828 The Cultivation of Watercress. [feb., 



Locality. — In selecting a locality for the formation of beds, 

 it is necessary to consider carefully the distance from a rail- 

 way station and the facilities offered for quick transit at 

 moderate rates. If the area under cultivation is small and 

 situated several miles from a station or convenient market, the 

 cost of carriage may be prohibitive. 



Soil. — Much of the success of watercress growing depends 

 on the soil. Beds having a bottom composed of gravelly 

 loam are to be preferred to any others, as a firm bottom 

 enables the workers to move more freely through the water, 

 and the roots are also kept well nourished. Chalk is another 

 suitable bottom when covered lightly with loam, so as to 

 afford a medium wherein the plants may root. Loose sandy 

 loam, pure clay, and peaty soils are to be avoided, as they 

 cause much additional expenditure in keeping in order. Sand 

 and peat bottoms usually require making up with chalk, as a 

 means of preventing the downward filtration of the water. 

 Excellent beds are, however, to be found overlying peat, but 

 they are less remunerative to the owners than those with a 

 gravel bottom. 



Formation of Beds. — No definite rules can be laid down 

 with reference to the depth, length, breadth, and general form 

 of the beds ; the depth will depend on the level of the springs, 

 which in many instances are close to the surface. Beds are 

 better slightly sloped, so that the water may force its way 

 more freely through the foliage, yet without in any way dis- 

 turbing the soil beneath. Where the stream assumes a con- 

 siderable breadth, it is found necessary to construct gangways 

 composed of fibrous turf, chalk, boards, or some other suit- 

 able material. In many cases it is necessary to dam sections 

 of the stream in order to hold back the water, thereby afford- 

 ing facilities for cleaning out and repairing the beds, and, 

 if need be, for submerging the plants during periods of hard 

 frost, which would otherwise do considerable damage to the 

 young foliage, and arrest the growth of the plants. 



Propagation. — The general method of propagation is by 

 division of the plants, and is usually commenced between 

 hay-making and harvest, and continued until the end of 

 October. The top of the plant is pinched, or cut out, the 

 length of the cutting or divided portion generally averaging 



