CATCH CROPS 63 



It may not therefore be out of place if we devote a little space 

 to more particular remarks concerning the culture of these 

 catch crops, and after what we have already said there need 

 be no apology for so doing. 



WINTER LETTUCE 



The demand for this succulent salad is steady throughout 

 the winter and many thousands are grown in frames. Our 

 markets are always open to take all that can be grown, even 

 though the French growers send over large and regular consign- 

 ments. We have occasionally taken perfectly satisfactory crops 

 from houses and so have no hesitation whatever in recommending 

 it as a fairly profitable line for those who have the conveniences 

 for growing them indoors. 



The variety to grow for the purpose is the dwarf French 

 cabbage lettuce, and this is raised from seeds sown either late 

 in August or early in September. If sown earlier it will probably 

 " bolt." After the remnants of the summer crop of tomatoes 

 or cucumbers have been cleared and the house cleaned down, 

 the borders must be well dug and levelled. If dry, the}' should 

 be well watered previous to the digging. Then the soil should be 

 lightly trodden and the plants inserted with a dibble in rows, 

 6 inches from plant to plant and 12 inches from row to row. 

 There must be no question of forcing ; indeed, we can scarcely 

 conceive anyone using a heated house for this purpose. 



Only if the autumn is dry and hot are the borders likely 

 to need watering, but with occasional sprinklings the soil should 

 be kept healthily moist and warm. The free use of the syringe 

 on a bright day will help to keep down the green fly which prey 

 more readily on the lettuce than on any other salad. Air must 

 circulate freely, and even in frosty weather this must be attended 

 to, though the amount would be modified. This will prevent 

 the leaves from damping off, a thing they are very prone to do 

 if the air is moist and stagnant. Keep the soil well stirred 

 with the hoe, for nothing promotes healthier growth than this. 

 Watch well for slugs, giving a look round for them by candle light 

 if need be, and dust a little soot over the surface of the border 

 between the plants. 



