THE SWEET POTATO. 



525 



better to resist the cold. So long as it does not freeze^ it 

 is better to leave the plants exposed to the air. When it 

 does freeze they are protected as much as need be^ opening 

 the frames, so that the plants may enjoy the sun, and taking 

 care to protect them carefully with straw mats at night, 

 sometimes surrounding the sides with litter to prevent 

 the entrance of cold in that direction. In February these 

 Cauliflowers are planted on gentle hotbeds from which 

 Lettuces have been cut. Between the Cauliflower plants 

 are placed the Lettuce known as the Gotte and the Petit, 

 and Gros Salomon Cauliflowers are planted alternately, so as 

 to insure a succession. Other kinds of vegetables are placed 

 between by some, but the Laitue Gotte is considered the 

 best and most profitable for this purpose. Gradually as 

 the season advances more air is given to the plants, and 

 when they get too near the glass the frames are elevated 

 by placing stiff wads of straw under their corners. About 

 the beginning of April, if the weather be fine, the frames 

 are removed, that they may be used in the culture of Melons. 

 In case of late frosts, an arrangement is made to give some 

 protection by means of straw mats. About the 10th or 

 12th of April the hearts are seen forming in the Petit 

 Salomon, and eight days afterwards in the Gros Salomon. 

 Thenceforward the Cauliflowers are visited every two days, 

 and when the heart of one is seen formed as big as a 

 hen^s egg, some leaves of the lower part of the plant are 

 broken and laid upon it, so that it may be deprived of 

 light and thus kept perfectly white. When these leaves 

 wither or shrivel they are taken ofi*, a fresh one put 

 over the heart, and then the old ones laid on top. They 

 are thus regularly watched, blanched, and cut when at 

 perfection. 



The Sweet Potato. — Louis XV., it is said, was exceed- 

 ingly fond of this vegetable, and had it grown for his table 

 in the gardens of the Trianon and Choisy-le-Roi. From 

 his day until about the year 1800 the Sweet Potato was 

 relegated to hothouses and botanic gardens, but about the 

 last named period M. le Comte Lelieur, who was appointed 

 manager of the royal gardens, had some grown at St. Cloud. 



