80 MARKET GARDENING 



soils that have had heavy dressings of manure are best 

 adapted to growing this crop. 



Starting the Plants. Lettuce may be transplanted 

 or grown to maturity where sown. For transplanting, the 

 seed should be sown eight to ten weeks before the plants are 

 to be set in the field. The seed should be sown in flats or 

 in a seed bed and the seedlings should be grown under rather 

 cool conditions. 



Planting. The plants may be set in the field as soon 

 as the ground can be gotten into shape in the spring. 

 The plants should not be set less than a foot apart each way 

 in the field. In hot beds or cold frames, the distance is 

 usually nine by nine inches. 



Fertilizer. Heavy applications of rotted manure should 

 be ploughed under. Lettuce does very well, however, 

 if rather fresh manure is used. In any event, for best results, 

 the soil should be well filled with humus. An application 

 of 1000 to 2000 pounds of a high grade complete fertilizer 

 should be made and harrowed in previous to planting. Top 

 dressings of 200 pounds of nitrate of soda to the acre should 

 be made at intervals, after the plants are well established. 



Season. Lettuce is a cool weather crop and should be 

 grown only in the spring and fall for heading purposes. 

 The plants will stand several degrees of freezing with no 

 harm, if they have been well hardened before setting in 

 the field. 



Harvesting. Lettuce is commonly gathered by pull- 

 ing up the plants, which are then taken to the packing 

 shed and thoroughly washed, after which the roots are cut 

 "off, smoothly, just below the lowest leaves. After washing 

 and trimming, the plants are put into crates, baskets or 

 boxes, for shipping to market. 



Varieties. There are two general types of lettuce; 



