LETTUCE. 153 



depends on the blanched condition of the stem; and for the 

 same reason in hoeing the soil is drawn up over the stem. 

 They transplant very easily when the soil is moist, but should 

 have the tops trimmed off as recommended in transplanting 

 onions. If they are not transplanted, especial care should be 

 taken to draw the soil towards the plants in hoeing. They 

 may be stored in the same manner as celery, and are mark- 

 eted in bunches the same as green onions. 



Varieties. There are several varieties which vary in form 

 and color. 



Large Flag leek is a popular sort and. perhaps, more 

 largely grown than any other. 



Scotch Flag or Musselburgh leek is longer than the above 

 but not quite so large round. 



LETTUCE. [Lactuca saliva.) 



Native of India or Central Asia. — Annual. — Flowers yel- 

 low, on seed stalks two or more feet high: seeds small, flat, 

 white or black but sometimes yellow or reddish brown in col- 

 or. The shape and size of the leaves also vary greatly; some- 

 times they form a head like the cabbage and again only a 

 loose bunch. The foilage is generally of some shade of green, 

 but some varieties have leaves of a reddish color. 



Cultivation. Lettuce is largely grown in greenhouses dur- 

 ing the winter, in hotbeds and cold frames in the early spring 

 and outdoors in the late spring and until severe weather in 

 autumn. It is a very important crop for the market gardener, 

 as there is some demand for it at all seasons of the year and 

 a large call for it in the spring. Some growers making a spe- 

 cialty of this crop have it in marketable condition every 

 month of the year. In some sections, the plants may be start- 

 ed in September and when of good size transplanted to a cold 

 frame, where they may be safely wintered over. In the spring 

 they are used for planting in hotbeds and in the open ground- 

 In the extreme Northern states, however, although plants fre- 

 quently come through the winter safely when thus protected, 

 it is not a method to be depended upon. It is customary here 

 to raise the plants for spring planting, in greenhouses or early 

 hotbeds. Lettuce may be transplanted to the open ground as 

 soon as the soil will work easily in the spring, but it should 



