FORCING OF LETTUCE 205 



More space is probably devoted to Lettuce today than to any other vege- 

 table or salad. There is always a heavy demand for it in every month of the 

 year, and the hothouse produce is generally away ahead of salad grown in the 

 garden or open field, especially when grown in solid beds. The private gar- 

 dener knows well enough how important it is to have always a full supply on 

 hand. The general public also has been educated to appreciate the value of 

 this health-giving green all the year round. Another thing in favor of the grower 

 is, that the returns are quick, as three or four crops may be gathered from a 

 house during the forcing season. 



TREATMENT OF LETTUCE AND HOW TO KEEP A CONSTANT SUPPLY 



Proper soil plays an important part in the successful culture of Lettuce. 

 When growing this crop in the open, we find that it thrives splendidly in a rich 

 sandy soil with good drainage. While it will withstand much moisture at the 

 roots, good drainage is necessary. If grown in solid beds, it does not often 

 require water. Sometimes the surface will appear dry, but on close examina- 

 tion plenty of moisture will be found below. This will encourage root action 

 to penetrate down, whereas watering often will keep the surface wet and en- 

 courage surface roots. With Lettuce we prefer to have the roots work down, 

 for then we shall have a strong, vigorous growth, that will stand by the plant 

 until maturity. Rich, open, porous soil that will make Lettuce grow well in 

 the garden will do the same in the house. Quick growth is essential in Lettuce, 

 and this cannot be had on impoverished soil. 



SOIL FOR VEGETABLE HOUSE 



For a vegetable house with solid beds ten inches or a foot of rich soil is 

 none too much, provided there is perfect drainage below. A good coat of farm- 

 yard manure, thoroughly decayed if possible, seems to suit the requirements 

 of vegetables. I do not approve of green manure for an indoor crop. A light 

 coat of wood -ashes, according to the nature of the soil, may be sowed on the 

 surface just before planting time. Wood ashes is, in fact, good for all green- 

 house vegetables. 



The greenhouse Lettuce crop should come in about the time when the 

 outdoor supply is cut down by frost, which will occur any time from the middle 

 of October to the first of November, within a radius of about 200 miles of New 

 ^'ork City. Preparations should therefore be made to have the supply about 

 ready at that time. In many private establishments vegetables in frames 

 take the place of the outdoor product for at least a month or six weeks. Ex- 

 cellent Lettuce can be produced in this way, until severe freezing sets in, when 

 it is less troublesome to rely on the greenhouse product. Lettuce for framework 

 should be sowed about the end of August; then, if everything goes well, the first 

 crop should be ready for use about the first of November. The seed may be 

 sown in flats, and for early planting frames are convenient to bring them along. 

 Later on the lettucehouse can furnish the supply for the Winter. 



