WATER-CRESS. 387 



som, the plant is about two feet in height, or length ; the 

 leaves are winged, with five or six pairs of rounded leaflets, 

 and, in deep water, are often immersed, or float upon the sur- 

 face ; the flowers are small, white, four-petaled, and terminate 

 the stalks in loose spikes ; the seeds are very small, reddish- 

 brown, and retain their powers of germination five years. 

 Nearly a hundred and twenty thousand are contained in an 

 ounce. 



Planting and Culture. Water-cress is of the best quality 

 when grown in running streams and gravelly soil. The 

 roots may be planted in spring, in situations where the water 

 is from four to eight inches deep. After they are established, 

 the plants will rapidly increase, both from the natural distri- 

 bution of the seeds and the spreading of the roots, and soon 

 entirely cover the surface of the water with foliage. It may 

 be grown with trifling cost in any small collection of water, and 

 can be easily introduced by dropping a few plants about the 

 borders, at the time of the ripening of the seeds. In many 

 localities it is found growing in spontaneous abundance, and 

 one of the best and most healthful of salads may be obtained 

 for the mere labor of gathering. 



Varieties. There are three described varieties, the 

 Green-leaved, the Small Brown-leaved, and the Large 

 Brown-leaved. These differ slightly, if at all, in flavor, 

 though the Brown-leaved is generally preferred : having a 

 fine appearance, and a small proportion of stalk to the leaves, 

 it is most salable in the market. The variations in foliage 

 and habit do not appear to be caused by the quantity or 

 quality of the water in which the plants are grown, as the 

 three kinds are found growing together. The Green-leaved 

 is said to be the easiest of cultivation, but the Small Brown- 

 leaved is the hardiest. The Large Brown-leaved is the best, 

 and is the only one which can be well grown in situations 

 where shallow water is not to be obtained. 



