194 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



and stems, they are placed side by side in the frames, 

 putting the larger or taller clumps near the top, and 

 the smaller or shorter at the bottom. Some fine 

 rich gritty mould is then worked in between and 

 slightly over the crowns, and is settled down with a 

 gentle watering. After growth commences all that 

 is necessary is to give occasional moistenings with 

 tepid water, and ventilation according to the state of 

 the weather. 



When the leaves are large enough they should be 

 picked by hand every third or fourth day the largest 

 always being picked first. About eight days after 

 placing in the hot-bed, the plants commence to yield, 

 and will continue to produce tender leaves for a month 

 or six weeks, according to their vigour. When the 

 plants cease to develop leaves they may be thrown 

 away ; others are then lifted and placed in their 

 stead. 



Another method of obtaining early Sorrel is to force 

 the plants where they are growing instead of lifting 

 them and placing in hot-beds. The Sorrel is planted 

 in beds wide enough to take the lights and frames 

 generally in use. The plantation should have been 

 made originally in deeply dug or trenched and heavily 

 manured soil. As a rule each Sorrel bed has five 

 rows of plants the two outer ones being about 6 in. 

 from the margins and the others equidistant from 

 each other. 



In the first half of November the plants are cleared 

 of old leaves and stems, and the frames are placed 

 over them. About half an inch of rich gritty soil is 

 then spread uniformly over the crowns, and well 

 watered in before the lights are put on. 



