leo.j 



THE CULINARY GARDEN. 



95 



Dutch lettuces, or any other sorts; let the seeds be sown 

 moderately thick, and rake them in regularly. 



Or, in order to have a few lettuces forwarder for transplant- 

 ing, sow lettuce-seeds early in the month in a frame, and 

 cover them occasionally with glasses or mats, at night and 

 in sharp weather ; and when the plants are advanced about two 

 inches in growth, they are to be transplanted in the open 

 ground. 



Lettuces which have stood the winter, closely planted in 

 warm borders or in frames, should, about the end of the 

 inonth, if quite mild weather, be thinned out where they stand 

 too close, leaving them a foot distant each way : the plants 

 which are drawn out should be planted in an open spot of rich 

 gi-ound, a foot asunder ; and a little water given as soon as 

 planted. 



We have experienced much success in planting lettuce at the 

 bottom of a north wall, or in any such situation, where the sun 

 seldom shone upon them till late in the afternoon. It is the 

 sudden transition from cold to heat, or of sunshine upon vege- 

 tables after severe frosts, that our early crops are destroyed in 

 this uncertain climate. It ought to be our study to dispose 

 of and shelter them, as much as possible, from the effects 

 of such transitions. It is also of importance, particularly in 

 autumn-planting, to throw up triangular ridges, two or three 

 feet high, of convenient lengths, from east to west, and to 

 plant both sides of the ridge with lettuce-plants. In this case, 

 if the plants upon the side sloping towards the sun should be 

 destroyed, those on the opposite side will have a chance to 

 stand. Should both stand, this method will prolong their 

 season, as when the crop on the south side is exhausted, that 

 on the opposite will be fit for use. 



PLANTING ESCHALOTS. 



If eschalots were not planted in January, now is the propei 

 season for that purpose, ample directions for which will be 

 found in the preceding month. 



