COS LETTUCES 



391 



which it differs only* when nearly full grown in its whiter colour, 

 leaves more crimped, broader ribs, and in being several days earlier. 



Large White Du Chesnay Cos Lettuce ( White-seeded). — The 

 young plant is pale, slightly yellow-green ; the leaves small, narrow, 

 stiff, erect, toothed at the edges, and twisted at the base. A Paris 

 White Cos of larger size and about a fortnight later. Grows well 

 under glass bells. Grown in the open air it is not liable to rust. 



Ground Cos Lettuce {Black-seeded). — Young plant short and 

 compact, of a uniform, rather dark, clear green 

 colour ; leaves stiff, short, oval, slightly spoon- 

 shaped, erect, and with a very prominent white 

 midrib. Full-grown plant very thick-set, and 

 of a dark, shining green colour ; head, short, 

 very close and hard, commencing so low down 

 that it appears to be partially buried in the 

 ground ; outer leaves very stiff, somewhat 

 pointed, almost always folded in two and 

 curved back outwardly, slightly crimped, with 

 the midrib stout, stiff, and very large for the 

 size of the leaves. The leaves of this variety 

 are very crisp, and leave a slightly bitter after-taste which is not 

 disagreeable. The plant bears frosty weather well, if slightly 

 protected. As the head is very solid, the crop is pretty heavy 

 for the small size of the plants. 



Ground Cos Lettuce 

 natural size). 



III. Summer Varieties of Cos Lettuce 



White-seeded Florence, or Magnum Bonum, Cos Lettuce. — 



Young plant, of a dull, pale green ; leaves broad, oval, slightly 



toothed, and faintly tinged with 

 light brown at the base, and also 

 on the margins and veins. The 

 full-grown plant does not head 

 well unless it is tied up. Outer 

 leaves very large, and especially 

 very broad, rounded in outline, 

 broadly crimped, with the edges 

 turned backwards, and forming 

 a large and very open rosette ; 

 they are of a gray-green colour, 

 very slightly tinged with light 

 brown at the edges and on 

 the parts exposed to the sun. 



The average diameter of well- 

 Florence, or Magnum Bonum, Cos Lettuce Pl^^ts is 16 in., or 

 (i natural size). thereabout. 



