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 finished 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 all 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 
