80 VEGETABLE GAKDENING. 



its period of usefulness can be extended over a long 

 period by using, first, the side leaves ; next removing, 

 as they are required for use, the rosettes of leaves 

 from the tops of the plants, along with a small portion 

 of the stems. This causes the plants to send out 

 lower down a large number of side growths in the 

 form of clusters of leaves which are even finer than 

 those first produced. 



The cultivation is the same as for cabbages, bearing 

 in mind that the plant responds to a nitrogenous 

 fertiliser applied twice during the season. Sow at 

 the end of April and plant out in June in firm soil, 

 27 by 18 inches apart. Borecole may also be planted 

 between the rows of early potatoes or between the 

 rows of late-sown dwarf peas, the " Tall Curled " 

 variety being best for this purpose. 



Varieties : Dwarf Green Curled, Tall Green Curled, 

 and Al. 



Lettuce (Botanical Name : Lactuca sativa. Natural 

 Order : Composites). The lettuce is a hardy annual 

 whose origin is uncertain. It has been cultivated in 

 eastern countries from very early times, and it is sup- 

 posed to have been introduced into England early 

 in the sixteenth century. Lettuce is chiefly used 

 as a salad, but it is excellent also when cooked as a 

 vegetable. 



Culture. Lettuces make the best growth in a 

 medium soil that is rich in humus. The ground 

 should be dug and manured as advised for cabbages 

 and other green crops, and receive the same fertilisers. 

 The two types, Cabbage and Cos Lettuce, require 

 the same cultural treatment. Seed may be sown in 

 a seed-bed in August on a sheltered border ; thin 



