importance to the quality of the crop. The best sorts of cresses are then selected, that most in request is known as the Dutch Brown, from the shade of colour it takes when it has reached maturity. The plants are placed in rows, generally with stones upon them, to prevent their being removed by the flow of the water. All this is done at considerable expense; besides which it is necessary to guard the beds from attacks of birds, especially the blackbird, whose ravages at certain seasons are of a very serious character. By regulating the height of the water in the various divisions a proper succession in the ripening of the crop is secured. The cutting is performed either by wading in waterproof boots between the rows, or by placing moveable planks across the beds. The washing and packing in hampers or baskets finishes the operation. The growth of this simple and indigenous plant is daily on the increase; the letting the ditches for this purpose is more profitable to the landowner than the irrigation of the meadows, if it could be done; the rent cannot be estimated by the acreage under cultivation. Such sums as 40l., 50l., and upwards are often paid by persons who have little capital but their industry, and employ a great proportionate amount of other labour in gaining their living.
Cherry-Orchards.
In the western parts of the county the cherry-orchards occupy so considerable a portion of the soil, and form so great an item in the rural economy, as to demand attention. They are generally found at a high elevation, where there is a considerable depth of loam, clay, or gravel, naturally drained by the chalk beneath. The great age of many of the trees shows that their culture is of ancient date, as also appears from the agricultural histories of Hertfordshire. It does not seem that these orchards have been extended of late years, in spite of the access to the Manufacturing Districts afforded by the introduction of railways. The great drawback to the cultivation is the precarious nature of the crop, which is very often destroyed in a single night by an untimely frost, apart from other casualties to which fruit-crops are liable. The fruit is generally sold on the trees to dealers, and realises from 12s. to 16s. per “ped” or basket, holding about four dozen pounds. The sorts grown, though not confined to the county, are characteristic of Hertfordshire. These are known as the Caroon, the largest sort, and small Hertfordshire black. Besides the usual uses, they are converted into cherry brandy, and, if report says true, enter very largely into the composition of other liquors, to which they do not give their name. They are also used for the purpose of dyeing.
