A SELF-SUPPORTING HOME 



rangement proved beyond doubt that forc- 

 ing water-cress is practical. 



The stream was inconveniently located; 

 so, having an unfailing spring at the back of 

 the orchard, we determined to make new 

 cress beds. The first step was to have the 

 spring dug out and walled up three feet. 

 On each side a trap, or small sluice, was in- 

 serted, and from the outer side of the wall 

 ditches three feet wide and deep were dug; 

 the bottom was covered with four inches of 

 sand, and the beds were ready for planting. 



The sluices were opened to saturate the 

 bottom of the ditch. Then all but the 

 merest trickle of water was shut off, until 

 the roots, which were brought from the old 

 stream, had gained a firm growth in the 

 sand. Then a steady supply was let in 

 sufficient in quantity to keep about half a 

 foot of water constantly running through 

 the ditch. November 1 the full length of 

 the excavation was covered with hot-bed 

 sashes, which kept our cress productive all 



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