VEGETABLES — DESCRIPTION AND CULTUEE. 243 



Philadelphia CaDDage. — Of the same season as the 



preceding, and equally good. 



Victoria Cahhage. — Withstands the heat rather better 

 than the two preceding, and produces large, white, crisp 

 heads ; perhaps the most desirable of the three. 



After these come on : 



Curled India. — Leaf of a light yellow green, and very 

 much curled ; a very distinct sort ; heads large and close, 

 but not so fine and crisp as the other varieties, but will 

 continue to head much later. 



Neapolitan. — Very dwarf ; leaTes curled and serrated 

 on the edges ; head large, firm, blanching white, crisp and 

 excellent ; seeds white. It soon begins to head, and does 

 not run to seed as readily as most kinds. In England 

 it is considered the best summer cabbage lettuce. 



The best Cos lettuces are : 



White Paris COS. — Very large ; leaves pale green, obo- 

 vate, hooded at top, closing over and blanching a large 

 heart without tying ; becoming white, tender, crisp, and 

 excellent ; seeds white. Seeds should be saved only from 

 those with leaves round, concave, and inclined to hood or 

 turn inwards. The best summer sort. 



Paris Green COS. — Very like the last, but the leaves are 

 of a darker green until blanched ; but the heart is white, 

 crisp, and excellent. Hardier and better for autumn sow- 

 ing than the last, and by some thought of equal excel- 

 lence. These two lettuces scarcely require tying for 

 blanching, and are always good. 



Culture. — In raising good lettuce three things are 

 necessary — good seed, good soil, and frequent hoeing ; and 

 of these the first is perhaps the most important. There is 

 generally no difficulty in making lettuce seed vegetate, 

 but if it is not saved from good heads it will not produce 

 heads, even with the best culture. Lettuce likes a good 

 mellow soil, enriched with well-rotted manure. Good 



