WA TERCRESS-FA RMING 46 1 



of his Grace, and is permitted to supply the 

 family, when in town, with vegetables of the 

 commoner sorts, and, buying in the cheapest 

 market and selling at an exorbitant profit, con- 

 trives to earn a very respectable livelihood. He 

 and our tattered friend transact a considerable 

 amount of business during the year ; at one time 

 it is 'creases, 'at another ' musherooms,' ground- 

 sel for cage-birds, etc., and so the little green 

 bunches find themselves transferred from the old 

 hamper to all sorts and conditions of men, and 

 as his basket grows lighter, the heart of the 

 vendor grows lighter, too, and when he shambles 

 homeward, wherever that may be, his broken and 

 clouted old shoes applaud him as they flap the 

 pavement, and the coppers in his pocket jingle 

 merrily. He has had a hard day's work, has, 

 perhaps, tramped many a mile to fill his basket, 

 and many more in order to empty it. Who could 

 be hard-hearted enough to grudge him the modest 

 pint in which he indulges as he trudges wearily 

 home ? 



It is during the earlier months of the year that 

 watercresses realize the best prices, for they are 

 then scarce, and the labour of gathering them is 

 greater, for their stems are short and the water 

 is icy cold. They require to be picked carefully, 

 or the stock will suffer. Altogether, watercress- 

 gathering is as cheerless and wet a job as anv- 

 one could desire ; to paddle about in the cold 

 spring-water, sockless, and well-nigh bootless, to 



