1892.] ESSAYS. 167 



ately warm and moist. But in our zeal to study and follow 

 nature we should not lose sight of the fact that we are growing 

 the crop under unnatural conditions and for other than nature's 

 uses. In the economy of nature the law seems to be merely the 

 perpetuation of the species or the sustenance of a higher order 

 of creation, but our aim is not only to perpetuate, but to improve 

 the species and minister to the comfort, health and happiness of 

 man, the highest order of creation, and if possible add some- 

 what to our own store of wordly treasure. Another fruitful 

 cause of an unhealthy condition of lettuce, is keeping it too close 

 and growing it too fast at night and in dull cloudy weather. 

 When there is much heat under it there should be a little ventil- 

 ation left on during the night. The beds must be covered every 

 day if possible and in case of a heavy snow storm when they 

 cannot be uncovered they should be ventilated. 



When the rot is caused by webs of moisture that sometimes 

 collect on the soil a liberal sprinkling of coarse sand is an 

 effectual remedy. The watering of the beds is a very important 

 part of the work, the time to water and the amount to use will 

 depend on the weather and the size of the lettuce ; during the 

 short days and when the plants are small I would water in the 

 morning of a sunny day, this gives the soil a chance to dry off 

 and warm up before night. When the lettuce covers the ground 

 and is beginning to head, I would water after 3 P. M., this 

 gives the water a chance to soak into the ground and feed the 

 plants instead of being evaporated too quickly by the heat of 

 the sun, and, what is more important it prevents scalding in the 

 head, which is apt to result if w^atered in the morning and the 

 sun shining on it during the day. Of the great number of 

 varieties but few are really desirable for market ; for the amateur 

 who o;i-ows for his own use and to give to his friends, the list is 

 longer. For market the white seed Tennisball for glass and the 

 black seed for field culture are the best. The Boston-curled is 

 very showy and a limited amount is demanded, though more for 

 garnishing than to eat, as it is very tough. 



The Hanson is tender, nice lettuce, but it grows too large to 

 be profitable ; we can't sell dozens enough. The black seed 

 Tennisball is large enough to suit any reasonable consumer, and 



