==Forcing.==—­Lettuces do not force well; but as they are so constantly in demand, it is a matter of importance to grow them in every possible way.  Nice promising plants from August and September sowings may be selected from the frames, and planted on gentle hot-beds from November to January, and will do well if tenderly lifted.  The Commodore Nutt and Golden Ball are the best of the Cabbage varieties for forcing.  The Cos varieties do not differ much as to forcing, none of them being well adapted for the purpose; but the Superb White Cos may be brought to fine condition by taking time enough, so as to make a very moderate warmth suffice.  On sunny days the heat should not exceed 75 deg.; but 65 deg. is sufficient, with a night temperature of 45 deg.to 50 deg..

One other method of providing small delicate salading may be adopted to meet emergencies.  On the barrows of itinerant greengrocers in Paris the thinnings of Lettuce crops form part of the general stock, and in this country we do not sufficiently utilise this young tender stuff.  But we have now in view the use of Lettuce in a still earlier stage of growth.  By sowing rather thinly in boxes, kept under glass, a dense growth is produced in a short time which can be cut in the same manner as Mustard.  For this purpose Sutton’s Winter Gathering is especially valuable, or one of the best White Cos varieties should be sown.

==Maize and sugar corn==

==Zea Mays==

Maize is a tender plant of great beauty that may be grown as a table vegetable, a forage plant, or a corn crop; but in the last-named capacity it is rarely profitable in this country, owing to the brevity of our summers.  As an ornamental plant it is entitled to consideration, and the more so because, while adorning the garden with its noble outlines and splendid silken tufts, it will at the same time supply to the table the green cobs that are so much valued when cooked and served in the same manner as Asparagus.

There is a simple rough and ready way of growing Maize, the first step towards which is to prepare a deep rich soil, in a sunny and sheltered situation.  Late in April or early in May dibble the seeds two inches deep, in rows two feet asunder and one foot apart in the rows.  When the plants have made some progress, remove every other one, these thinnings to be destroyed or planted at discretion.  Plants may also be started under glass by sowing seeds in gentle heat in April.  Prick off into pots and gradually harden for transfer to the open.  The crop will almost take care of itself when the weather is warm enough to suit it.  But a deluge of water may be given during the hottest weather.  In its native country, and indeed wherever Maize thoroughly thrives, it is dependent on frequent storms.

==Melon==

==Cucumis Melo==