538 On the Cultivation of the Water Cress. 



in the market, and indeed, I should suppose also from 

 there being a lesser proportion of stalk to the leaf. They 

 are varieties of the same species, (Nasturtium officinale *) 

 but they»are not noticed as sucfi in the Hortus Kewensis, 

 or in any other botanical work-f- ; their difference does 

 not appear to arise from the variation of the quality or 

 quantity of the water in which the plants are found, for the 

 three may be seen growing together, though Mr. Bradbery 

 states that some are more fitted than others for parti- 

 cular waters, the Green-leaved is easiest of cultivation, and 

 the Small Brown-leaved is the hardiest; the Large Brown- 

 leaved is the only sort he cultivates ; it is the only one which 

 can be well grown in situations where shallow water is not to 

 be obtained. 



It was soon perceived that the plants grew better, and had 

 a superior flavour, when disposed in rows parallel with the 

 course of the stream, than when left in irregular patches. When 

 in rows, the plants are more regularly exposed to the influ- 

 ence of the current, and the water is not so much impeded in 

 its course, because there are regular open channels between 

 the rows. The Cress is also more easily gathered from the 

 rows, and more readily freed from weeds, and the different 

 matters which pass down the stream and become entangled 

 with the plants. 



Mr. Bradbery having left Northrleet last year, began to 



* Hortus Kewensis, Vol. iv. page 1 10. — Sisymbrium Nasturtium. Willdenow, 

 Species Plantarum, Vol. iii. page 489 —English Botany, plate 855. 



t In Ray's Synopsis of British Plants, 3rd edition, page 301, a variety is 

 mentioned, which bios cms oarlitr .md has > mailer leaves. 



