826 The Cultivation of Watercress. [feb., 



THE CULTIVATION OF WATERCRESS. 

 J. C. Newsham, F.L.S. 



Hampshire Farm School, Basing. 



For the past five or six years the cultivation of Watercress 

 (Nasturtium officinale) cannot be regarded as having been 

 very remunerative; nevertheless it continues to be grown 

 extensively in many districts in the South of England ; and, 

 being in demand as a salad at all times, provides employment 

 for both men and women throughout the year, excepting two 

 or three months in summer when the plants are flowering and 

 producing seed. 



The industry suffered somewhat considerably some years 

 ago by plants being grown in water contaminated by sewage, 

 and in pools more or less in a state of stagnation ; of late 

 years, however, such beds as these have almost disappeared, 

 and it can safely be said that watercress is now cultivated 

 under most perfect hygienic conditions. At that period, when 

 the public mind was prejudiced against watercress, on account 

 of the impurities that it might contain, the common garden 

 cress (Lepidium sativum) found more favour as a salad, as 

 also did the American or Land Cress (Barbarea prcecox), the 

 latter being extensively grown ; and on account of its resem- 

 blance to watercress in flavour it did much towards lessening 

 the demand for aquatic varieties of cress. The fact that it can 

 be sown for succession from March till September is also 

 another point in its favour. 



Watercress is a hardy perennial, which is found growing 

 wild in streams and ditches, and is a native of Britain. Under 

 cultivation it cannot be equalled as a salad, and, apart from 

 its appetising and refreshing flavour, it possesses important 

 medicinal and health-giving properties, which deserve to be 

 better known and appreciated among all classes of society. 

 The plant contains sulphur in various forms, and is rich in 

 mineral matter. Like mustard, it contains an aromatic oil 

 to which it owes its pungent taste, and to some extent its 

 medicinal value. 



Varieties. — There are several varieties of watercress, but 

 the two most common are Brown-leaved or Winter Cress, 

 and the Green-leaved or Summer cress ; the former variety is 

 most in demand, and its cultivation is principally restricted 



