486 VILLA GARDENING part v 



and well -worked with fork or rake to get it thoroughly inter- 

 mixed. Shade with branches or Rhubarb leaves, or mats laid 

 on the ground till the seeds germinate. A covering of manure 

 3 inches thick between the rows of Lettuce will do more good 

 than watering, even if it be done daily. The mulch should be 

 placed on early in the life of the plants if the summer is hot and 

 dry, so that it may settle down and some of the nutriment be 

 extracted from it for the use of the crop just at the time it is 

 needed. All Lettuces are the better for being tied up for a few 

 days. The work of even tliose which naturally fold their hearts 

 up closely is done all the better by having the leaves drawn 

 up a little round the heart. Cabbage Lettuces should form no 

 exception to tliis rule. 



Sowing for Autumx and Winter. — This should take place 

 about the middle of July, and again in tlie first and third weeks 

 of August. The plants raised in July should be planted in any 

 nice open situation that has been well cultivated. If slugs or 

 snails have been troublesome to previous crops, the ground should 

 have a dressing of soot and lime. Make the first August sowing 

 on a ridge with a southern exposure or else on a warm south 

 border. A portion of the plants raised at the last sowing should 

 remain in the seedbed all the winter. One part should be planted 

 out in a sheltered corner, and another in a frame ; and if there is 

 an Orchard-house, some may be planted in a light position there, 

 or potted in 5-inch pots and grown on a shelf near tlie glass. 

 As regards their culture in frames, where Melons are grown on 

 dungbeds they will all be cleared out by September, as a rule ; 

 and, if the soil is turned over and a little fresh loam and leaf- 

 mould added, the young Lettuces may be planted out in the bed 

 towards the end of October. The best Lettuces for winter are 

 Tom Thumb Cabbage, Black -seeded Bath Cos, and Hick's 

 Hardy White Cos. They are hardy in constitution and not so 

 liable to suffer from damp and mildew as others are. If the 

 soil is not near enough to the glass — say, within a foot — it 

 shoidd be raised. As the space is valuable tlie most should be 

 made of it, and I find that the best way to do this is to plant 

 the Brown Cos and Tom Thumb Cabbage alternately, the former 

 12 inches apart, and the Tom Tliumb in the centre of the spaces 

 between the Cos; the Tom Thumb will tm-n in, and be used 

 before the Cos requires all the sfDace. The soil should be in a 

 nice moist condition when the plants are set out, and water given 

 when required, which will not be often in winter, as the frames 

 should be kept nearly closed. All needful ventilation must be 

 given by tilting the lights up a couple of inches at the back. 



