Lamb's Lettuce, Or Corn Salad, {Valerianella olitoria,) is grown for winter and spring salads. The first dish formerly brought to table, was a red herring set in a corn salad.

Soil And Situation

It will flourish in any soil that is not particularly heavy; the best is a sandy moderately fertile loam, in an open situation.

Time And Mode Of Sowing

Seed may he sown in February and the two following months, and once a month during the summer, if in request; but it is not so palatable during this season. Lastly, during August and early in September, the plants from which will be fit for use in early spring, or during the winter, if mild. Three sowings are in general quite sufficient for a family, viz., one at the end of February, a second early in August, and a third early in September.

The seed sown in drills, six inches apart. The only cultivation required is the keeping the plants free from weeds by frequent hoeings, they being previously thinned to four inches asunder. They should always be eaten quite young. In summer, the whole plant may be cut, as they soon advance to seed at this season; but in spring and winter the outer leaves only should be gathered, as directed for spinach.

To Obtain Seed

Some of the spring-raised plants must be left ungathered from. They flower in June, and perfect their seed during the two following months.