309 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS TO 



MAYLANDS SMALLHOLDERS 



soil. Rake the soil well, to leave it level and remove 

 lumps. Put on the sashes and cover with mats. Any 

 of this work must be iinished the same day it is begun 

 and covered up. This is of importance, as frost, snow, 

 or rain might set in, and spoil the bed. The remaining 

 beds must be made in the same way, all joining up so as 

 to form one entire bed without any spaces between. 

 The frames are butted together at the ends, and are set 

 1 foot apart between rows. 



"Two or three days after finishing the first bed, it 

 will begin to get warm, which may be seen by the damp 

 inside the glass. Now sow radishes (French Breakfast 

 Radishes — ^white-tipped) thinly broadcast. Cover them 

 up lightly with dry prepared soil, well sifted; press 

 down evenly. Set out the whole bed with lettuces at 

 9 in. apart. Before planting, the lettuces must be 

 carefully examined, all decayed leaves removed, and 

 doubtful plants rejected. Use only the strongest plants. 

 Handle very tenderly, so as not to bruise them. Cover 

 the bed every night with mats. When the radishes are 

 up, give a little air on the opposite side to the wind, but 

 be careful not to overdo this, as the lettuces thrive better 

 with very little air. If any decayed leaves are seen 

 on the lettuces, remove them. If the heat in the frames 

 slacks, as may be seen by the radishes not moving quickly 

 enough, place littery manure aU round and between the 

 frames up to the lights. The radishes will be ready for 

 gathering the fourth week from sowing, and should be 

 cleared off a bed within 10 or 12 days. When they are all 

 gone, water the bed well between the lettuces with a 



