462 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



say nothing of the keen north wind whistling 

 through every hole in threadbare and tattered 

 garments, best described as a number of holes 

 sewn together, is as miserable and unenlivening 

 an occupation as can well be imagined. Then, 

 when they have been gathered, the cresses must 

 be tied up and trimmed, and, in order to ensure 

 them from damage, as well as to admit of their 

 being more closely packed, this work must be 

 performed on the spot. 



The water - keepers hate the ' creasers,' lay 

 all sorts of crimes to their charge, and aver that 

 they poach the fish, etc. If the spawning season 

 has been a bad one, it is all due to ' them creasers 

 a -messing about.' If a jack has got off the 

 trimmer, it is ' one of them dratted creasers who 

 stole it,' etc.; and so the poor wretches, who work 

 really hard for their living, and are far oftener 

 sinned against than sinning, get hunted off here, 

 warned off there, until it becomes a matter of 

 greater difficulty each year to procure a sufficient 

 supply of cress for their needs, and they are forced 

 to travel further and further afield in order that 

 they may do so unmolested. 



The demand for watercress, especially during 

 those months in which salads are scarce, and con- 

 sequently dear, is so great that, of recent years, 

 its culture has formed an industry of considerable 

 importance, and where the conditions are favour- 

 able for its cultivation, it has been found that the 

 cost of its production is capable of yielding a very 



