SOILS FOR LETTUCE. 97 
two parts of drift sand and one part of greenhouse soil. 
The sand was obtained from the valley of a stream near 
by, which frequently overflowed its banks, flooding the 
spot where the material was found. The greenhouse soil 
was a mixture consisting of one part of the ordinary clay, 
gneiss soil of the region, and two parts of well-rotted ma- 
nure. Such soil will grow 20 bushels of wheat to the 
acre without fertilization.” 
Whilst all these remarks about the great importance 
of the selection of a proper soil are certainly true, it 
should nevertheless be said that a good gardener can get 
good results from a very uncongenial soil, chiefly by giv- 
ing skillful attention to watering. It is always essential to 
the best lettuce growing, however, to avoid ‘‘heavy’’ 
soils. These soils usually lose their water quickly, neces- 
sitating frequent watering, which keeps the surface wet 
and increases danger from damping-off and rot. These 
soils soon become hard, compact and ‘‘dead,’’ and the 
plants grow slowly, with thick, tough leaves. 
Green (Bulletin 61, Ohio Exp. Sta.) gives the following 
advice upon soils for winter lettuce: ‘‘If the market de- 
mands head lettuce, then it is of the utmost importance 
that the soil should have a considerable per cent of sand, 
and at the same time be sufficiently fertile and have 
capacity for holding moisture. Non-heading sorts, like 
the Grand Rapids, are not so particular as to soil, but it 
is a difficult matter to grow any kind on a soil with 
much clay in it, by surface-watering, and even if sub-irri- 
gation is practiced such soil should be avoided. It would 
be futile to attempt to grow lettuce according to methods 
in vogue in the east on a heavy clay soil. Swamp muck, 
composted with one-fourth or one-half horse manure, 
answers very well for either surface or sub-irrigation, par- 
ticularly for the latter. It has the advantage of being 
light and easily handled, and never hardens; moreover, 
it has considerable capacity for water. The addition of 
fine sand will greatly improve a clay soil, and it is advisa- 
