14-8 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



X 



being required), every three weeks, from the middle 

 of May to the beginning of August, and treated as 

 mentioned, there will be no want of fine lettuce ; 

 bearing in mind, that during very hot and dry 

 seasons lettuce should be frequently watered. And 

 here another remark may be made, in respect of 

 the " grubs " (which are rather fond of lettuce), 

 that an early and frequent stirring of the earth 

 round the plants will be a preventive, and often an 

 antidote against their depredations, from their being 

 so frequently disturbed. 



Such is the mode of culture for a principal crop 

 of lettuce, by sowing in the open ground. But 

 instead of Bowing large breadths, the market gar- 

 deners round the great metropolis plant many acres 

 of land from plants previously raised in a small 

 compass. 



The method for raising plants for the above pur- 

 pose being rather peculiar, and as it has been but 

 very slightly glanced at by writers on gardening, 

 the following information may be of use to the 

 young horticulturist. 



About the middle of September, in some shel- 

 tered spot of rich ground, a frame may be set on 

 the surface, facing the warmest aspect, and which is 

 afterwards to be filled with earth from the outside, 

 if not too wet, to within two or three inches of the 

 top, taking care that it slopes with the frame. After 

 being levelled, the seed of either the white or green 

 Cos should be sown rather thick ; and, after being 

 lightly beaten down with a spade, Qver the whole 

 there should be a quarter of an inch of light " pure" 

 loam (if it can be had) sifted. The lights are 



