THE CULTURE OF SALADS. 



495 



October, planting four under each cloche, and they supply 

 a great want^ coming in in perfect condition towards the 

 middle of winter. 



Sometimes the crop is planted out in the narrow frames 

 common to Paris market gardens, turning over the old 

 dung beds before planting. The frames being narrow and 

 shallow, the plants are near the glass, and as soon as they 

 are planted the lights are put on, and, instead of gi^^ng air 

 by the aid of these lights, the greatest care is taken to keep 

 it out. No matter whether under cloche or frame, the 

 Petite Noire must never get any air. Should severe frost 

 occur, the glasses may be protected with straw mats. It 

 must be observed that when the plants are transferred into 

 the places where they are to attain their fullest size they 

 are removed with good balls, and with some care to check 

 their growth as little as possible. The plants pricked out 

 in October are ready to cut at the end of November or 

 commencement of December, which are the seasons when 

 this Lettuce begins to come into general use. In addition 

 to the crop put out during the first half of November, 

 another is sown at that season, in the way before described, 

 and in hke manner. Should very severe weather render 

 the Lettuces liable to suffer, dry litter is placed between the 

 cloches, and higher up at their north side, so as to prevent 

 the frost from entering the ground, and the contents of the 

 cloches are daily exposed to the light and sun, except when 

 they are frozen, when the covering is kept on or increased. 



The forced culture in the same narrow frames usually 

 begins about the end of November. At that period a hot- 

 bed is prepared, sixteen inches thick, and about 55° F. in 

 temperature, spreading on it some of the never-failing, 

 crumbling, thoroughly rotten manure, and on it is planted 

 seven lines of Petite Noire. This plantation requires 

 greater care than those placed under the cloche, in con- 

 sequence of the warmth and humidity ; decaying or spotted 

 leaves have to be picked off when they occur, and the 

 plants must be protected with the mats more than those 

 not excited by heat. The frames are surrounded by hot 

 dung, and a dryer mass of it fills up the alleys between the 



