180 THE KITCHEN-GARDEK. [MARCH. 



Or you may, about the beginning of the month, plant a quantity 

 of them close together in a hot-bed, to be defended with a frame and 

 glasses, or with mats, &c. and when thus forwarded for two or three 

 weeks, plant them into the open ground ; observing to give them 

 plenty of air whilst in the hot-bed, and when they have one or two 

 inches growth therein, to plant them into some warm border, in 

 rows two feet and a half, or a yard asunder. 



For further particulars, and "the method of planting all the kinds, 

 see February, page 127. 



Sonvi?ig and transplanting Lettuces. 



As early in this month as possible, prepare a warm south border,, 

 and sow thereon, very thick, -some of the early curled and grand ad- 

 miral lettuces ; also some of the common cabbage lettuce, in order 

 to have them fit for cutting, with other small sallading, at an early 

 period, and to succeed such as you have forwarded in frames : let 

 the ground be dry and light, and the seed either raked in or covered 

 very slightly. 



Towards the middle of the month, if the weather be mild and set- 

 tled, you may sow in borders, beds, or any open compartments of 

 ground, different sorts of lettuce-seed, such as the white, green, 

 spotted, and Egyptian cos, grand admiral, white Silicia, India, ten- 

 nis-ball, New-Zealand, Mogul, white and brown Dutch, &c. these 

 are all most excellent sorts for this sowing, where variety of supe- 

 rior kinds are wanted. 



Every two weeks it will be necessary to sow other successional 

 crops, so as to have a regular and constant .supyly either for market 

 or family use. 



The different sorts should generally be sown separate, *and in 

 digging the ground, let the earth be well pulverized. Sow the seed 

 on the surface, and rake them in lightly, taking care not to draw 

 the earth in heaps. 



Or some of the cos kinds particularly, may be sown thinly among 

 the crops of carrots, parsneps, leeks, &c. some for transplanting, 

 and others to remain for full growth. 



In sowing lettuce, it is of much importance to have good sorts, 

 and such as will not run to seed before they attain full growth ; 

 these are not commonly to be met with, and are worth procuring. 



As soon in this month, as the weather gets mild and tolerably 

 \varm$ transplant some of the lettuce plants from the beds, or bor- 

 ders where they have stood all winter, provided they stand too close. 

 In doing this, observe to draw the plants out regularly, and let the 

 strongest remain for heading at about ten inches distance ; then 

 loosen the surface of the earth between them, and clear away all 

 decayed leaves and litter; after which, add a little fresh earth, which 

 will give the plants new vigour, and considerably enlarge their 

 growth. 



Previously to planting out into the open borders, any plants 

 raised in hot-beds from the early spring sowings, you must be very 



