1050 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



plants that were to be grown in pots were transplanted into 24 in. 

 pots, and those that were to be grown in the open were transplanted 

 into flats. Between 2 and 3 weeks later the plants were set in a bed, 

 where they remained about 10 weeks. At the time of transplanting 

 into the bed the White Seeded Tennisball plants grown in flats were 

 about 20 per cent higher than those grown in pots, and the Grand 

 Eapids plants grown in flats about 13 percent higher than those grown 

 in pots. At the time of harvesting the crop the average weight of the 

 White Seeded Tennisball plants grown without pots was 00.32 gm., and 

 that of the ones grown in pots was 48.76 gm. The Grand Rapids 

 plants grown without pots averaged 154.8 gm. in weight and those 

 grown in pots averaged 107.22 gm. In the second test Grand Eapids 

 lettuce was used alone. Instead of transplanting part of the young 

 seedlings into flats, as was done in the previous test, all of them were 

 potted. When placed in the permanent bed, part of the plants were 

 removed from pots and the others were plunged in soil with the pots, as 

 in the first crop. The two lots of plants were of equal size when set 

 in the bed. The plants remained in the bed about seven weeks. When 

 harvested the plants grown without pots had an average weight of 

 203.03 gm.; those grown with pots an average weight of 150.0 gm. 



A test was made to determine whether lettuce plants when set 8 in. 

 apart yield as much in weight per square foot as when set in. apart. 



" The result of this comparative test was very much in favor of the close planting, 

 a yield of 567 gm. per square foot heiug ohtained from those set 6 in. apart as against 

 313 gm. from those 8 in. apart, making a gain in favor of the former of over 80 per 

 cent. It should be said, however, that the plants were marketed when those set 6 

 in. apart were commencing to crowd each other for space, hence those set 8 in. apart 

 had not grown as large as they probably would have done if allowed to remain 

 longer." 



To test a supposition that lettuce plants lose weight by "bleeding" 

 when Cut from the roots in marketing, some plants were cut off even 

 with the soil and others were pulled up. The plants were weighed, 

 washed, prepared for market, and left in a warm room for hours, 

 when they were again weighed. As to results the author says: 



"The only indication given by this experiment is that it matters little which 

 method is practiced, especially if the plants are sufficiently mature, when probably 

 little bleeding occurs." 



The history of subwatering in greenhouses is briefly given. For 

 three years the station tested a method of subwatering by means of 

 drain tiles cemented together and laid in the bottom of a water-tight 

 bench. The method was abandoned on account of the uneven distri- 

 bution of water throughout the bed. A method adopted by the station 

 is described. It is a modification of the one reported by the Wisconsin 

 Station (E. S. R., 9, p. 557). A zinc pan 3 or 4 in. deep is fitted in the 

 bottom of the bench and a layer of soft brick set edgewise in it to con- 

 duct the water to the soil above. The water is admitted by means ot 

 vertical tubes extending to the bottom of the pan. The lower edges of 

 the bricks are chipped off to form channels for the freer distribution 



