156 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



them may be associated the " Dutch Red " (Rousse 

 de Hollande) and the " Presbytery " Lettuce. 



English growers should bear in mind the difference 

 in taste between French and English people. Gener- 

 ally speaking, brown or red-tinted Lettuces no 

 matter how excellent they may be do not sell so 

 readily in the English markets as they do in Paris. 



" GRISE " OR LARGE BROWN PARESSEUSE LETTUCES. 

 Under these names the French market-gardeners grow 

 thousands of Cabbage Lettuces, which are apparently 

 the same as those known in England as " Giant 



Summer Lettuces" 

 (fig. 44). The first 

 crop is sown about 

 the end of February 

 or beginning of 

 March on a hot-bed 

 or in a frame. As 

 there is no necessity 

 for such care at this 

 season of the year 

 as is necessitated by 



the autumn crops, the young plants may be trans- 

 ferred when ready direct from the seed-bed to their 

 final quarters in the open frames. The labour of 

 pricking out is thus saved. The plants are 15 to 

 18 in. apart, and during dry weather are kept well 

 watered or mulched with old manure, so as to keep 

 them crisp and tender. Sowings of " Grise " Lettuces 

 may be made every fortnight until July, those during 

 the summer being made in shady places in the open. 



WINTER CABBAGE LETTUCES. There are now about 

 half a dozen kinds of Cabbage Lettuce grown in frames 



FIG. 44. GRISE OR GIANT SUMMER 

 CABBAGE LETTUCE. 



