COS LETTUCES 



393 



very vigorous, with a large, broad, rounded head, sh'ghtly flattened 

 at the top, full and firm ; outer leaves not so much crimped as 

 those of the White Paris Cos, but greener in hue and more 

 rounded at the ends. The White Paris Cos heads sooner than 

 the Balloon Cos, but the latter is considered hardier, and is very 

 suitable for sowing in autumn. It is also a remarkably productive 

 variety. 



Monstrous Brown Cos Lettuce {Black-seeded). — Young 

 plant vigorous growing, half-spreading ; leaves fairly large, broad 

 from the base, pale dull green, tinged with light brown on the veins 

 and edges ; margin slightly sinuated or bluntly toothed. Head 

 of full-grown plant oblong, not forming well unless tied up ; outer 

 leaves large, numerous, in a broad and very open rosette, almost 

 spreading oil the ground ; they are entire in outline, but the edges 

 are twisted and waved, and the surface is crimped and puffed from 

 the midrib towards the edges. All the parts exposed to the sun 

 are very deeply tinged with russet, while the rest of the plant 

 is of a wan dark green. The general appearance of the plant is 

 shining, as if varnished, not dull like the Florence varieties. It is 

 often 20 in. in diameter. 



Brown, or Bath, Cos Lettuce ( White-seeded). — Young plant of 

 a dull green colour ; leaves spathulate, deeply toothed to the very 

 end, and tinged with red 

 on the edges and veins. 

 Head of full-grown plant 

 oblong, almost pointed, 

 pale green, slightly tinged 

 with dull brown ; outer 

 leaves rather spreading, 

 entire, not much crimped, 

 finely toothed on the edges, 

 and tinged on all the parts 

 exposed to the sun with 

 pale brown on a gray-green 

 ground. A well - grown 

 plant is about 14 in. in 



diameter. This is an ex- White-seeded Bath Cos Lettuce. 



ceedingly hardy kind, and 



does well under summer or autumn culture ; it sometimes also 

 withstands the winter. Although it heads well enough when 

 left to itself, it is usually tied up to increase the number and 

 expedite the production of tender blanched leaves. The contrast 

 of colour in the parts of the leaves which are bronzed by being 

 exposed to the sun and those parts which are covered is very 

 striking in this variety. This, and the following variety, are 

 especially suitable for winter Lettuces in England. 



