CHAPTER XXI 



SALAD VEGETABLES 



THE great aim in growing salad vegetables, where no 

 thought of marketing is entertained, is to rear small 

 supplies continuously throughout the year. There is 

 little point of having a glut of, say, lettuces in June, and 

 feeling the want of them during the remaining eleven 

 months. As most of the produce mentioned under this 

 heading does not permit of storage, it is clear that the 

 wise plan is to sow little and often. We shall then enjoy 

 fresh produce over an extended period if not during the 

 whole of the twelve months. 



Lettuces will grow almost anywhere and in prac- 

 tically every kind of soil. For preference, however, 

 they should be given permanent quarters in a bed that 

 has been lightly dressed with natural manure and in 

 which a small quantity of superphosphate has been 

 sprinkled. This serves for summer and autumn produce, 

 but the winter-sown varieties will thrive on land that was 

 heavily manured for a previous crop. Lettuces, whether 

 they be of the cos or cabbage variety should be grown as 

 rapidly as possible, or they will be tough and liable to 

 have sprouting hearts. Therefore, plant them in a warm 

 sunny position, give plenty of plain water, feed with 

 dilute manure water once a week when well established, 



