THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



199 



LETTUCE 



While Lettuce can be grown from early Spring until late in the season 

 (and with the use of frames the year around) , success with it will depend 

 very largely upon using the right type for the particular season or condi- 

 tions under which each successive crop is to be grown. The number of 

 varieties in general culture is so great that it is rather confusing, but if 

 the gardener gets the several distinct types fixed in his mind , he can make 

 his selection intelligently. All varieties can be classed in general in two 

 groups: the loose-leaf and the headed. The former are the easier to grow, 

 but as a general rule, the latter are considered of better quality, although 

 that is mostly a matter of taste. The loose-leaf type is suitable for growing 

 under glass, being for this purpose much less subject to the dreaded rot, 

 which quickly destroys head lettuce under glass, and also for growing out- 

 doors in Spring, early Summer and Fall. With irrigation it can be grown 

 easily throughout the Summer months, but in dry weather runs quickly to 

 seed. The head types of Lettuce may be considered in three sections: 

 the butter head, the cabbage head and the tub. Of these, the loose-leaf 

 is suitable for Spring and Fall use. The hard or crisp heading sorts take 

 longer to mature but form heads which resist the heat and are slower to 

 run to seed, and are good for mid-Summer growth; they are not suitable for 

 forcing. The Cos type, most varieties of which have to be tied up to blanch 

 thoroughly, is quite distinct in appearance and flavor from the other types, 

 but is easily grown and should be given a place in most gardens, even in 

 small gardens, for variety. It is suitable for use during mid-Summer and 

 early Fall. To be of the best quality Lettuce must be quickly grown. It 

 requires an abundance of moisture and a high percentage of available 

 nitrogen in the fertihzer or manure. Well-rotted horse manure is particu- 

 larly adapted to the growing of this crop. The best method of growing 

 Lettuce in the garden for ordinary family use is to sow the seed thinly 

 3^8 to 3^ in. deep in rows 12 to 15 in. apart. A mistake often made in sowing 

 the seed in drills in the 

 open is to let the plants 

 stand too thickly . Thin them 

 out as soon as they are well 

 started to 6 or 8 in. in the 

 row, or even more in rich soil 

 under irrigation. To have a 

 succession of props around the 

 year start plants in January 

 or February for setting out 

 into the frames, and make 

 a small sowing every two 

 weeks or so thereafter, chang- 

 ing the type you use accord- 

 ing to the changing seasons. 

 Partial shading during 

 the hot Summer months 

 will help to improve the 

 quality of the Lettuce. Tender Lettuce 



