100 LETTUCE. 



out into the soil of the bench through the drainage hole 

 in the bottom of the pot. Being thus buried in the soil, 

 the little pots do not dry out as rapidly as they would 

 do were they exposed to the air. 



"The soil in the pots is sufficient to support a vigor- 

 ous growth, and yet when the roots have filled the pots 

 the plants appear to make a more compact growth and 

 head quicker than they do when grown in beds where 

 the extension of the root system is unchecked. Another 

 advantage of this method consists in the fact that the 

 plants are transplanted but once, namely, from the flats 

 to the pots ; thus the check to the growth by a second 

 transplanting is avoided. 



"The plants may be marketed without disturbing their 

 roots, and for this reason they keep fresh for a longer 

 time than do the plants whose roots are disturbed in pre- 

 paring them for market. When the plant is ready for 

 market it may be knocked out of the pot and the ball of 

 earth, containing the roots undisturbed, may be wrapped 

 snugly in oiled paper. The earth will thus keep moist 

 for a long time, and furnish moisture to the plant through 

 the roots which are imbedded in it. Local customers 

 may be supplied with lettuce in the pots and the pots 

 returned after the plants are taken from them. Grocers 

 and other retail dealers readily appreciate the advantages 

 of having lettuce grown in this way. It permits them to 

 keep the lettuce on hand for a considerable length of time, 

 and still present it to their customers crisp, fresh and at- 

 tractive, instead of wilted and unattractive. 



"The moment a pot is removed from the bench 

 another may immediately be set in its place without 

 waiting to clear the bench, or any portion of it, of the 

 rest of the lettuce. The method thus proves economical 

 both of time and space. 



"This method will undoubtedly commend itself to 

 growers who are forcing lettuce to a limited extent. 

 Whether it can be employed to advantage by those who 



