Corn Salad, or Lamb’s Lettuce, so often seen on Continental tables, is comparatively unknown in this country.  The reason for this is, perhaps, to be found in the fact that, as a raw vegetable, it is not particularly palatable, although when dressed as a salad with oil and the usual condiments it is altogether delicious, and forms a most refreshing episode in the routine of a good dinner.  Corn Salad is a plant of quick growth, and is valued for its early appearance in spring, when elegant salads are much in request.  It may be mixed with other vegetables for the purpose, or served alone with a little suitable preparation.

The most important sowings are made in August and September.  Seed may, however, be sown at any time from February to October, but only those who are accustomed to the plant should trouble to secure summer crops; when Lettuces are plentiful Corn Salad is seldom required.  Any good soil will grow it, but the situation should be dry and open.  Sow in drills six inches apart, and thin to six inches in the rows.  The crop is taken in the same way as Spinach, either by the removal of separate leaves or cutting over in tufts.

==Couve Tronchuda==

==Brassica oleracea costata==

Couve Tronchuda, or Portugal Cabbage, is a fine vegetable that should be grown in every garden, including those in which Cabbages generally are not regarded as of much importance.  The plant is of noble growth, and in rich ground requires abundant room for the spread of its great leaves, the midribs of which are thick, white, tender, and when cooked in the same manner as Sea Kale quite superb in quality.  When a fair crop of these midribs has been taken there remains the top Cabbage, which is excellent.

Two or three sowings may be made in February, March, and April, and the early ones must be in heat.  Transfer to rich soil as early as possible, giving the plants ample room, from two to three feet each way, and aid with plentiful supplies of water in dry weather.

==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.