LETTUCE 



219 



plants, thus involving no extra labor for marking or 

 making the holes. 



As much soil as possible is retained on the roots of the 

 plants, and they are set at about the same depth as they 

 stood in the flats. It is important for the roots to be 

 placed in an erect position, as shown by the right hand 

 plant in Fig. 74. The left plant is dwarfed in growth 

 because the taproot was bent when set in the bed. 

 The soil is pressed firmly about the roots, and the beds 

 are watered. A rapid workman will plant 500 or more 

 plants an hour. Strong, stocky plants will stand erect 

 after they have been set in the permanent beds. 



Watering. The merits of sub-irrigation for lettuce 

 were discussed on page 155. Except for the cost of install- 

 ing this system of watering, it is ideal for lettuce. Over- 



Fig. 74. Plants of the same age. One on left dwarfed because the taproot Was 

 bent when the plant was set in the bed. 



