By Henry Bellenden Ker, Esq. 541 



produced from springs which rise in the swampy mea- 

 dows bordering on the river Colne, and which have their 

 sources not far distant from the spot he cultivates ; it is essen- 

 tial that the plantations should be made in fresh or newly- 

 risen spring water, as the plants not only thrive better in it, 

 but in consequence of its being rarely frozen, they generally 

 continue in vegetation, and in good state for gathering 

 through the whole winter season. The large space under 

 cultivation at West Hyde has been gained by cutting away 

 the banks of the streams, and thus widening the courses which 

 were originally narrow ; in the beds of water thus artificially 

 formed a uniform depth is preserved, and the whole bottom 

 is covered with clear gravel. 



This cultivation of the Water Cress has insured a constant 

 and regular supply to the metropolis, and the gatherings are 

 received much fresher and more regularly packed than 

 those obtained from plants in the wild state, where little se- 

 lection is made, as to the quality, or attention paid to the 

 state of the vegetable, which is usually sent up to town in 

 sacks, and often much bruised and broken before it reaches 

 the retail dealer. 



It should be added, that since the cultivated Water Cress 

 has been sent to market, the wholesale price is reduced one 

 half; Mr. Bradbery is not aware that any one cultivated 

 the Water Cress prior to the time he first planted it at North- 

 fleet. 



I learn that there are two small establishments for the cultiva- 

 tion of the Water Cress in the neighbourhood of Hackney, the 

 produce of which is taken to the Spitalfields market ; one of 



