194 SALAD PLANTS. 



Propagation. It is always grown from seeds, which are 

 small and light ; half an ounce being sufficient to sow a 

 nursery-bed of nearly a hundred square feet. It is necessary 

 that the ground should be well pulverized and made smooth 

 before it is sown, and the seeds should not be covered more 

 than a fourth of .an inch deep. 



Cultivation. Some recommend sowing where the plants 

 are to remain, in drills from ten to fifteen inches apart, and 

 thinning the plants to nearly the same distance in the lines. 

 Others recommend sowing in a small nursery-bed, and 

 transplanting. The process of transplanting unquestionably 

 lessens the liability of the plants to run to seed, and pro- 

 duces the largest and finest heads. The first sowing in the 

 open ground may be made as soon in March or April as the 

 frost leaves the ground ; and, if a continued supply is desired, 

 a sowing should afterwards be made, at intervals of about 

 four weeks, until September. 



Forcing. Lettuce is now served at table the year round ; 

 not, of course, of equal excellence at all seasons. Sowings 

 are consequently required for each month : those intended 

 for the spring supply are made from December to February, 

 twelve weeks being required for its full development when 

 reared in the winter months. The seed is sown rather 

 thinly, broadcast, in a hot-bed ; and, when the plants have 

 made two or three leaves, they are pricked out to three or 

 four inches apart in another portion of the bed, thus 

 affording them more space for growth, and opportunity to 

 acquire strength and hardiness. When two or three inches 

 high, they are finally transplanted into yet another part of 

 the bed, at distances corresponding with the size of the 

 variety, varying from ten to fourteen inches in each direc- 

 tion. As the plants increase in size, the quantity of air^ 

 should be increased ; and water should be given whenever 

 the surface of the bed becomes dry. In severe cold or in 

 cloudy weather, and almost always at night, straw-matting 

 (made thick and heavy for the purpose), woollen carpeting, 



