VEGETABLE FORCING 



quirements. The allowance of more time would nec- 

 essarily lower profits for the year, unless the crop were 

 held for higher prices. Some markets will handle by the 

 dozen, plants which have been in the permanent beds 

 only 4 to 5 weeks, and pay good prices for them. Under 

 such conditions it would be folly to defer cutting for even 

 a day. 



The quality of the heads, as discussed on a previous 

 page, should also have consideration. The quality of head 

 and Romaine lettuce is particularly influenced by the time 

 of cutting. 



Prices should also be taken into account. For example, 

 if lettuce is selling at 5 cents a pound and there are evi- 

 dences of a stronger market, larger net earnings might 

 be realized by holding the crop or at least not cutting in 

 very large amounts for a few days or perhaps a longer 

 period. Again, if the crop is moving at a high figure, and 

 there are special reasons why a decline in price may occur, 

 the crop should be moved more rapidly, though if many 

 large growers who supply the same markets should do 

 this at the same time, prices would be almost certain to 

 be forced down. Organization of and co-operation among 

 the growers, however, should result in uniform distribu- 

 tion and help to maintain remunerative prices. 



The condition of the plants which are to take the place 

 of the lot to be marketed is also a factor. If they are be- 

 coming spindling and overgrown, it may be better to sell 

 the marketable heads at a sacrifice rather than to sacrifice 

 the quality of the next lot of plants. 



When the crop is sold by weight, the size of the plants 

 should have the most careful consideration. The maxi- 

 mum weight of a plant, produced under favorable condi- 

 tions, depends primarily upon the length of time it is 

 allowed to grow in the permanent bed. If large plants 

 are transplanted from pots to the permanent bed, fairly 

 heavy plants may be produced in four or five weeks, 

 provided there is considerable sunshine. It is seldom, 



