830 The Cultivation of Watercress. [feb., 



common practice, however, is to drop the plants into the 

 water at regular distances after the beds have been recharged 

 with water. 



Gathering and Bunching. — As with all perishable goods, 

 the question of marketing is an all-important one, and 

 demands strict attention to detail. One acre of beds will 

 usually keep three men employed throughout the cutting 

 season, the number being reduced to one man for the winter 

 months. A good man, well up to his work, w 7 ill cut as many 

 as 100 dozen bunches per day; for this and other operations 

 performed in the water the men are provided with water- 

 tight boots, which must be of good quality and may cost from 

 £2 1 os. to £3 per pair. Should the bottom of the beds be 

 boggy, it will be found necessary for the men to stand on 

 boards placed under the water and over the cress which has 

 already been cut. 



The bunching and tying is generally done by women, who 

 receive on an average \d. per dozen bunches, a good hand 

 being able to earn from 15s. to 185. per week. 



In gathering, it is important to select the stems or shoots 

 that are most forward in growth ; thus it is not always advis- 

 able to pay gatherers by piece work ; growers usually know 

 their men, and a reliable man may receive 25s. per week 

 during the season, and 18s. to £1 during the winter. By 

 selecting only the stronger growths and leaving the weaker 

 ones, the beds will be ready for cutting again in a much 

 shorter time. Growers with a reputation at stake always 

 .make a point of washing their cress before bunching. 



Conveyance to Market. — Much of the cress which is con- 

 signed to towns in the North of England is sent by passenger 

 train; whereas the general consignments for the London 

 markets are conveyed by goods train. The packages used are 

 either flats, which hold on an average 18 dozen bunches; or 

 two-bushel hampers, capable of holding from 30 to 36 dozen 

 bunches in cold weather, and about 24 dozen when the weather 

 is warm. The hollow packing in warm weather admits air, 

 thereby preventing heating, which readily destroys the colour 

 and freshness of the foliage ; not infrequently a small block 

 of ice is placed in the centre of the basket, and this has a good 

 effect. Of recent years large quantities have been sent to 



