LOCUST-TREK. 193 



to stand till of stocky growth. In dry weather, water well 

 at transplanting; also weed and hoe the beds thinned, 

 and water them, if necessary. In the first heading-crop of 

 Cos lettuces, when about three parts grown, and beginning 

 to close the inner leaves, a number may be forwarded in 

 cabbaging, by tying the leaves together, moderately close, 

 with strings of bass ; the remainder will head and whiten 

 in due time, without this assistance. 



Crop raised on heat. " For an accelerated crop, some 

 may be sown in the beginning or middle of February, on a 

 gentle hot-bed. When the plants are one or two inches 

 high, in March or April, prick a portion either into a warm 

 border, if a mild season, and let them be shielded with 

 mats, during nights and bad weather ; or into a frame or 

 slender hot-bed, to bring them more forward. According 

 to their progress in April or May, transplant them into the 

 open garden, from six to twelve inches asunder, to remain 

 for heading." 



To save seed. " Leave or transplant either some of the 

 early winter-standing plants, in March or April, or of the 

 forwardest spring-sown crops, in May, or the beginning of 

 June, fifteen inches asunder. They will produce ripe seed 

 in August or September." Abercrombie. 



Use. The use of lettuce, as a cooling and agreeable 

 salad, is well known ; it is also a useful ingredient in soups.- 

 It has medical properties, similar to those of opium. The 

 refuse leaves are said to be good food for geese, ducks, and 

 swine. 



LOCUST-TREE. Robinia pseudo-acacia. This tree 

 is a native of the United States. 



Method of cultivation. "It is capable of being raised 

 from the seed, cuttings, layers and suckers ; but the seed 

 method is said to afford the best plants. The seeds should 

 be sown about the end of March, or beginning of the fol- 

 lowing month, on a bed of light mould, being covered to the 

 depth of about half an inch. The plants usually appear in 

 the course of six or eight weeks. They should be well 

 weeded and watered, and, when sufficiently strong, should 

 be set out in the spring, or autumn, in nursery rows, for 

 iwo or three years, in order to remain to have a proper 

 growth for final planting." Rees' Cyclopedia. 



Dr. Drown, of Rhode Island, says, that " The easiest 

 method of raising the locust is as follows : Plant fifteen or 

 twenty trees on an acre, and, when fifteen or twenty feet 

 run straggling furrows through the ground, and, 

 17 



