WATER-CRESS. 375 



cress leaf is of a roundish heart-like shape, 

 with few indentures on the edges, much re- 

 sembling the first leaves of the radish. The 

 upper part of the plant is of a reddish brown 

 colour, and of a dark green on the under side 

 of the leaves; whereas those of the water- 

 parsnip are of a light green, and of an oblong 

 shape, ending in a point, and regularly ser- 

 rated on their edges. 



Water-cresses are most esteemed when 

 grown on running streams, and a gravelly 

 soil; those who can introduce water through 

 their gardens plant the roots in the spring, 

 in a kind of canal, through which they pass 

 from six to twelve inches of water. After 

 these plants have been suffered to seed, the 

 bed will become one mass of cress for many 

 years. If the descent is considerable, it be- 

 comes necessary to form little dams to keep 

 a few inches of steady water, to prevent the 

 current from washing up the roots. 



Those who have large pieces of water on 

 their grounds, may obtain cress by the sim- 

 ple process of throwing the plants on the 

 surface of the water. They will mature their 

 seed, and soon propagate an abundant sup- 



