French Garden. Crops, &c. 95 



will probably need watering, unless the weather has been wet, 

 in which case it will be damp enough. If water is needed 

 choose a mild, dull day, and about mid-day lift off the lights 

 separately, give water through a fine rose, and replace at once. 

 The lettuce should be ready for market about six weeks after 

 planting. 



When the lettuce are gone clean the beds well, removing any 

 weeds, leaves, or old roots which may have been left behind ; 

 thin the carrots in any places where they may stand too thickly. 

 Then plant the cauliflowers, four to each light, so that they 

 stand about 2ft. apart both ways ; water thoroughly, put on the 

 lights, and keep close for two or three days. 



From this time forward air and water must be given in con- 

 stantly increasing quantities. The beds must never be allowed 

 to get dry and ventilation must be gradually increased until 

 the plants are thoroughly hardened. Early in April the frames 

 and lights can be removed altogether to the section intended 

 for melons or cucumbers. 



Before this time some growers work fine soil amongst the 

 carrots, bringing it up to the collar of the plants. This keeps 

 the top of the roots from becoming green. The carrots should 

 be ready for market early in May. Pulling should not be 

 begun until the bulk are ready and then the bed should be 

 cleared as the pulling proceeds, no small ones being left to get 

 larger, as they would be in the way and would probably only 

 make useless fibrous roots. Those too small for market should 

 be thrown away. 



When the carrots are gone hoe the bed all over and water 

 well. The cauliflowers need careful watching, and whenever a 

 head appears break a leaf over it to keep it clean and white. 

 Water freely. Cut as soon as ready, as if overlooked only one 

 day they may get too open and become spoiled, especially if 

 the weather is warm. They should be cleared about the middle 

 of June, when the bed is immediately hoed over and planted 

 with other crops, as described later. 



Alternative Methods. The foregoing scheme of cropping is 

 the most usual for this class of produce, and with proper 

 attention to details will be found comparatively simple and 



