LETTUCE 223 



balls of earth are soaked with water before they are sent 

 to market. 



Experiments at the Tennessee station resulted in a 15 

 per cent smaller yield by weight than was obtained by 



Fig. 76. Pot-grown plant ready to set in the bed 



the usual method of setting in beds, but a higher price 

 was obtained for the pot-grown lettuce on the Knoxville 

 market. The lettuce was most attractive in appearance. 

 It appealed to consumers who wanted several heads, and 

 by watering the balls of earth they could keep the heads 

 crisp and tender until the last leaf was consumed. This 

 plan of marketing also enables the grocer to keep the 

 plants for several days, if necessary, in a perfectly fresh 

 condition. While there are some arguments in favor of 

 pot culture, it has not appealed to commercial growers. 

 This method necessarily involves more labor in growing 



