LETTUCE 



149 



be planted between young plants of the cabbage family. 

 It is managed partly according to its types, of which 

 botanically there are four : head lettuce, cut- or curled- 

 leaved, the Cos (with upright leaves) and the narrow- 

 leaved. For this last see Asparagus Lettuce, and for 

 practical purposes add to the list the bunching or loose- 

 heading type, which is the earliest of the lettuces. 



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Fig. 72. Lettuce seedlings. Natural size. 



Lettuces vary in color (reddish borders or blotches) 

 and in the shape of the leaves, the edges of some being 

 finely crimped or curled. Seedsmen distinguish between 

 white- and black -seeded lettuces, the former grown 

 chiefly for forcing, the latter chiefly out-of-doors. 



Lettuce may be grown throughout the winter by 

 the help of forcing methods, not considered here. For 

 outdoor gardening the earliest crop is started under 

 glass, and either set out or allowed to mature in the 



