ON THE PRODUCTION OF WINTER SALADS. 



19 



that about the 1st of February each alternate plant maybe lifted 

 with a trowel, and planted in a frame on a few warm leaves, or 

 between rows of Potatoes in pits. These soon give a supply of 

 tender Salad, and, with those in the frame, generally keep up a 

 supply till the early autumn-planted ones are ready for use on the 

 south border, which will be from the 1st to the latter part of April. 



To produce Lettuce from April to October is generally easy ; 

 they require to be sown frequently, and planted on good ground, 

 with plenty of water in dry weather. Lettuce in frames require 

 to be grown as hardy as possible. This may be done by having 

 the lights off on all favourable occasions ; but cutting winds 

 must be guarded against, and frost excluded, and they should 

 never be allowed to get dry at the roots. 



Endive, next to Lettuce, is the most important kind of Salad. 

 It is more hardy than Lettuce, which makes it very valuable as 

 a Winter Salad. I grow two kinds, the Green Curled and Eound- 

 leaved Batavian. I make three sowings from the middle of 

 June to the middle of August, and plant them out as they are 

 ready a foot apart, in beds about 5 feet wide . As Lettuce are 

 preferred, I do not supply Endive as long as good Lettuce are 

 out of doors ; therefore some are tied to blanch about the 

 1st of October, and others in batches at intervals to keep up the 

 supply. While they are green they will stand sharp frost, but 

 the blanched parts will not bear it. From about the middle of 

 October the full-grow T n plants are covered with mats on frosty 

 nights. As the season advances and severe frost sets in a 

 32-size flower-pot is placed over each tied-up plant, and leaves or 

 litter over all. By this practice a supply is generally kept up 

 till March. 



Chicory, or Witloef, sown about the 1st of June in drills a 

 foot apart, taken up in winter, and forced in the dark, makes a 

 useful Salad. 



Corn Salad, or Lamb's Lettuce, is a very hardy plant. About 

 the 1st of June is a good time to sow it. It is indispensable, as 

 it stands the winter w T ell, however severe. I always keep it for 

 February and March — the most difficult season to supply a Salad. 



Celery, as well as being supplied plain, is useful for mixed 

 Salads. 



Tomatoes make a delicious Salad. 



S tacky s tuberifera will, I believe, be useful for Winter Salads. 



c2 



