Seed of lettuce, spinach and radish should be sown broadcast and as
early as possible, with later sowings at intervals of about two weeks
for a successive supply. Soil for lettuce and spinach should be of
more than ordinary richness, and should contain sufficient moisture
to insure rapid continuous growth. The best lettuce heads are raised
by sowing seed in a hotbed and transplanting to the open ground when
plants are two inches high. Cabbage varieties should be selected for
this purpose. In this way I have grown heads of the _New York Lettuce_
to weigh two pounds each, under ordinary treatment. _Hanson_, _Burpee’s
Golden Heart_ and _Perpetual Lettuce_ are all good sorts. The _Cos
varieties_ do best if tied up a few days before using, to blanch all
the inner leaves.
The Radish will thrive in any good garden soil, but a light sandy loam
is better than heavily manured ground. In order to be crisp and tender,
the growth should be rapid and unchecked. I can recommend _French
Breakfast_, _Golden Globe_, _White Stuttgart_ and _Chartiers_. The
latter is of unusual merit.