Cress, Water
(Nasturtium officinale). Water Cress is in great demand at all times, excepting in two or three of the summer months, when the plants are flowering and producing their seed. It is a hardy perennial and a native of Britain, where it grows in ditches and small streams. The best quality is obtained from shallow streams of running water, free from mud if possible, as the latter spoils the flavour. Propagation is effected by seed, or by division of the plants. Water Cress may be cultivated in soil if a suitable place cannot be obtained to grow it in water, but the produce is inferior. If required to be grown in the ground, a shady, cool position should be chosen, and the seed sown in spring, in shallow drills, thinning the plants to 6in. when large enough. The soil must be kept constantly moist by watering. In autumn, some plants may be placed in pans, and transferred to a warm house to keep up a supply during winter. The advantages are many if a shallow stream can be obtained. Well-rooted young specimens should be selected; and, when established, the more the tops are gathered, the better,as the plants are thereby induced to produce more. The motion of the water prevents its freezing in winter, consequently the Cress may be gathered at any time. Special shallow ponds, with appliances for drawing all the water off when required, are the best means of cultivation; but such a system cannot, in the majority of cases, be followed. There are two or three forms of Water Cress; but there is not much difference in flavour when grown under the same conditions. The large Brown-leaved is the one most preferred in the market, but the Green-leaved is said to be of the easiest culture.