GARDENING 



LETTUCE 



The lettuce was introduced into England in 

 1562, but its origin is not known, except we hear 

 of it in the East about the time of Cyrus the 

 Great. 



The soil should be well dug and richly rhanured, 

 though lettuce will grow almost in any soil, and 

 may be planted between other vegetables, especially 

 in rows between cabbage, which is of course a great 

 economy of space where the ground is limited. 

 The situation must be sunny, they must have an 

 abundant supply of moisture throughout their 

 whole growth, as the more water is given the less 

 apt are the plants to run to seed, besides ensuring 

 crispness and succulency. 



Sowings should be made in boxes in February 

 and put into frames, after which time they can be 

 sown in the open. When sown in frames they 

 should be pricked out when three weeks or a 

 month old, thinned to three or four inches apart, 

 and prick out those removed to similar distances ; 

 those from the February sowings in frames, and 

 thence until August in any open situation. 



In the final planting out place them in rows a 

 foot apart each way. Lettuces always attain a finer 

 growth if left where sown, and those which are 

 planted out at once are in every respect better 

 than those pricked out for a final planting. 



Those required for winter use are best planted 

 on ridges, and can be sheltered with hoops and 

 matting during severe weather. Occasionally an 



