GARDENING. 73 



inches, and cut off the young and tender leaves and 

 stalks, as yet unexpandcd, and in a blanched state, close 

 to the crown of the root. 



It is easily raised in the interior — is very hardy — 

 grows in almost any dry soil — is perennial, and costs but 

 little labor, and may be raised from the seed or the root; 

 (if raised from the seed^ it should be cracked before plant- 

 ings or, what is much better, plant the new seed in 

 October^ as soon as ripe^ when they will grow freely — the 

 seed is hard to vegetate, if kept till spring.) Fifty 

 plants, occupying a very small space, will supply a 

 family. In its taste it resembles the cauliflower. The 

 only labor it requires, is to cover it with sand or earth, 

 with pots or boxes, in March, to blanch it, or make it 

 white. If not blanched, it is not so beautiful to the eye, 

 or so tender, or so delicate to the taste, as if blanched. 

 It should be very thoroughly boiled^ and is better if boiled 

 in milk and water. It should be served up, like cauli- 

 flower, with melted buttei*. It comes in at a season 

 when our vegetables in this country are very deficient. 

 Sown in April and May, and in October, (with the nevf 

 seed,) as above directed. 



LETTUCE — Laitue* 

 This requires a rich mellow soil. A bed four by ten 

 ieet requires one fourth of an ounce of seed. Sow in 

 any or every month from the opening of spring till Au- 

 gust. It may be sown broadcast, or in drills with the 

 rows from twelve to fifteen inches distant ; or it may be 

 sown with any young perennials, that stand far enough 

 apart. 



MELON — Melon, 

 Of these there are many varieties of each, all re- 

 quiring nearly the same culture; — they should be planted 

 remote from cucumbers, squashes, gourds and pumpkins, 

 to prevent adulteration and degeneracy. Seed is best 

 after it has been kept two years. It will grow if twenty 

 years old, — and it should be carried in the pocket a week 

 or two before planting. 



