Slnapis alba.

Soil And Situation

It succeeds best in a fine rich mouldy loam, in which the supply of moisture is regular; it may rather incline to lightness than tenacity. If grown for salading it need not be dug deep; but if for seed, to full the depth of the blade of the spade.

In early spring, and late in autumn, the situation should be sheltered; and during the height of summer, shaded from the meridian sun.

Time And Mode Of Sowing

For salading, it may be sown throughout the year. From the beginning of November to the same period of March, in a gentle hot-bed appropriated to the purpose, in one already employed for some other plant, or in the corner of a stove. From the close of February to the close of April it may be sown in the open ground, on a warm sheltered border, and from thence to the middle of September in a shady one. Both the white and black, for seed, may be sown at the close of March, in an open compartment. For salading, it is sown in flat-bottomed drills, about half an inch deep and six inches apart. The seed cannot well be sown too thick. The earth which covers the drills should be entirely divested of stones. Water must be given occasionally in dry weather, as a due supply of moisture is the chief inducement to a quick vegetation. The sowings are to be performed once or twice in a fortnight, according to the demand. Cress (lepidium sativun) is the almost constant accompaniment of this salad-herb; and as the mode of cultivation for each is identical, it is only necessary to remark that, as cress is rather tardier in vegetating than mustard, it is necessary, for the obtaining them both in perfection at the same time, to sow it five or six days earlier.

It must be cut for use whilst young, and before the rough leaves appear, otherwise the pungency of the flavour is disagreeably increased. If the top only is cut off, the plants will in general shoot again, though this second produce is always scanty, and not so mild or tender.

To Obtain Seed

For the production of seed sow thin. When the seedlings have attained four leaves they should be hoed, and again after the lapse of a month, during dry weather, being set eight or nine inches apart. Throughout their growth they must be kept free from weeds; and if dry weather occurs at the time of flowering, water may be applied with great advantage to their roots.

The plants flower in June, and are fit for cutting when their pods have become devoid of verdure. They must be thoroughly dried before threshing and storing.

Forcing

For forcing, the seed is most conveniently sown in boxes or pans, even if a hot-bed is appropriated to the purpose. Pans of rotten tan are to be preferred to pots or boxes of mould; but whichever is employed the seed must be sown thick, and other restrictions attended to, as for the open-ground crops. The hot-bed need only be moderate. Air may be admitted as abundantly as circumstances will allow.