KITCHEN-GARDEN VEGETABLES. 
may be sown in drills 10 inches apart, and left 
from 8 inches to 10 inches apart in the rows— 
rather less space being given the smallest forms. 
In May and June successional sowings may be 
made in any open situation, as at this hot period 
of the season coolness is desirable for this crop. 
Sowings of Green Paris Cos, Brown Cos, and 
All-the-year-round, should be made in late June 
and mid-July, for use in autumn and in the 
early part of winter. 
Between the 15th and 20th of August sow 
some of the Green Paris Cos, Brown Cos, Brown 
Dutch, All-the-year-round, and more especially 
the Hardy Hammersmith, as it is most to be 
depended on in case of a severe winter. They 
may be planted on the sides of ridges, which 
may be formed obliquely across a sheltered 
border in front of a wall, hedge, or boarded 
paling, facing the south. If the ridges are made 
from south-east to north-west, and planted with 
Lettuces on both sides, those on the 
north-east will have some portion of the 
sun’s rays to dry the foliage in the 
morning, and those on the other side, 
facing the south-west, will receive nearly 
direct the sun’s rays at the hottest time 
of the day. The Hardy Hammersmith 
may be planted on these ridges at 6 or 
8 inches apart. In planting at the bot- 
tom of walls, care should be taken to 
avoid the drips from the coping. 
Another sowing should be made to- 
wards the middle of September, for use 
in spring. 
_ Lettuces are sometimes required for 
cutting young, or when about 2 inches high. 
The small early sorts, such as the Hardy Ham- 
mersmith, are preferred for this purpose; but 
any green-leaved sort will do. The seeds should 
be sown in the open air once a week, or every 
ten days, from April throughout the season. 
In winter they are best raised in heat. They 
should be sown rather thickly, in drills 6 inches 
apart. 
Lettuces raised on an open border, as well as 
those raised in frames, should be thinned before 
the plants are drawn up weak and slender, as 
they never make such full succulent heads as 
those that by proper thinning have a shorter, 
thicker stem. ‘Transplanting should take place 
as soon as possible after the plants have made 
two or three leaves. Advantage should be 
taken of cloudy weather for the operation. 
The ground should be made fine, and for the 
summer crops it cannot be too rich; in winter 
the plants will stand better in soil that is rather 
[oe 
459 
poor; but when vegetation commences to be 
active in spring, manure-water will greatly 
promote their growth. 
Forcing Lettuces—The sorts which may be 
forced to afford a winter supply are—Cubbage: 
Hardy Hammersmith, White Dutch, Golden 
Queen, and Early Paris Market ;—Cos: Brown, 
Green Paris, and White Paris. Seeds of these 
should be sown about the middle of August, 
and in the beginning and middle of September. 
These sowings ought to furnish plants for a 
supply throughout the winter and spring. 
The seeds should be sown in rich light soil, 
or in a compost of well-decomposed dung, leaf- 
mould, and the soil from an old Cucumber bed. 
As soon as the seedlings are large enough to 
handle they should be pricked out in a bed 
prepared as follows :— 
About the middle of October make a slight 
hot-bed, of about 18 inches thick, of well-pre- 
Fig. 1215.—Cos Lettuce—Little Gem. 
pared dung. Cover this about 1 foot deep with 
a compost of sandy peat, leaf-mould, and a little 
well-decomposed manure. The bottom-heat 
should be about 55°. When the soil is put in 
the frame it ought to be thoroughly watered, 
and then allowed to get nearly dry. As soon 
as this is the case, take up the plants and plant 
them about 6 inches apart inthe frames. Water 
slightly after planting, and then cover the whole 
surface of the bed with clean dry sand or dry 
peat. Some recommend charcoal, but it is apt 
to soil the foliage; peat-charcoal may, however, 
be employed with advantage. Shade from sun, 
and keep the lights close for a few days, till the 
plants have taken fresh root. Afterwards, give 
plenty of air when the weather permits. Care 
should be taken to prevent frost from reaching 
the plants. In case of severe weather the frame 
must be backed with litter, and instead of Russia 
mats, good straw-mats should be used for cover- 
ing the sashes. In cutting the plants for use, 
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