CHAPTER VI. 



SALADS. 



THE cultivation of Salads is not the least important of a 

 gardener's duties, for these in many cases are required 

 for daily consumption the whole year round. Of 

 Salads Lettuce may be said to be the most important 

 so this shall be first considered. By growing suitable 

 varieties of both Cos and Cabbage, and if proper ac- 

 commodation is provided, there should be no difficulty 

 in obtaining Lettuce throughout the greater part of 

 the year. The best qualities the Lettuce can have are, 

 in spring the property of turning in quickly, in summer 

 to be slow in running to seed, the least susceptible to 

 damp in autumn and winter, and hardiness. In order 

 to maintain a continued supply of Lettuce seed should 

 be sown at intervals from January to September. 

 In January sow the seed in boxes and place these near 

 the glass in a gentle heat ; if the cultivation of Lettuce 

 is practised upon a large scale, instead of sowing in 

 boxes, sow either upon the surface soil of a pit under 

 which runs a hot-water pipe, or upon six inches of soil 

 resting upon a mild hot-bed composed of two parts 

 leaves and one of stable manure, in a cold frame. 



From the time the seedlings appear they should be 

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