MAY] THE KITCHEN GARDEN. 389 



shade whatever, for these plants never form good heads in such situ- 

 ations, but start to seed immediately. 



Dig the ground neatly and rake the surface smooth, then dibble in 

 the plants, in rows ten or twelve inches asunder, and near the same 

 distance from one another in the rows ; water them immediately, and 

 repeat it occasionally till they have taken good root. 



Such as are intended to remain for heading, where sown, should 

 now be thinned to about ten or twelve inches distance, every way, 

 and those growing among other general crops ought not to be left 

 nearer to each other than three feet. 



SOWING LETTUCE SEEDS. 



Lettuce seeds of various good kinds should be sown two or three 

 times this month, that there may be a constant and regular supply 

 of this very wholesome vegetable. The white Silicia, grand admiral, 

 and India, are very proper kinds to sow now ; the cos varieties do not 

 head like the other kinds, but if tied up as you do endive they will 

 blanch beautifully, and are extremely crisp and delicious ; they, how- 

 ever, soon run up for seed. The white and brown Dutch, and large 

 cabbage kinds are excellent sorts, and will succeed well if sown in the 

 early .part of this month. 



An open situation must be chosen in which to sow the seeds ; the 

 ground should be light and rich, and each sort sown separately and 

 very thin ; for if drawn up close in the seed-bed, they will never 

 head well. 



The beds wherein these are sown, should be frequently refreshed 

 with water in dry weather, to promote the vegetation of the seeds 

 and encourage the growth of the young plants. 



TYING UP EARLY LETTUCES. 



The various kinds of cos or Koman lettuce which are now begin- 

 ning to gather and whiten in the heart, should be tied up with strings 

 of bass, which will forward their whitening, and render them crisp 

 and tender for eating ; but this must be done only by degrees, or as 

 they are wanted, for it greatly promotes their shooting to seed. 



SOWING SMALL SALADING. 



Sow a variety of small salading every week or ten days, for these, 

 at this season, shoot on to seed very rapidly, such as cresses or pep- 

 per-grass, lettuce, rape, radish, mustard, &c. Sow the seeds in shal- 

 low drills on shady borders, cover them lightly, and give them occa- 

 sional waterings, without which they will be destroyed by insects. 



KIDNEY BEANS. 



A principal crop of kidney beans should be planted in the first 

 week of this month, and successional crops about the middle, and 

 also towards the end thereof. 



