346 SALAD PLANTS. 



thinly, broadcast, in a hot-bed ; and. when the plants have 

 made two or three leaves, they are pricked out to three or 

 four inches apart in another portion of the bed, thus 

 affording them more space for growth, and opportunity to 

 acquire strength and hardiness. When two or three inches 

 high, they are finally transplanted into yet another part of 

 the bed, at distances corresponding with the size of the 

 variety, varying from ten to fourteen inches in each direc- 

 tion. As the plants increase in size, the quantity of air 

 should be increased ; and water should be given, whenever 

 the surface of the bed becomes dry. In severe cold or in 

 cloudy weather, and almost always at night, straw matting 

 (made thick and heavy for the purpose), woollen carpeting, 

 or a similar substitute, should be extended over the glass for 

 the retention of heat. 



Some practise transplanting directly from the nursery-bed 

 to Avhere the plants are to remain ; but the finest Lettuce is 

 generally obtained by the treatment above described. 



" Lettuces are sometimes required for cutting young, or 

 when about two inches high. These are termed, by the 

 French, Laitaes d couper. The small, early sorts (such as 

 the Hardy Hammersmith and Black-seeded Gotte) are pre- 

 ferred for this purpose ; but any sort that is green or pale 

 green, and not brown or otherwise colored, will do. They 

 should be sown in the open ground about once a week, or 

 every ten days, from April, throughout the season. In win- 

 ter they are best raised on heat. They should be sown 

 rather thickly in drills six inches apart." Tliomp. 



To save Seed. " This should be done from plants raised 

 from early sowings. The finest specimens should be selected, 

 avoiding, however, those that show a disposition to run 

 quickly to seed. Those that heart readily, and yet are slow 

 to run up, are to be preferred. Care should be taken that 

 no two different varieties be allowed to seed near each other, 



