SECT. XV. OF ESCULENTS. 227 



run up fe foon for feed as the other forts, and are there- 

 fore proper for late fuminer ufe. To forward early 

 fpring fown ones, a flight hot-hed may be made, and by 

 all means ought to be fome time in February, if thofe 

 that were to have flood the winter are cut off. When 

 thefe plants are an inch high, they mould be pricked out, 

 four inches afunder, upon another gentle hot-bed ; and 

 when they meet, or are four or five inches high, draw 

 every other to plant out in open ground, and let the reft 

 remain to cabbage. 



Winter lettuces, that are forward, are more likely to 

 be deftroyed than the fmaller, as the wet hangs in them ; 

 let them be covered with frames, hand-glafles, or hoops 

 and mats ; but covered plants muft have a great deal of 

 air at all opportunities. Winter lettuces require a dry 

 foil and fnuation, and a wet one is helped by planting 

 them on hillocks, which is a method that frequently 

 laves them from rotting : Thofe in the open ground are 

 often deftroyed by grubs lurking about the roots, which- 

 evil mould be feen to, if fufpecied. 



To \\3xtfine whiter lettuces, fome of the forwarder! 

 nay be taken up with balls of earth about them in 

 November, and planted at nine or ten inches diftance, 

 on a fome what ftrong hot-hed, which, as foon as the 

 great heat is certainly over, Ihould be covered with fix 

 or feven inches- of dry mould for the purpole, but give' 

 a little water juft about the roots : Line the bed when 

 it gets cooL Lettuces muft be well attended to ; to- 

 give them plenty of air, pick off dead leaves, cover on 

 nights, &c. Frequently ftir the furface of the mould, 

 and give water as occafion may dictate.. The cabbage 

 lettuce fucceeds beft in hot-beds. 



Tying lettuces with bajs, from the middle upwards, 

 when about three parts grown, will fomewhat help 

 them to whiten and cabbage ; but let this bufinefs be 

 clone carefully. Some gardeners do not think it worth 

 while to practice it ; and indeed, right good forts (as 

 to feed) will cabbage themfelves, and open ones it is 



L6 of 



