180 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



[June, 



move easily, than if they were planted on a level piece of 

 ground, independently of the greater length of time that the 

 moisture is retained about the roots of the plants. 



Some lettuce-seed may now be sown, for the raising of plants 

 to supply the table in July, August, and September. For 

 this sowing we recommend the cos, Silesia, the brown Dutch, 

 the imperial lettuce, and the great white Dutch cabbage-lettuce. 

 Some of these seeds should be sown twice during this month ; 

 a moderate crop in the first or second week, and a similar 

 sowing towards the latter end of the month. 



We have found from experience, that lettuce sown where 

 they are to remain, are not apt to run to seed so soon, as when 

 transplanted. Therefore, if there be ground to spare, sow 

 broad-cast, but thinly, a considerable piece of border, partially 

 shaded, or in an open quarter of the garden, and run the hoe 

 occasionally through them, to desti'oy the weeds and refi'esh 

 the plants. 



If a quantity of the true brown cos have been sown in 

 autumn in an open quarter of the garden, and occasionally 

 hoed, they will be found to last longer for use than any that 

 have been ti-ansplanted, and sown at the same time, and de- 

 cidedly longer than seeds sown early in spring, whether trans- 

 planted or not. 



When any sorts of lettuce are to be saved for seed, set 

 apart for that purpose, some of the finest formed plants, and 

 let them stand two feet apart each way. As they send up 

 their flower-stalks, let them be supported with sticks, to 

 prevent them from breaking. Where different sorts are to be 

 saved, remove each sort to as gi'eat a distance as possible fi'om 

 each other. As lettuce-seeds retain their vegetative properties 

 for years, it may be as well to save only two or three sorts 

 each year, as by this means, they will be less likely to get 

 impregnated with other sorts. 



The following is the Hanoverian method of saving lettuce- 

 seed. Do not wait till the spike of flowers has ripened all 

 the seeds, but cut it over on the first appearance of maturity, 

 and lav it on the gi'ound, when all the florets will ripen their 

 seeds nearly about the same time. 



