LAC 



t 



532] 



a warm sheltered situation is required; 

 but for the Midsummer ones a border 

 that is shaded during mid-day. 



Sowhitj. The first .sowing in a frame 

 on a warm border, or slender hotbed, 

 at the close of .lanuary, or early in 

 February ; at the close of this last 

 month a larger one in any open situa- 

 tion, and smaller repeated once every 

 tluee weeks, until the end of July, for 

 summer and autumn use, to be coii- 

 tinued at similar intervals until the 

 close of September, for winter and 

 early spring. Sow moderately thin, 

 each variety separate. 



Prlckinif 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 re- 

 moved at similar distances. Those from 

 the sowings in January and February 

 in frames, and thence until August, in 

 any open situation. Those of the Au- 

 gust 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. 



I'lant out finally, in rows a, foot apart 

 each way. At the time of every re- 

 moval, whether of pricking out or plant- 

 ing, 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 

 NO soon fit for use : those which are 

 planted out at once to remain being 

 better in these respects than 1 host- 

 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 suc- 

 cession 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. 

 IS'o vegetable is more benefited than 



the lettuce by the- application occasion- 

 ally 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 cds varie- 

 ties may be planted on a warm border, 

 to have the shelter of frames and 

 hand-glasses. Some of the strongest 

 of .these may, in succession during 

 November, December, and January, 

 b6 planted in a moderate hotbed, being 

 removed with as little injury as possi- 

 ble to the roots, to bring them forward 

 for immediate ust?. "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 

 matting, and in severe weather an in- 

 creased covering must be aft'orded. 

 The day temperature should never ex- 

 ceed 80, nor fall below (to . The 

 plants may be, set in rows about six 

 inches apart; but of those which are 

 merely sheltering dining the winter, 

 on the return of mild weather at the 

 beginning of March or April, every 

 second 1 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 can- 

 not be depended upon. If two varieties 

 flower near each other, only mongrel 

 varieties will be obtained. Ekch 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 before it is stored. 



LADY-BIRD. Coccine'lla. 



LADY'S FERN. La&trtr'a Ihely'ptcris. 



L \ uv's LACES. Aru'ndo. 



LADY'S MANTLE. Alchemi'tta. 



