8o 



plant to the beds about the fifteenth to the twentieth of 

 September, and all designed for the Tlianksgiving trade 

 should be in the beds by the first week in October. If the 

 Christmas trade is preferred the seed need not be sown un- 

 til the middle of August. About the first of October a 

 second sowing should be made, and another for tlie third 

 crop about the first of December. 



PREPARATION AND CARE OF THE BEDS. 



When shallow beds are used the soil will need to be re- 

 placed each year, but in solid beds it will suffice if some of 

 the surface soil is removed and the beds filled up with fresh 

 manure, which should be thoroughly worked into the soil. 

 The best compost for lettuce growing is made by mixing 

 one part of fresh horse manure with two parts of rich, 

 sandy loam. If this can be prepared in June and worked 

 over in August it will be in good condition to use by the 

 time it is wanted in September. After setting the plants 

 the beds should be thoroughly wet down, but while the 

 plants are small, care should be taken not to saturate the 

 beds, particularly during dull weather in winter. On sunny 

 days the plants may be wet in the morning, but if they are 

 wet in dull days or at the edge of evening, it is likely to 

 invite the development of mildew and rot. As soon as 

 growth starts the beds should be worked over with a hand 

 weeder and this should be repeated once in two weeks un- 

 til the plants cover the beds. The temperature of the 

 house should be kept below fifty degrees at night and in 

 dull weather. The houses should be kept well ventilated, 

 using the sash which opens opposite to the direction of the 

 prevailing wind when it is possible. Keep coolest just 

 after setting and when they begin to form heads. 



The most troublesome insect pests in lettuce growing is 

 the green fly or aphis, but this can be kept in check if 

 taken in time by the use of tobacco stems. As soon as 



