ER 
16—1845.] 
THE GARDENERS’ CHRONICLE, . ` 
255 
This may be done advantageously once or twice, but 
for such’ free-growing plants it is best to renew them 
every three years. In winter when syringing would be 
injurious, it will be necessary to keep up a humid atmo- 
Sphere, as this plant is very liable to be attacked by 
Ted spider. It is easily multiplied by cuttings of young 
wood under ordinary treatment.—Bot. Register. 
Garden Memoranda. 
Royal Botanic Garden, Regent's Park.—A. portion of 
the large conservatory, or winter garden, a model of 
Which has been in this garden for some time, is now in 
course of erection. It occupies about one-fourth of the 
original design, and incloses an area 175 feet in length 
and 75 feet in breadth. It consists of a series of cur- 
vilinear. span roofs, the centre one being 40 feet in 
height and 50 feet in width, and the two others on each 
Side of it being about 25 feet in height and the same in 
width. These are supported on rows of iron pillars, 
which are tubular, for the purpose of conducting rain- 
water from the roof to cisterns to be made available 
for watering the plants. The centre span has a semi- 
circular end, standing out about 25 feet from the front 
line of the building, forming the principal entrance 
in which the broad walk leading from the south gate 
terminates. A span roof of the same height and width 
as the others (25 ft.), starts from each side of the prin- 
cipal or centre arch, and extending along the front at 
right angles to the other roofs, presents a fine looking 
frontage resting on a perpendicular elevation of about 
properties, and of the genus Nasturtium, “said to have 
been so called from the effect its acrimony produces 
on the muscles of the nose—nasus tortus, signifying a 
convulsed nose.”* The common Cress is known as 
Nasturtium officinale, and presents two varieties, the 
green and the blue, which by cultivation have been 
rendered far superior to what they were in their wild 
state; being less acrid, and not so liable to contract 
the taste of slime and mud as those found in ditches 
and marshes. 50 years ago, a considerable proportion 
of the supply that found its way to the metropolitan 
market was gathered from the numerous little streams 
which intersect the meadows near the towns of New- 
bury and Hungerford, in the county of Berkshire, from 
which places it was brought in sacks by the stage- 
coachmen of the day, who shared in the profits of the 
sal The first attempts at regular cultivation in the 
neighbourhood of London, appear to have been made in 
the year 1808 at Springhead, a village near Gravesend. 
This plantation still exists, and is sometimes visited by 
the fi fthewel i i 
sisted of nothing more than bunches of marshy plants 
masked by a few sprigs of the genuine vegetable. 
In the winter of 1809, Monsieur Cardon, then prin- 
cipal director of the hospital chest of the grand army. 
was quartered with his staff at Erfurt, the capital of 
Upper Thuringia. Walking one day in the environs of 
the city, when the earth was covered with snow, he 
was astonished by the sight of several long trenches, 
from 10 to 12 feet in width, covered wit 
brilliant green. Curious to know the cause of what 
appeared to be a phenomenon at that season, he walked 
towards them, and perceived with the greatest surprise 
that the trenches formed a large plantation of Water- 
cress, presenting the aspect of a verdant carpet on & 
surface in every direction white with snow. In answer 
to his inquiries, M. Cardon learned that the plantations 
had existed for many years, and belonged to the autho- 
rities of the city, from whom they were rented by the 
cultivators at the annual sum of 24007. Since that 
time, however, their value has greatly increased. From 
enia 
q tering-p jus 
mentioned, for the purpose of regaling themselves with a 
fresh-plucked salad and bread and butter. Another 
plantation was afterwards commenced in Surrey, but 
subsequently abandoned. The culture, however, con- 
tinued to spread, particularly in localities favourably 
situated with regard to springs of water. Near Rick- 
h, in Hertfordshire, where there is a fine 
stream running over a chalky bottom, there are now 
about 15 acres under ivation. The Springhead 
| i nsists of 4 acres, while on the opposite 
10 feet, thus improving its general app , Which 
would otherwise be of a zigzag form. At each end of 
the building a curve, starting from the spring of the 
upper one, comes down near the ground, forming as it 
Were, a lean-to curvilinear house, of about 12 feet in 
width, but having no partition to divide it from the 
rest of the house. In regard to heating, this is to be 
effected by the agency of hot-water, which entering at 
One corner, is made to travel in six coils of 4-inch iron- 
Pipes round the whole area within a shortspace of the 
oundary, and in four pipes up and down the middle of 
the house. The pipes are to be inclosed in drains about 
3 feet in depth, which are connected with one another 
at right angles, by hollow chambers or drains for the 
purpose of conducting the heated air across the space 
intervening between one row of pipes and the other, 
the warm air rising through shafts closed in with iron 
gratings, and planted at distances varying from 15 to 
25 feet square throughout the entire area. In addition 
to the pipes, an iron tank, 2 feet in width and 6. inches 
in depth, passes all round the inside, close, to the glass, 
which comes down to the ground all the way round. 
