72 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



with ten or fifteen degrees higher (Un-ing the day. So taking nature's 

 lessons as a rule is a good criterion to follow up. One thing I am 

 strongly in favor of: that is putting a small crack of air on before 

 the temperature goes much above night temperature and gradually 

 increase as the conditions require. Of course, when the first crop 

 is gathered there must be plants ready to set out again, keeping 

 the space devoted to lettuce filled. I find in forking over the bed 

 after every crop, a sprinkling of bone meal and wood ashes alter- 

 nately is beneficial. It will take about seven weeks after planting 

 in permanent cjuarters to mature a crop of lettuce. The thing 

 most to be dreaded is the fungous disease commonly called sun- 

 burn, although this is an erroneous idea, as the disease spreads 

 more readily in a spell of dull weather than when it is bright. One 

 thing certain, when a crop is badly infested it is useless; better 

 throw it out; and take the top soil off and replace with fresh or 

 sterilize the soil. This is the only safeguard to eradicate the evil. 

 Lettuce requires very little surface feeding, providing it is grown 

 in rich soil. However, a crop may be hastened somewhat by a 

 watering once with nitrate of soda, say a level tablespoonful to three 

 gallons of water. Still, it is well to be on guard against much 

 feeding in the short days; as the days increase in length there is 

 not so much danger in overfeeding. There are a number of varie- 

 ies of lettuce adapted for forcing purposes, among them the Boston 

 Market and Glass House (Ideal) ; the last named being one of the 

 best that I have ever grown inside. Ideal was one of Weeber and 

 Don's novelties a year ago. 



Cauliflower. 



Probably there is no vegetable more improved by growing under 

 glass than cauUflower, requiring the same treatment in every respect 

 as lettuce, as regards temperature, sohd beds, etc., but the soil 

 used may be of a trifle heavier nature, and it is perfectly safe to 

 feed them considerably more than lettuce as they are strong rooting 

 vegetables. Yes, even during the short days this vegetable will 

 respond readily to liberal treatment. I would not advocate starting 

 young plants before, say the first week in September. If started 

 before that date they are apt to head up prematurely, or in other 



