CABBAGE LETTUCES 149 



Each plant is lifted with a " ball " of soil round the 

 roots, and any dead or decaying leaves at the base 

 are carefully picked off. Care must also be taken 

 not to place the " collar " of the plant too low in the 

 soil, otherwise the lower leaves come in contact with 

 the moist earth, and may be attacked by mildew. 



After the plants are in position, a sprinkling of 

 tepid water may be given to settle the soil round them, 

 No air, however, is given to these early crops of " Crepe " 

 Lettuces, and once established it is even dangerous 

 to give them water overhead. If the manure in the 

 pathways is kept wet they will secure sufficient mois- 

 ture by capillary attraction (see p. 15). Protection 

 from frost by covering with mats at night and by 

 placing dry manure or litter round the cloches or 

 frames must also be attended to as required. 



This first crop of " Crepe " Lettuces ought to be 

 ready for sale by the beginning of December, or even 

 by the end of November, according to the season. 



The Lettuce plants are frequently examined and 

 any decaying leaves are carefully removed to prevent 

 the spread of mildew. 



Second and Successive Crops of l( Crepe " Lettuces. 

 About every fortnight seeds may be sown to keep up 

 a succession. Many growers, however, substitute the 

 "George" Gotte Lettuce for the "Crepe" for the 

 sowings at the end of February and during March. 



The sowings of " Crepe " Lettuce made in October, 

 November, and December are always made by them- 

 selves ; but those made at the end of December, 

 January, February, and beginning of March may be 

 intercropped with Cauliflowers. Besides, they are 

 made on the same beds as the preceding, which will 