This tank is furnished with openings for the escape of 
vapour, which can be closed when required, and an 
aperture covered with a grating is left along each side 
of the tank for allowing the heat radiated from the 
sides to escape into the atmosphere of the house. 
The whole is warmed by two of Burbidge and Healy’s 
ribbed boilers, each measuring 39 inches in width; 
each boiler is presumed to heat 2500 feet of 4-inch pipe. 
The chimney and boilers are at some distance from the 
house, to which the pipes are led through a covered 
drain. It is understood that, in the arrangement of 
the plants in this building, they are to be grouped, each 
mass comprising only one tribe, as Camellias, Heaths, 
Acacias, &c.; and that besides mere greenhouse plants, 
the culture of exotic Orchids, Palms, &e. is to be at- 
tempted in the warmer parts of the building. Ventila- 
tion is provided both at top and bottom—in the roof 
by the sashes being made to slide, and at bottom by a 
Series of doors moving outwards on hinges, thus answer- 
ing the double purpose of ventilation and affording 
Means of entrance to visitors wherever desirable. 
Miscellaneous. 
Water-cress.—Most persons are acquainted with the 
Water-cress and its salutary properties ; they know 
generally that it grows in brooks, and on the borders of 
fresh and running streams. Few, however, of those 
Who, in the busy thoroughfares or quiet suburbs of 
London, hear the cry of “ Water ere-e-ses,” or see in 
their daily walks the old red-cloaked women sorting the 
little bundles at the corners of streets, have any idea 
that the cultivation of this esculent now forms an im- 
Portant branch of horticultural and commercial in- 
dustry ; which, from the increasing consumption, and 
use made of the plant in pharmacy, is gradually rising 
into consequence. In the present day, the Water- 
cress may be found on almost every table, from the 
: highest to the lowest. It is one of the most powerful 
antiscorbuties with which we are acquainted, and is 
Said to possess the property of exciting the appetite and 
fortifying the stomach. e have no certain informa- 
tion that it is cooked in any part of England, as is oc- 
Casionally the case in France; but in the north of 
Jermany, to which country we owe its original cultiva- 
tion, it is boiled and eaten as Spinach. In an old bota- 
nical work,* we are told that the watery part of Tothill- 
fields, Westminster, was overrun with Water-cress, and 
that it grew on the banks of the Thames in several 
Places, "The same work also cnumerates many places 
in England where this refreshing vegetable was abun- 
dant ; and it is now known that, like many other of the 
Simple but useful produetions of Nature, which, in their 
Natural varieties, abound wherever they may be bene- 
cial to man, it is to be found in most parts of the 
World, Itis of the Cruciferous family, which compre- 
hends about 20 ies, al sessing high antiseorbutie 
Gardeners’ Dictionary. 1807, 
* Miller 
side of the Thames, at Waltham Abbey, in Essex, is 
another of 6 acres. These, though extensive, are in- 
sufficient to meet the demand of the huge poli 
published in 1830, we find that the annual 
return then amounted to more than 8000/.; and that 
the Cress, highly esteemed for its purity and superior 
qualities, was sold in all the cities on the Rhine, and in 
the markets at Berlin, at a distance of 120 miles from 
the place of its growth. M. Cardon foresaw the bene- 
fits that might be expected to arise from the introduc- 
tion of this branch of horticultural industry into the 
neighbourhood of Paris ; and, after a long search, found 
12 acres of a thin sandy alluvium at St. Leonard, in the 
valley of the Nonette, between Senlis and Chantilly, 
which, containing many beautifully limpid springs at a 
temperature of 59°, appeared to be well adapted for a 
ess pl i 
Other supplies are obtained from greater distances. 
