POPULAR VARIETIES OF GARDEN VEGETABLES. 



213 



Kohl Eabi is that it suffers less from severe drouth than the turnip, and there- 

 fore a crop is almost certain. This being so, it must be well adapted to cul- 

 ture in many sections of our country. 



LETTUCE. 



Lettuce is divided into two classes : the Cahhage, with round head and broad, 

 spreading leaves ; and the Cos, with long head and upright, narrow leaves. 



The Cabbage varieties are 

 the most tender and but- 

 tery, and the Cos the most 

 crisp and refreshing. In 

 Europe, the Cos varieties 

 are used very generally. 

 They are the most liked by 

 dealers, because they will 

 carry better and keep 

 louger in good condition 

 than the cabbage sorts. 

 There are several varieties 

 with loose, curled leaves, 

 having the habit of the 

 cabbage, though not form- 

 ing solid heads, and are 

 very pretty for garnishing, 

 but otherwise not equal to 

 the plain sorts. Seed 

 sown in the autumn will come in quite early in the spring, but not early 

 enough to satisfy the universal relish for early salad. The hot-bed, therefore, 

 must be started quite early. Give but little heat, and plenty of air and water 

 on fine days. Sow a couple of rows thick, in the front of the frame, to be used 

 when young, — say two inches in height. Let the plants in the rest of the bed 

 be about three inches apart, and, as they become thick, remove every alternate 

 one. Keep doing so, as required, and the last will be as large as cabbages. 

 Sow in the open ground as early as possible ; or, if you have plants from fall 

 sowing, transplant them to a rich soil, giving plenty of room, and hoe well. 

 We give engravings showing the appearance of the Cabbage, Cos, and Curled 

 varieties. 



MAKTTNTA. 



The Martyuia is a hardy annual plant of robust growth, and some of the 

 varieties are somewhat grown as flowering plants. 

 M. prohoscidea produces its curious seed-pods, 

 shown in the engraving, quite abundantly, and 

 these, when tender, are prized by a good many for 

 pickling. They should be gathered before getting fibrous or " stringy." A lit- 

 tle experience will soon make the matter of selecting easy. 



MELOX. 



Those who have their homes a little further south than Kochester, in Mary- 

 land, Delaware, Virginia, and in most of our western and all southern States, 

 enjoy a luxury in the melon crop of which many northern peoj^le have but 

 little idea. We once very much astonished some kind friends in England 

 because we preferred well-ripened English gooseberries to some melons that had 



