SPRING LETTUCES 163 



frames have been cleared, the surface is prepared for 

 a second crop. 



About the end of February or early in March, if the 

 weather is at all favourable, six rows of " Paris Market 

 Cos " Lettuces (Grise maraichere) may be planted be- 

 tween the cloches under each of which a Lettuce is 

 already well established. It will be seen from the 

 diagram that each row of cloches is flanked by two 

 rows of Lettuces one in front and one behind and 

 that the exposed Lettuces are planted in the spaces 

 between the cloches. It thus happens that there are 

 nine rows of Lettuces on each bed six being open 

 and three under cloches (see fig. 48). 



As soon as the Lettuces marked (i) under cloches 

 have been cut, the glasses thus rendered free are 

 placed over the Lettuces in rows numbered (2) in the 

 diagram leaving rows of Lettuces numbered (3), of 

 course, uncovered for the time being. When the No. i 

 Lettuces are mature, which is generally about three 

 weeks after covering, the cloches are then available 

 for covering the plants in rows marked (2), which ripen 

 about a fortnight afterwards. The cloches from rows 

 marked (2) are then placed upon the rows marked *3. 



The shifting of the cloches from one row on to 

 another is done easily, and more expeditiously if the 

 first cloche at the beginning is taken away to the other 

 end of the bed. The vacant space thus left enables one 

 to move the cloches forward (in what may be called a 

 north-westerly direction, as shown in the diagram) so 

 as to cover the required rows marked (2) as shown. 



The last Lettuces from these beds become mature 

 in April, or early in May, according to the mildness or 

 otherwise of the season. 



