COMMONPLACE NOTES. 



597 



Watercress. 



Attention has recently been called to the risk of eating Watercress 

 unless direct knowledge is obtainable as to the way in which it has been 

 grown, as much of it is said to be cultivated in beds to which sewage 

 from various sources finds its way. A Fellow points out how easily it 

 can be grown in almost any vegetable garden. Choose for convenience 

 a spot near a garden tap ; take off 4 inches or so of the surface soil from 

 a plot, say 3 ft. by 2 ft., and slightly puddle the sides and bottom with 

 clay, but not ramming it so firmly as to prevent the water percolating 

 sufficiently to avoid stagnation. Nearly fill this artificial basin with 

 good soil, and in early spring plant it with cuttings of fresh clean 

 Watercress obtained from a wholesome source. Keep the soil moist, 

 and the cuttings will soon spread and cover the bed, and if small clean 

 pebbles can be strewn over the surface they will keep the roots moist and 

 the leaves clean when the heavy rain would otherwise spatter them with 

 mud. Seed can be used if good clean cuttings are not obtainable, but 

 several weeks' growth is gained by planting cuttings. 



Camellias in the Open Air. 



It is somewhat astonishing how comparatively few people who possess 

 gardens are aware how hardy the Camellia is in the open air. That it is 

 hardier than the Common Laurel was proved during the very severe 

 frosts that we had ten years ago, when the Laurels were cut down to the 

 ground but the Camellias were uninjured. There were for many years 

 fine plants 10 to 12 feet high in the Society's gardens at Chiswick which 

 scarcely had a leaf injured during that memorable frost. At Chiswick 

 they grew behind a north wall in bush form, and every year they flowered 

 most profusely. In several other places we have seen Camellias a great 

 success outside, but in every instance the trees have been sheltered from 

 the east, not that they would not stand the cold winds from that quarter, 

 but after a very sharp frost the sun striking on the plants early seems 

 to inflict damage on the foliage. In any other position facing to any 

 other point of the compass they appear to be perfectly happy. One 

 other item may be mentioned, viz. that a windy situation is not favourable 

 at the time of flowering, as the blossoms get damaged and disfigured by 

 knocking against each other. Provided there is a good escape for all 

 surplus water, they do not appear at all fastidious about soil, making 

 themselves at home almost immediately and holding their own with 

 other shrubs which are not of more vigorous habit. The best time to 

 plant is the middle of May, when everything is favourable for active 

 growth both above and below the surface of the soil. Before planting, 

 the ball of the plant ought to be thoroughly moist, and if dry weather 

 follows a copious supply of water should be given occasionally throughout 

 the first two summers after planting. 



Imports and Exports. 



The December 1903 Trade and Navigation Returns, which were issued 

 in January last, include particulars of the imports and exports of the 

 whole of the twelve months of 1903, and the following Tables have been 



