CABBAGE LETTUCES 147 



posed to the south if possible, and be higher at the 

 back than at the front, the width being the regulation 

 one of 4|- ft. 



Three rows of cloches are placed on each raised bed. 

 Under each cloche twenty-four or thirty Lettuces are 

 pricked out (see figs. 37-8), the outer row being about 

 2 in. away from the rim of the glass so that the young 

 plants may not be injured by frost. In the event 

 of any becoming frosted they should be pulled out 

 and thrown away, as they rarely heart up properly 

 afterwards. 



FIG. 37. SHOWING HOW 24 SEED- FIG. 38. SHOWING HOW 30 SEED- 

 LINGS ARE TO BE PRICKED OUT LINGS ARE TO BE PRICKED OUT 

 UNDER A CLOCHE. UNDER A CLOCHE. 



The young plants are usually pricked out with the 

 finger, as there are fewer failures in this way than if a 

 dibber or a pointed stick is used. It is also a quicker 

 way of pricking out a large number of plants, and 

 French gardeners are often whole days at a time on 

 their knees at this particular work. 



When the work is finished, the young plants are 

 lightly sprinkled over with tepid water, and no air 

 is given for a few days. 



When frames are used, they are placed in a position 

 sloping towards the south. They are filled up with 

 mould to within 3 or 4 in. of the lights. A layer of 