From Uxbridge and Salisbury great quantities are for- 
warded to: London, packed in hampers, every day in 
the year excepting Sundays ; and some idea may be 
formed of the enormous consumption from the sum- 
total of the annual sales, which amounts to more than 
10,0007. The culture of Cress requires much attention 
and watehfulness, especially in winter, in which season, 
during a single night, a sharp frost may destroy a 
whole plantation, if too remote from the springs to re- 
tain their mild temperature. The ground is generally 
laid out in parallel trenches, separated by small mounds, 
on which succulent vegetables may be grown. The 
bottom should be covered with several inches of sandy 
vegetable earth, perfectly level and equalised, so that 
the water may have a regular flow in every part. The 
months of March and August are the most favourable 
‘or putting in the plants, which are generally set in 
suckers or tufts, 8 or 10 inches apart, A well-planted 
trench will be in full bearing after the first year, ac- 
cording to the temperature of the water and the nature 
of the soil. The activity of the vegetation depends 
particularly on the state of the atmosphere ; but if the 
plantation has been made with care, and the plants well 
chosen, it will require no other precautions, with the 
exception of occasional weedings, than those necessary 
to guard it from winter frosts, and the irruption of foul 
and muddy water in thaws and storms, In favourable 
seasons the Cress may be gathered every three weeks ; 
but in cold weather, two months are sometimes re- 
quired to bring the plants to perfection. After these 
gatherings, it is customary to roll and level the bottom 
of the trench, or to manure when required. A good 
plantation will last a long time ; but it should be re- 
newed by the same process as at first, whenever it shows 
signs of decay. Sometimes, in frosty weather, the 
supply of water is increased until the plants are com- 
pletely covered ; but as this submersion weakens them, 
it should not be continued longer than absolutely neces- 
sary. Mr. Loudon deseribes the process as follows :— 
“Some market gardeners, who can command a small 
stream of water, grow the Water-eress in beds sunk 
about a foot in a retentive soil, with a very gentle slope 
from one end to the other. Along the bottom of this 
bed, which may be of a convenient length and 
breadth, chalk or gravel is deposited, and the plants 
are inserted about 6 inches every way. Then, accord- 
ing to the slope and length of the bed, dams are made 
6 inches high across it, at intervals; so that when 
these dams are full, the water may rise not less than 
3 inches on all the plants included in each. The water 
being turned on, will circulate from dam to dam ; and 
the plants, if not allowed to run to flower, will afford 
abundance of young tops in all but the winter months. 
A stream of water no larger than what will fill a pipe 
of an ineh bore, will, if not absorbed by the soil, suffice 
to irrigate in this way an eighth of an acre. As some 
of the plants are apt to rot off in winter, the plantation 
should be laid dry two or three times a year, and all 
weeds and decayed parts removed, and vacancies filled 
up. Cress grown in this way, however, is far inferior 
to that grown in a living stream flowing over gravel or 
chalk.” The history of the cultivation of this plant on 
the Continent affords some interesting particulars, which 
serve to exemplify the advantages that accrue, with 
proper attention, from the apparently humblest objects. 
About the beginning of the present century, an attempt 
was made to form Cress grounds in the neighbourhood 
of Paris, similar to those then common on the banks 
of the Rhine, by the Count de Lasteyrie ; but without 
success ; while the markets of that capital were sup- 
plied only by persons who travelled to distances, some- 
times of 40 leagues, collecting the Cress wherever it 
could be found. The supply was seldom sufficient to 
satisfy the limited demand, although it frequently con- 
* Loudon. 
