Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-07-09
HOMEGROWN CONDIMENTS.
How tho Table Fare OF Formers Can Be
Greatly Improved.

The table fare Of farmers might be
greatly improved with very small ex-
pense and little trouble by raising vari-
Gus condiments in the garden. These
vegetable relishes sharpen the appetite
and digestion, and impart n desirable
flavor to many articles of food Of thO
taste of which we are likely to tire after
continued use. OF the value of celery
reference has often been made. Its
consumption has rapidly increased in
cities during the past few years, but it
is not generally raised by farmers on
account of the labor required in cult.
waiting and blanching il. There arc
many plants very desirable aS relishes
that farmers neglect to cultivate, though
they are very easily raised. Among
these, the common radish. No garden
product is more easily raised or is
served with less trouble, while none is
so generally relishcd. The best rad
ishes are produced by planting the seed
in soil that contains considerable sand,
and which has been made rich by the
application of well-rottcd manure. The
quicker they are grown the more crisp
and tender they will be- Very good
radishes may be raised by dropping tho
seed few inches apart in the rows
where the seed of other vegetables or
flowers are sown Radsh seed GER
inmates in very few days, and the
young plants mark the rows of plants
that are slow in making their appear
ancc. They thus enable the gardener To
WORK the soil between the rows and to
keep It free from grass and weeds.
Radishcs will be Of n size TO pull before
the other plants will be Of any consider
able size. Their production will be
without cost of land or labor A few
rad sh seeds should be planted every
week from the time the first leaves the
ground till the middle of summer. BY
adopting this course constant supply
can be secured. Any that are not
wanted for the table should be pulled
up before they become of very large
size, as their presence in the garden IS
not desirable. IL is ord narlv char er
to huy radish seed than to raise it,
The earliest homegrown relish that
can be obtained is horse-radi,h. In cat
ing. on salt-pork, ham, bacon. or any
kind of cold meat, il is the best rel sh
that can be obtained The horse
radish that is generally found in farm
houses is of very poor quality. 1t is
raised in soil in one corner of the gar
den or field. where il is allowed to
grow for years without cultivation.
The roots become old, tough and yell
low. They have not the pungency OF
III
grown in good soil. To have a good
article some roots should be planted in
good soil and cultivated during the
summer TO produce roots for use the
next season. In digging up roots for
use this spring the small roots that are
commonly cut of from the main one
should be saved for planting. Those
OF the size Of pipe-stems answer very
well for the purpose. These small cuts
or rootlets can be cut in pieces from
four to six inches in length and set out
in rows that will admit of stirring the
soil between them. These sets should
stand at least six inches apart in the
rows A long, pointed stick is con-
venient for making the holes for hold
ing the sets, which should be inserted
so that the tops are two or three inches
below the surface Of the groun |. They
will throw up branches and leaves in a
short time, when the plants should be
tended like other vegetables The
plant makes its main growth in the
fall, but the size OF the roots will de-
pend on the care given to them during
the summer Just before the ground
freezes in the fall a sufficient number
of the roots can be dug and stored for
use before the frost leaves the soil in
the spring. They can be kept covered
with earth in the cellar or in the pits
that are used for other vcgetl bes
Roots served in this manner will be
quite tender, white and very, pungent
They are vastly superior to old roots
which grow in sod.
The common garden-cress, or pepper
grass, makes an excellent salad for use
during the early part OF the summer
The seed germinates in q few days, and
The leaves are sufficiently large 10 use
before there are any other garden veg
tables Water-cress is far superior 10
garden-crcss, and its cultivation is
recommended to all persons who have
springs or running streams on their
farms Seeds can be obtained OF all
extensive dealers, and a bed of il once
established will remain productive an
indefinite time. The seed should be
sown on the margin Of the stream. from
which the grass has been removed
The plant, require constant moisture.
and the water should be very cold. The
plants are very productive OF leaves.
which can be plucked every week dur
Ing the growing season. Watcr-cress
is a relish which is desirable during the
entire year. II forms a beautiful liable
ornament. and Is as useful for this pur-
pose a. parsley. The leaves are more
tender aud less pungent tnan those of
garden-cress.
Water-cress is now in good demand
in all cities, and many who have good
beds OF ii derive con ilerable income
from them. When gathered for market
Il is ted up in lunches OF n ,ize that
can be clasped in the hand. and put in
cheap baskets or crates. Water cress
is not only desirable relish D. use
with meat, but with plain bread and
butter. IL requires no add tion but salt.
Considering the ease with which il can
DC grown. the pcrmanency Of the plan
taiion, Us continued productiycnesg
throughout the year, and it's many
points OF excellence il seems strange
that il doe, not receive more attelt.On
Every kitchen garden shou contain
a variety Of sweet herbs. The Ii should
compr.ss slgo, sweet marioram, sum
mcr savoy and thyme. The, a-e all
desirable for seasoning p Irk, which Is
the meat chiefly u.ed by farmers. All
these plants are raised from seed which
can be obtained from any dealer The
seed should be sown in rows from
twelve 10 fifteen inche apart A. these
herbs are chiefly used during b. win.
ter. the leaves. with port on Of the
stalks. should he gathered before the
appearance Of frost, dried IN the shade,
and carefully packed in paper bag.
Chicago Jimes.
Bonnet Versus Flour.
Il Is question whether the -four