CHAPTEK VII. 



Lettuce. 

 Lactiuca sativa. 



The Lettuce is a hardy annual and one of the 

 most generally cnltl rated and popular vegetables in 

 the Catalogue. It is very healthful as a Spring and 

 Summer salad ; for this purpose it is unequalled. 

 It may be divided into two classes, the Cabbage or 

 Head Lettuce, and the upright growing sorts from 

 the Island of Cos, known as the Cos Lettuce. To 

 have the latter kind in perfection, the leaves should 

 be tied up as recommended for Endive, and blanched. 

 When treated in this way, the leaves are tender, 

 crisp and delicate. 



The Cabbage, or Head sorts, are now extensively 

 cultivated, both for family use and by the market- 

 gardener, who looks upon this crop as easily culti- 

 vated, and profitable. This is especially so if the 

 location of his garden is within easy distance from a 

 large market, so as to deliver the Lettuce with his 

 own Avagon to the huckster or grocer. 



The Lettuce is grown on a large scale for market, 

 in the open field, planted usually between rows of 

 Early Cabbages, putting the Lettuce plants from 

 fifteen to eighteen inches apart in the row, and al- 

 ternate with the rows of Cabbages, which leaves the 