Encyclopædia of Plants, 
ress p He engaged two well-informed indi- 
viduals from Erfurt who were acquainted with the 
method of cultivation. The ground was laid out in 
trenches of 250 feet in length by 12 feet in breadth ; 
which were, however, afterwards reduced to one-half of 
those“dimensions, as it appeared that the water lost its 
natural temperature, and froze in the winter, by flowing 
over so large a surface. In a few years, after an ex- 
penditure of 32007., there were 92,000 square feet under 
cultivation. It was no longer the Cress clandestinely 
gathered, often in flower, or run to seed, that was ex- 
posed for sale in the French metropolis. The Cress of 
St. Leonard arrived, packed with a care to which the 
Parisians were strangers. Its freshness and purity 
were such, that the market-women, of their own ac- 
cord, offered double the usual price before any demand 
had been made ; and, in testimony of their high satis- 
faction, feasted the journeymen cultivator who had 
come to superintend the sale, and the waggoner, and 
sent them home decorated with ribbons and flowers. 
Much greater precautions appear to be taken in the 
packing and transport of the Cress in France than in 
this country. The French growers are particularly 
careful in warm weather, and guard the plants from 
exposure to the least storm, as they then turn yellow. 
They pack them in baskets, which contain from 25 to 
30 dozens of bunches, so arranged as to leave a cir- 
cular opening or chimney up the centre, which always 
remains empty. The baskets are then placed on rails 
fixed across a wagon, so as to permit a free current of 
air through all the openings; and in the summer, 
before putting on the tilt, the whole are well watered, 
to preserve their freshness during the night, and they 
are delivered at the market early in the morning in 
the most perfect condition. The regularity of the ar- 
rivals and constant freshness of the Cress sent every 
day from the grounds at St. Leonard, not only insured 
the success of the scheme, but brought forward a host 
of competitors. M. Cardon’s German workmen left 
him to rival establish ts ; and there are 
now in the environs of Paris 16 plantations, producing 
annually 1,350,000 dozens of bunches, valued at 
37,8002. ; and, adding the charges of transport, and ex- 
penses of all the individuals employed in this branch of 
trade, which, a few years ago, had no existence, the 
sum actually circulated amounts to not less than 
60,0007. Formerly, the sale in Paris seldom amounted 
to more than 20/7 daily in the best season ; while at 
the present time, a supply of not fewer than 20 waggon- 
loads, worth 2407, is required to meet the daily de- 
mand.— Chambers! Edinburgh Journal. 
Potato Disease at the Cape of Good Hope.—A friend 
has sent us the following interesting account of the ap- 
pearance of this formidable disease in the Cape Colony. 
It is an extract from a letter published in the “ Gra- 
ham’s Town Journal,” of January 3lst :—“ On the 
18th of September last, T planted 1 bushel of the kind 
of Potatoes known in London as Shaws, 1 bushel of 
Early Americans, 1 bushel of Reds (procured in Cape 
Town under the name of Berwick Reds), and 1 bushel 
of Ash-leaf Kidneys. All these, excepting the Kidneys, 
were imported from England, not long before they were 
planted ; the manure applied to them was stable dung. 
Up to the end of October they were strong and vi- 
gorous. All at once the Americans began to yellow in 
the leaf, and upon examination, I found the stems close 
to the ground had shrivelled up. In fact, they had all 
the appearance of having been hardly pressed between 
the finger and thumb. For two or three weeks they 
went on in this state, being anything but pleasant 
to look at. At last I determined. to uproot them. 
Fancy my astonishment to find at least a fourth of the 
full-grown tubers completely rotten, and at least a half 
more all but covered with dark blue spots. I caused them 
to be spread out on the surface, under the influence 
of an African sun, which so completely dried or roasted 
| them that in the evening the diseased parts fell off in 
the most . 
, 
