314 SALAD PLANTS. 



or making beds six feet broad, and planting across them, set- 

 ting the rows fourteen inches apart, and the plants eight 

 inches apart in the lines. They may be earthed up as 

 they advance, or not until they have attained the height of 

 a foot." Mclnt. 



Mclntosh gives the following method, practised by the 

 Edinburgh market-gardeners : " Trenches, six feet wide and 

 one foot deep, are dug out ; the bottom is loosened and well 

 enriched, and the plants set in rows across the bed, fourteen 

 inches asunder, and the plants nine inches apart in the rows. 

 By this means space is economized, and the plants attain a 

 fair average size and quality. The same plan is very often 

 followed in private gardens ; and, where the new and im- 

 proved sorts are grown, they arrive at the size most available 

 for family use. This is one of the best methods for amateurs 

 to grow this crop. They should grow their plants in the 

 temporary or nursery beds until they are ten inches or a foot 

 high, before planting in the trenches, giving plenty of water, 

 and afterwards earthing up once a fortnight." 



Some allow the- plants to make a natural growth, and 

 earth up at once, about three weeks before being required 

 for use. When so treated, the stalks are of remarkable 

 whiteness, crisp, tender, and less liable to russet-brown spots 

 than when the plants are blanched by the more common 

 method. 



Taking the Crop. Before the closing up of the ground, 

 the principal part of the crop should be carefully taken up 

 (retaining the roots and soil naturally adhering), and re- 

 moved to the cellar, where they should be packed in mod- 

 erately moist earth or sand, without covering the ends of the 

 leaves. i .-: 



A portion may be allowed to remain in the open ground ; 

 but the hearts of the plants must be protected from wet 

 weather. This may be done by placing boards lengthwise, 



