HOME VEGETABLE GARDENING 



LETTUCE 



to radishes, lettuce is the most popular crop 

 in the home garden. Yet comparatively few people 

 know how to get the best out of this easily grown salad 

 simply because they completely disregard character of 

 the plant and its natural requirements. 



Cool .weather and plenty of moisture are the two most 

 important factors in lettuce culture. Given these, the 

 plants thrive in a remarkably great variety of soils. On 

 poor soil frequent cultivation will often overcome a lack 

 of fertility. By planting sorts adapted to different 

 seasons, crisp salads may be enjoyed all summer. 



The lettuce plant is naturally of a spreading habit 

 of growth and resents being crowded in the row. Nearly 

 all failures to obtain heads from head lettuces are due to a 

 disregard of timely thinning. There are four distinct 

 types of lettuces, namely, the loose-leaf sorts that do 

 not form heads, the butterhead sorts, the crisp-head vari- 

 eties, and the Cos or Romaine lettuces. 



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