made sufficient growth, they may be
cut for use. The outer leaves should be first gathered, and the
flower-stalks cut or nipped off as they make their appearance, in order
to render the plants strong and stocky, and to promote the growth of the
leaves; these being the parts of the plants used. They are served as
Cress, which they resemble in flavor.

* * * * *

WOOD-SORREL.

Oxalis acetocella.

Wood-sorrel is a hardy, perennial plant; growing naturally in woods, in
cool and shaded situations. The leaves are radical, inversely
heart-shaped, and produced three together at the extremity of quite a
long stem, or petiole; the flower-stalk is entirely leafless, and
supports a solitary bell-shaped flower, the petals of which are white,
finely lined or striped with purple; the seed-vessels are of an oblong
form, five-angled, and, when ripe, burst open by the touch, in the
manner of those of the _Impatiens noli me tangere_, or Common Balsam, of
the flower-garden; the seeds are quite small, and of a reddish-brown
color.

The flowers are produced in May and June, and the seeds ripen in July.

_Propagation and Culture._--It may be propagated either by seeds or by
dividing the roots. The soil should be rich and moist; and the seeds may
be sown in April or May, in shallow drills ten or twelve inches apart;
or the roots may be divided in spring or autumn, and set in rows the
same distance asunder.

_Use._--The leaves possess a pleasant, acid taste; and are mixed with
salads, to which they impart an agreeable, refreshing flavor. The plant
is considered one of the most valuable of all vegetables cultivated for
their acid properties.

* * * * *

WORMS.

Astragalus hamosus.

A hardy, annual plant, indigenous to the south of Europe. Stem ten or
twelve inches long, recumbent; leaves pinnate, with ten or twelve pairs
of quite small leaflets; flowers yellow, produced five or six together
at the extremity of quite a long stem, or peduncle; the seed-pods are
about two inches long, nearly a fourth of an inch thick, peculiarly bent
or curved, and contain ten or twelve brown seeds.

There is but one species or variety cultivated.

_Sowing and Culture._--The plants may be started by sowing the seeds in
a hot-bed in March, or the seeds may be sown in the open ground in May.
They are cultivated in rows fourteen inches apart, and ten or twelve
inches apart in the rows; an