392 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



HERBS. With the exception of Mint and Parsley, which appear under 

 separate heads, and in a lesser degree of Sage and Thyme for which there 

 is a moderate sale, the culture of herbs for market, except in some few 

 special cases, is not worth the grower's attention. When there is any sale 

 the various herbs are in the majority of cases made into small bunches and 

 sold by the dozen. 



HORSE-RADISH. As indicated in the article on the culture of this root 

 the trade in it is almost entirely in the hands of continental growers. Still, 

 there is a steady though limited demand, and there is no good reason why 

 the grower who can produce a good sample should not enter into competi- 

 tion. The roots should be straight, lOin. to 12in. long and from lin. to 2in. 

 in diameter. They must be washed and tied in bundles of about a score. 

 It is useless to send to the market thin or badly-shaped roots. Those not 

 marketed immediately after lifting can be kept in moist sand, where they 

 will remain in good condition for a considerable time. 



LEEKS. There is not a great demand for Leeks, so that they should be 

 sent to market only in moderate quantities at any one time. The plant is 

 quite hardy, and the crop can be left in the ground to be lifted as re- 

 quired. The outer leaves are stripped off but the roots are left on, then 

 they are graded into sizes and tied together into flat fan-shaped bunches . 

 containing six or eight heads, according to size, but the average is usually 

 seven. The tie is made just at the bottom of the green portion, so that the 

 white stems will spread out and display themselves. The leaves are then 

 shortened to one uniform length, and the bunches well washed to improve 

 their appearance. They are packed in crates or baskets, and as they are 

 sold by the dozen bunches the number of dozens in each package should be 

 plainly marked on the label. 



LETTUCES (CABBAGE). The earliest consignments of Lettuces sent to 

 market are the Cabbage Lettuces grown in French gardens, on hot-beds 

 and in cold frames, and these are followed by those grown in sheltered 

 situations in the open in market gardens generally throughout the country. 

 The earliest cutting in any appreciable quantity begins in March and con- 

 tinues increasingly until about the middle of May, by which time Cos 

 Lettuces are appearing on the market in quantity and the demand for the 

 Cabbage variety rapidly diminishes; there continues, however, to be a 

 limited demand throughout the season as long as they are available. They 

 should be cut as soon as they have good firm hearts, and then graded into 

 "bests" and "seconds.'" If the lower leaves of those grown in the open 

 are much discoloured they should be removed, otherwise the root is the 

 only portion cut away. They are packed in light wooden crates or in flats, 

 in layers, the bottom layer being put root part downward, the next layer 

 root end up, and so on. They are sold by the dozen, and should be packed 

 in even numbers, with the quantity and quality in each package marked 

 plainly on the label. 



LETTUCES (COS). The earliest Cos Lettuces, grown under cloches or 

 handlights, or in cold frames, begin to come ready about the middle of 



