CHAPTER IX 

 STARTING PLANTS 



Plants of high quality are essential to success in the 

 production of any greenhouse crop. Profits are often 

 diminished because inferior plants are used in setting the 

 beds. They should be of the proper size, not too large 

 nor too small, and ready for the beds the very day. any 

 space becomes vacant. They should be strong, stocky 

 and vigorous rather than weak, spindling and succulent. 

 The color of the leaves should be dark green rather than 

 pale green. It is especially important that they have a 

 well-developed root system. The management of the 

 young plants should be so skillful that there will be no 

 evidence of diseases and insects when they are transferred 

 to the permanent beds. 



Fig. 41. Two nurseries in a four-acre Boston range, 

 different sizes. 



Note lettuce seedlings of 



Seed of high quality. Failures are often due to poor 

 seed. The greenhouse grower, who usually makes suc- 



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