184 GKEENHOUSE MANAGEMENT. 



York city, and there competed successfully with the 

 Long Island and Arlington product. 



Much of the success obtained by these growers is 

 due to the fact that they have varieties well adapted for 

 forcing, and yet the kinds grown at Arlington and Grand 

 Eapids are quite unlike. At the former place, and in 

 fact throughout the lettuce-growing section of New 

 York, New England and New Jersey, the cabbage or 

 head lettuce is grown, the favorite sorts being selected 

 strains of White Tennis Ball. Those that seem best 

 adapted for the purpose arc Hot House, selected and 

 largely grown by W. "W. Eawson of Arlington, Mass., 

 and Belmont or Big Boston, which is the favorite sort 

 with Hittinger Bros, of Belmont. At Grand Rapids, 

 the only kind grown is one obtained by Mr. Davis by se- 

 lection from Simpson, and which is known as Grand 

 Eapids. Although in many markets it has been claimed 

 that only head lettuce would sell, the dealers have sel- 

 dom been able to supply the demand for Grand Eapids 

 lettuce since it was introduced. 



Among the strong points of this variety may be 

 noted (1) its early maturity, as it develops about one 

 week sooner than any other variety ; (2) the closeness of 

 planting that it will admit of, owing to its erect habit of 

 growth. This permits the growing of as large heads 

 when planted six inches each way as can be obtained 

 from the spreading Tennis Ball sorts, at eight inches. 

 (3). It seems to squire less care, and to be less injured 

 by neglect than most other varieties. Improper ventila- 

 tion or watering frequently leads to the appearance of 

 mildew, rot or burning of the leaves, but it is far less 

 noticeable in the Grand Eapids than in any other variety. 



LETTUCE HOUSES. 



The even-span house (Fig. 68) is still commonly 

 used for lettuce growing, but is being supplanted by 

 the three-quarter span house, and by the lean-to 



