On the Cultivation of Lettuce. 21 



The following remarks are the results of several years cul- 

 tivation of lettuce, both for private use and for the market ; 

 and if the directions are carefully followed others may be 

 equally successful. 



Selection of Sorts. — There are a few leading points to be 

 strictly adhered to, and which ought not to be overlooked, if 

 lettuce of a superior quality is the object of the cultivator. 

 The Tennisball, Royal Gape, and Green Curled Silesia, are 

 probably the best for spring use ; the Imperial (true) is the 

 most worthy of the cultivator's trouble, in order to have a 

 good supply through the summer ; and the Green Cabbage, 

 or hardy Hannersmith, for the winter crop. It is of the 

 greatest importance to obtain the seed time to the name, and 

 not hybridized ; what makes the careful selection of the seed 

 of so much consequence is, that all the care and labor be- 

 stowed on the culture of the plants, if raised from spurious 

 seed, approaches very nearly to labor lost. It is well known, 

 although not so universally as could be wished, that a great 

 portion of the varieties enumerated in catalogues are not 

 worth growing in this climate ; the Cos lettuce, so much cul- 

 tivated in England, and deservedly so, is rarely ever seen in 

 our markets ; in fact, all the hybrid varieties, raised from the 

 Cos and Cabbage lettuces, being intermixed, will not gener- 

 ally be such as would give satisfaction in this country, and 

 more especially if the variety partakes most of the Cos parent. 

 Observe therefore to procure choice seed of responsible seeds- 

 men. 



Compost for the Plants. — A light, rich, friable soil, and old 

 hot-bed manure, — or manure that is as near as can be of the 

 same nature, — well blended together, will ensure success ; 

 for framing, the compost should be an equal quantity of ma- 

 nure and earth ; this is the secret of obtaining fine lettuce : 

 for v/herever extra fine lettuce is found, extra culture pro- 

 duced it. For open air culture, the ground, however rich it 

 may be in appearance, if not by the recent application of 

 manure, ought to have a bountiful dressing, which should be 

 dug in about three inches below the surface ; but before this 

 the ground should have been in fine condition, either by deep 

 ploughing or digging; the reason why the manure should 

 not be buried deeper than proposed is, that the roots may take 



