SALAD CROPS 



The three most important Salad Crops are Lettuce, 

 Celery, and Parsley. In addition to these. Endive, 

 Chicory, Cress, and Water Cress are commonly grown 

 in many regions, although they are not so generally 

 used as the three first named. * 



Lettuce 



Lettuce finds a place in practically all home gardens 

 and is grown in vast quantities both indoors and out for 

 market. It is one of the most important truck crops in 

 market garden regions. Lettuce has been grown as a 

 garden plant for thousands of years. The original form 

 from which it developed is unknown, though it is sup- 

 posed to have come from the Wild or Prickly Lettuce, 

 now an introduced weed in America, belonging to the 

 great family of Composite plants. 



The form most commonly grown is the Head or Cab- 

 bage Lettuce, of which many varieties are offered in every 

 seed catalogue. This is in general the most satisfactory 

 type either for home use or market. Seeds sown in 

 drills in early spring soon develop seedlings that may be 

 thinned to six to ten inches apart in order that each may 

 have room to head. The soil should be loamy and rich. 

 A light appHcation of nitrate of soda when the plants 

 are half grown is very helpful. Two or three plantings 

 should be made at intervals throughout the summer. 

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