LETTUCE. 109 



plants, in the chapter on cold-frames. This is decidedly 

 the best plan when they are intended for seed, as by 

 it each plant, when transplanted, grows large, forms a 

 head, the stock can be kept pure, and the seed is pro- 

 duced more abundantly early in the season, and of better 

 quality than when grown late. 



To grow plants in a hot-bed, prepare as directed under 

 that head, about the middle of March ; level the surface, 

 put on an inch of sifted soil, spread the seed thin, cover 

 one half an inch with fine soil, and water lightly. When 

 the plants are up, give plenty of air; keep the earth 

 moist but not wet, and before planting harden them off, 

 by removing the sashes a few days in advance. Good 

 plants may be grown, not quite so early, in a cold-frame, 

 preparing and sowing the same as in the hot-bed, but as 

 there is no bottom heat, the sashes must be kept closer. 

 It is very important to sow thin, to produce good stocky 

 plants. An ounce to four sashes properly sown will give 

 five to seven thousand plants. When it is desirable to 

 have a succession of heads for marketing, the seed may 

 be sown at intervals, in the same manner as in the fall for 

 wintering, as directed in the chapter on cold-frames. 



Soil and Preparation, When grown for market, let- 

 tuce should have rich soil, but when grown for seed one 

 half the usual amount of manure will suffice, for I find 

 that in very rich land the stalks decay at the root when 

 in blossom, and much loss is occasioned by blight. The 

 soil should be a moderately light loam. 



To grow for marketing, apply forty two-horse loads of 

 stable-manure plowed in, or two thousand pounds of 

 bone-flour, or one thousand pounds of guano, harrowed 

 in, to the acre. For seed purposes, one half or less. 

 Plow deep, harrow fine, and smooth with the back of the 

 harrow. Mark rows with the fifteen-inch marker. 



Planting and Cultivation, Set the plants out as early 

 as possible after the ground is dry enough to work well, 



