LAC 



[476 ] 



oiirable, Prussian, Large Roman, Malta, 

 for summer ; Neapolitan, for summer. 



Soil. Lettuces thrive best in a ligbt, 

 very rich soil, with a dry substratum. 

 For the first and last crops of the year a 

 warm, sheltered situation is required; 

 but for the Midsummer ones, a border 

 that is shaded during mid-day. 



Sowing. The first sowing in a frame 

 on a warm border, or slender hotbed, at 

 the close of January, or early in February ; 

 at the close of this last month a larger 

 one in any open situation, and smaller 

 repeated once every three weeks, until 

 the end of July, for summer and autumn 

 use, to be continued at similar intervals 

 until the close of September, for winter 

 and early spring. Sow moderately thin, 

 each variety separate. 



Pricking out. When the plants are 

 About a month old, or two inches in 

 height, thin them to three or four inches 

 apart, and prick out those removed at 

 similar distances. Those from the sow- 

 ings in January and February in frames, 

 and thence until August, in any open 

 situation. Those of the August sowing 

 must be divided into two portions ; the 

 largest being selected and planted in an 

 open compartment for late autumn use, 

 and the smaller on a warm border for 

 winter and early spring. 



Plant out, finally, in rows a foot apart 

 each way. At the time of every removal, 

 whether of pricking out or planting, water 

 .must be given moderately, and until the 

 plants are rooted. It may be remarked, 

 that transplanted lettuces never attain 

 so fine a growth as those left where sown, 

 nor become so soon fit for use; those 

 which are planted out at once to remain 

 being better in these respects than those 

 pricked out previous to final planting. 

 The varying in their time of becoming 

 fit for use, however, is of advantage, as 

 by these means a more perfect succession 

 is obtained. Those which are planted to 

 withstand the winter, which they easily 

 do if sheltered with hoops and matting 

 during severe weather, and continue in 

 a fit state for use, are best planted on 

 ridges, as a protection from excessive 

 wet, from which they always suffer. In 

 every stage of growth they must be kept 

 well watered, and the earth around them 

 frequently stirred, for the extirpation of 

 slugs and snails. No vegetable is more 

 'benefited than the lettuce by the applica- 

 iion ; occasionally, of liquid-manure. To 



check the Cos plants running to seed before 

 the heart is perfectly blanched, it is a good 

 practice, at the time of tying them up, 

 to cut out the centre bud of each with a 

 sharp knife. 



Frame Crops. The plants raised from 

 the September sowing may be divided as 

 directed for those of August; but, in 

 addition, some of the Cos varieties may 

 be planted on a warm border, to have the 

 shelter of frames and hand-glasses. Somo 

 of the strongest of these may, in succes- 

 sion during November, December, and 

 January, be planted in a moderate hotbed, 

 being removed with as little injury as 

 possible to the roots, to bring them for- 

 ward for immediate use. Whilst in frames 

 they require much attention. Being 

 watered and shaded until established, 

 they must afterwards have as much light 

 and air admitted as possible, as well as a 

 regular supply of moisture. 



At night the additional shelter of mat- 

 ting, and in severe weather an increased 

 covering, must be afforded. The day 

 temperature should never exceed 80 ; 

 nor fall below 65. The plants may be' 

 set in rows about six inches apart ; but 

 of those which are merely sheltering 

 during the winter, on the return of mild 

 weather, at the beginning of March or 

 April, every second one must be carefully 

 removed, and planted in a warm border 

 at the usual open-ground distance. 



To obtain Seed. Some of the finest 

 and most perfect plants of each variety 

 that have survived the winter, or from 

 the forwardest sowing of the year, should 

 be selected. The seed from any that 

 have run up prematurely cannot be de- 

 pended upon. If two varieties flower 

 near each other, only mongrel varieties 

 will be obtained. Each stem is to be 

 tied to a stake as a support against 

 tempestuous weather. The branches 

 must be gathered as the seed ripens upon 

 them. It must be thoroughly dried be- 

 fore it is stored. 



LADY-BIRD. Coccine'lla. 



LADY'S FERN. Lastra'a thely'pteri". 



LADY'S LACES. Aru'ndo. 



LADY'S MANTLE. Alchemi'lla. 



LADY'S SLIPPER. Cypripe' dium. 



LADY'S SMOCK. Carda'mine. 



LADY'S TRESSES. Neo'ttia spira'lit and 

 Sjira'nihes. 



LE'LLA. (Lalia was a Vestal virgin ; 

 alluding to the delicacy of the flower. 

 Nat. ord., Orcltids [Orchidacese]. Linn., 



