368 THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



not made a dozen leaves will sometimes exhibit the rudiments of a 

 head. The full-grown plant is small and thick-set, about 6 in. in 

 diameter, and roundish in its outlines. Outer leaves rounded and 

 partially crimped, with edges almost entire, but very much folded 

 and sinuated ; head small, but rather compact, of a pale, 'almost 

 yellow, green, and formed of leaves which are much more crimped 

 and sinuated than the outer ones. Though of small size, it is very 

 productive. It grows rapidly, keeps the head well, and may be 

 planted very close. It is especially suitable for a spring crop that 

 is, to be sown immediately after winter, and cut for use before 

 summer. Sown in autumn it bears the winter well, but for this 

 purpose we have other varieties which are hardier and much more 

 productive. For summer culture also, although this kind is not 

 particularly liable to run to seed, the true summer Lettuces are to 

 be preferred. 



There is another form of White-seeded Tennis-ball named 

 Laitue Gotte Dorte, or/,. Gotte Jaune cFOr (the Golden Tennis- 

 ball), which is very like the variety next described, but runs to seed 

 sooner. 



Early White Spring, or Paris Market Forcing, Cabbage 

 Lettuce (Laitue gotte gr. n.} {Black-seeded}. The young plant differs 

 very little from the preceding variety, except that its leaves are more 

 crimped and folded. The full-grown plant is smaller than the pre- 

 ceding, and has the head flattened and never very firm. In all other 

 respects the two are much alike, and are grown in the same way. 



French Tom Thumb Lettuce (Laitue Gotte Lente a Monter) 

 (Black-seeded). The leaves of the young plant are a rather dark 



green, rounded, entire, hollowed 

 like a spoon, and with one-half 

 almost always folded back. The 

 central leaves begin to become 

 crimped very early. The full- 

 grown plant is low and rather 

 thick-set, irregular in outline, and 

 6 or 7 in. in diameter. Outer 

 _ leaves falling back on the ground, 



French Tom Thumb Lettuce. rather short and stiff > and dark 



green in colour, generally folded 



along the midrib, with one half flat and the other turned up, and 

 pretty well crimped ; central leaves also more or less folded, with 

 numerous and prominent crimpings, forming a head of medium 

 size, very firm and compact, green on the outside, very tender, 

 and keeping for a long time, even in summer. This variety is 

 rather small, but comparatively very productive and early, and 

 keeps the head well ; it is one of the best for spring and summer 

 culture. The head is tender and of excellent quality. 



