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JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



probably do good service. Yet another sowing may be made on 

 a border three weeks later, and transplanting take place ; but it 

 should be remembered that Lettuces move badly in hot, dry 

 weather. 



The simplest and best plan, therefore, to pursue is to 

 frequently sow seed (in one or more long or short rows, according 

 to the requirements of the place) where the plants are to attain 

 their full size. If this is done during April, May, and June, at 

 intervals of about three weeks, and the plants duly thinned out, 

 there is not much fear of Lettuces being scarce even during quite 

 the hottest summers. Cos Lettuces may be grown in rows one 

 foot apart and thinned to distances of from 6, 9, or 12 inches 

 apart in the row, according to whether they are wanted small, 

 medium-sized, or large. Cabbage varieties require rather less 

 room. The rows of the compact growers may be 10 inches apart 

 and 6 inches to 9 inches between the plants in the rows ; while 

 the Neapolitan types require nearly the same space as Cos 

 varieties. Early Paris Market, Golden Queen, and Commodore 

 Nutt are very quick growers, the first ready to cut, and are all of 

 superior quality. All the Year Bound and Perfect Gem give a 

 good succession, the last named being particularly good in every 

 respect. For hot weather the Neapolitan, Marvel and Continuity 

 are reliable and good. The two last named have coloured outer 

 leaves. Good selections of either Paris White or Paris Green 

 Cos are suitable for summer culture, but in my estimation are 

 both inferior to the old Black- seeded Brown Cos. Those who 

 have not yet tried the latter as a summer Lettuce have a treat in 

 store. Sown and planted with one or more Cos varieties, the 

 Brown Cos will give a natural succession and be slower in run- 

 ning to seed. It sometimes requires to be tied up in order to 

 have perfectly blanched hearts, but it well repays one for the 

 trouble. The hearts are nearly white and crisp, and the flavour 

 is the most delicate of all. It more nearly approaches the ideal 

 than any other variety I know, and must have been known to 

 the American who wrote : " Lettuce is like conversation — 

 you scarcely notice the bitter in it. Lettuce, like most 

 talkers, is, however, apt to run rapidly to seed. Blessed is that 

 sort which comes to a head, and so remains, like a few people I 

 know, growing more solid and satisfactory and tender at the 

 same time, and whiter at the centre, and crisp in their maturity." 



