are small, white, four-petaled, and terminate
the stalks in loose spikes; the seeds are very small, reddish-brown, and
retain their powers of germination five years,--nearly a hundred and
twenty thousand are contained in an ounce.

_Planting and Culture._--"Water-cress is of the best quality when grown
in running streams and gravelly soil." The roots may be planted in
spring, in situations where the water is from four to eight inches deep.
After they are established, the plants will rapidly increase, both from
the natural distribution of the seeds and the spreading of the roots,
and soon entirely cover the surface of the water with foliage. It may be
grown with trifling cost in any small collection of water, and can be
easily introduced by dropping a few plants about the borders at the time
of the ripening of the seeds. In many localities, it is found growing in
spontaneous abundance; and one of the best and most healthful of salads
may be obtained for the mere labor of ga