Encyclopaedia of Gardening 205 



sowing under glass and planting in trenches ; but useful table produce 

 is secured by sowing out of doors on a spare plot in spring and plant- 

 ing with a dibble in June. It 

 must be earthed if white stems 

 are wanted. The crop may be 

 left in the ground unprotected in 

 winter. Good varieties: Mussel- 

 burgh, The Lyon, Prizetaker. 



Lettuce (Lactuca sativa). The 

 most popular of all salads. With 

 the number of good varieties now 

 available there is no difficulty in PLANTING LEEKS. 



getting a long supply of crisp, x< Drill 2< plant in hole 



nutty Lettuce over the greater 



part of the year. The plant will grow in almost any soil that is reason- 

 ably fertile, and nice hearts may often be got from ground that 

 would otherwise be wasted space between Pea rows, for example, 

 or on the ridges of soil that result from making Celery trenches. The 

 one serious trouble with Lettuces is what gardeners term " bolting," 

 that is, running to seed prematurely. This spoils the plant for 

 edible purposes. It is more common with the upright (" Cos "} 

 varieties than with the dwarf (" Cabbage ") section, and a reliable, 

 non-bolting variety, such as Favourite or Continuity, should always 

 be grown as a stand-by. However, there is not, as a rule, much 

 trouble from bolting with the Cos sorts if they are grown unchecked 

 from the first, and put out in moist soil. A light coat of bone flour 

 or superphosphate, say 4 oz. per square yard, spread on and forked 

 in before planting, will help them to form hearts. The ground 

 should be dug deeply, and a dressing of decayed manure turned in 

 during the process. Sowing : The first sowing of seed may be 

 made in a cool house or frame in winter. If Lettuce is in great 

 demand, and there is a frame or pit available, the seed may be 

 sprinkled over it broadcast, and the plants thinned to a few inches 

 apart. When they have grown a little some may be drawn un- 

 hearted and used, while the others are left to mature. Otherwise, 

 the seed may be sown thinly in boxes, and the plants put out in 

 April. Seed may be sown outdoors on a warm border early in 

 March, but in exposed places the end of the month will be early 

 enough for safety. The soil should be dug, crumbled, raked fine, 

 and drills drawn a foot apart and about half an inch deep. The 

 seed germinates quickly if the ground is moist, but not sodden, at 

 sowing time. If the seedlings come quickly they should be thinned, 

 and when the plants begin to crowd each other again they should 

 be planted out a foot apart after showery weather; very large 

 varieties, like Giant White Cos, may be given more room. When 

 the plants are fully grown the hearts should be blanched by tying, 

 the outer leaves up just above the centre with a strip of raphia. 

 They should be tied firmly, but not drawn tightly, or the hearts 

 may rot. " Bolting " is known by the plants throwing up a shoot 

 from the centre instead of remaining firm. It is useless to preserve 

 plants which betray this weakness, but those who like cooked 

 Lettuces need not waste them, even though they may have no pets,. 



