152 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



cold and the frosts become severe, the plants must 

 be protected by dry litter or mats. 



About the end of January or early in February 

 the " Gotte " Lettuces will be ready for planting under 

 cloches or in frames, the soft, and beds in which have 

 been prepared for their reception in the meantime. 

 The cloches having been arranged on beds which 

 should be at least i ft. thick, about 4^ ft. wide, 

 and with about 4 in. of nice gritty mould on top 

 three " Gotte " Lettuces are planted under each glass, 

 as shown in the diagram (fig. 47), without a Cos 

 Lettuce in the centre, however. 



In the frames, from which probably the " Crepe " 

 varieties have been gathered, and which have been 

 re-made, 36 or 42 plants may be placed under each 

 light. They are then gently watered in and air is 

 excluded for three or four days to encourage root 

 action and new growth. Afterwards air is given as 

 freely as the weather will permit, until ready for 

 market, which is generally about the end of March 

 for those planted in January, and in April for those 

 planted in February. 



Intercropping. Very often before the earlier crops 

 of Lettuce are planted, Radishes are sown on the 

 beds ; while with the later crops, Radishes and 

 Carrots are also sown, although some prefer to inter- 

 crop with Cauliflowers. As soon as the first crops * 

 have been gathered, the beds are re-made and prepared 

 for those to follow them. 



For the crops that are planted in March, many 

 growers substitute cloches for frames, if Carrots have 

 not been sown previously. Four Cabbage Lettuces 

 and one Cos Lettuce in the centre are planted beneath 



