French Garden. Preparing Plants. 87 



If from any cause there are any serious losses amongst the 

 wintered plants, sow again in January, on a hot-bed. As soon 

 as the seedlings can be handled, prick out on a bed with a 

 mild warmth, and gradually harden. 



Cos Lettuce and Forcing Cabbage Lettuce. During the first 

 week in October sow both cos and cabbage lettuce for growing 

 on warm manure beds. In this case the seed is sown under 

 cloches, in the following manner : A seed-bed is prepared, 

 care being taken that the compost is moist, because lettuce 

 plants should, if possible, be raised without watering. As many 

 cloches as are necessary for the seed to be sown are put on 

 the bed, gently pressed, and lifted away again. Each will have 

 made a circular depression, and within this ring the seed is 

 sown, thinly, lightly covered with compost, pressed down with 

 the firming board, and the cloche replaced. Although late in 

 the season, the sun is still hot in the middle of the day, and the 

 cloches must be covered with mats from about 1 1 to 2 o'clock 

 or the soil may get too dry and the sowing prove a failure. 



In four or five days the seedlings will appear. About three 

 or four days afterwards just as soon as they can be handled 

 they should be pricked out under cloches, thirty plants to each, 

 taking care to keep them quite 2in. from the rim, so that the 

 leaves, as the plants grow, may not touch the glass and get 

 frozen. 



Forcing cabbage lettuce remains under the cloches, without 

 air, until wanted for the hot-beds. Cos must be given air on 

 all mild days, and should be transplanted again towards the 

 end of November, fifteen to a cloche. Sometimes cos lettuce 

 is transplanted a third time, it being claimed that frequent 

 transplanting causes earlier hearting besides an improvement 

 in its size and solidity. 



Hardy Cos and Cabbage Lettuce. Seed of hardy lettuce, 

 which are intended to stand unprotected in open beds through 

 the winter, is sown about September 14th. As soon as the 

 seedlings can be handled they are pricked out 2in. apart on a 

 nursery bed covered with compost. About the end of October 

 they are planted out at 1ft. apart in a sheltered and well 



