154 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



frost, and ventilation being the same as already 

 described. The " George " Lettuces planted in 

 February are generally fit for " pulling " by the 

 end of March. At this period the'* George " Lettuces 

 may also be planted in the open air on a warm and 

 sheltered border, the young plants having been pre- 

 viously raised and pricked out under cloches. These 

 open-air Lettuces " heart up " during May. 



THE " PALATINE " OR " RED " CABBAGE LETTUCE. 

 -This Lettuce (fig. 42) with which may be associated 



other varieties known as 

 the "All the Year Round" 

 (Merveille des Quatre 

 Saisons) and " Brown 

 Champagne" (brune de 

 Champagne) is sown in the 

 latter half of October under 



FIG. 42-PALATiNE CABBAGE Q oches and Qn raise d 



.LETTUCE. 



sloping beds, the treatment 



being precisely the same as for the " Gotte " and 

 " George " Lettuces. Air is given freely on all favour- 

 able occasions when the young plants have become 

 established, and the cloches are even taken off alto- 

 gether on fine days so as to keep the plants strong 

 and sturdy. 



During March the young plants are taken from 

 their winter quarters and transferred to warm sheltered 

 borders ; and towards the end of the same month 

 or early in April plantations may be made in the 

 open or on old beds. The soil beforehand should have 

 been deeply dug and levelled, and if a good layer of 

 old mould has been spread over it, so much the better. 

 The plants are spaced out about a foot apart in straight 



