100 LETTUCE. 
out into the soil of the bench through the drainage hole 
in the bottom of the pot. Being thus buried in the soil, 
the little pots do not dry out as rapidly as they would 
do were they exposed to the air. 
‘‘The soil in the pots is sufficient to support a vigor- 
ous growth, and yet when the roots have filled the pots 
the plants appear to make a more compact growth and 
head quicker than they do when grown in beds where 
the extension of the root system is unchecked. Another 
advantage of this method consists in the fact that the 
plants are transplanted but once, namely, from the flats 
to the pots; thus the check to the growth by a second 
transplanting is avoided. 
‘The plants may be marketed without disturbing their 
roots, and for this reason they keep fresh for a longer 
time than do the plants whose roots are disturbed in pre- 
paring them for market. When the plant is ready for 
market it may be knocked out of the pot and the ball of 
earth, containing the roots undisturbed, may be wrapped 
snugly in oiled paper. The earth will thus keep moist 
for a long time, and furnish moisture to the plant through 
the roots which are imbedded in it. Local customers 
may be supplied with lettuce in the pots and the pots 
returned after the plants are taken from them. Grocers 
and other retail dealers readily appreciate the advantages 
of having lettuce grown in this way. It permits them to 
keep the lettuce on hand for a considerable length of time, 
and still present it to their customers crisp, fresh and at- 
tractive, instead of wilted and unattractive. 
““The moment a pot is removed from the bench 
another may immediately be set in its place without 
waiting to clear the bench, or any portion of it, of the 
rest of the lettuce. The method thus proves economical 
both of time and space. 
‘“This method will undoubtedly commend itself to 
growers who are forcing lettuce to a limited extent. 
Whether it can be employed to advantage by those who 
