The Bulletin. 



Volume 28. North Carolina State Board of Agriculture, Number 9. 



Entered at the Raleigh Post-office as second-class mail matter. 



The Bulletin is published monthly by the State Board of Agriculture. 



RALEIGH, SEPTEMBER, 1907. 



LETTUCE-GROWING 



IN 



NORTH CAROLINA. 



W. N. HUTT, 

 STATE HORTICULTURIST. 



Lettuce-growing in eastern ISTorth Carolina during the fall, winter 

 and early spring months, for shipment to northern markets, has be- 

 come an industry of very considerable importance. The mild cli- 

 mate of the costal plain of North Carolina, moderated by its prox- 

 imity to the ocean, the warm winter sunshine of this southern region, 

 together with a loose, warm,- loamy soil, give apparently ideal condi- 

 tions for the growth of the lettuce plant. A decade or two ago it was 

 not believed that a soft, succulent plant like lettuce could be grown 

 to perfection in this State during the winter months, but experience 

 has amply shown that the finest quality of lettuce can be grown dur- 

 ing the winter and, in many places, without any protection what- 

 ever. 



The lettuce grown in covered frames in winter in North Carolina 

 is the finest of its kind. It goes to market in competition with that 

 produced in Florida and in the greenhouses of northern cities. Mar- 

 ket records show that North Carolina lettuce brings at all points the 

 highest prices. The northern cities, especially in spring, are always 

 looking for fresh early lettuce. The North Carolina spring lettuce 

 goes to market when the northerner is beginning to tire of his long 

 winter and is sighing for something green. When the North Caro- 

 lina crop goes forward it takes precedence over lettuce grown farther 

 south. It, in its turn, gives place two weeks later, when the Norfolk 



