278 GARDEN FARMING 



The field crop at Norfolk, Virginia. About Norfolk lettuce 

 is grown in the open in beds 5 or 6 feet wide and of any con- 

 venient length, the plants being set about I o inches apart each way. 

 The areas used for this crop are usually well-drained, sandy loam 

 heavily treated with well-composted stable manure. In spite of the 

 fact that the region where winter lettuce is grown in the open is 

 almost entirely surrounded by the sea and has a naturally warm 

 soil, the grower should take the added precaution to choose a loca- 

 tion protected from the prevailing winds by natural barriers. An area 

 in the lee of a forest of sufficient density and extent to break the 

 wind is considered a desirable location. Growers seldom feel satis- 

 fied with this, and those who are most successful increase the safe- 

 guard by the erection of fences of various kinds around three sides 

 of the area to be used for the cultivation of tender or extra early 

 crops. The plan is to shut out chilling winds and husband the 

 warmth of the sun. The fence acts as a windbreak and also as a 

 reflector. The fenced areas vary in size from ^ to I acre and are 

 usually somewhat longer than wide, having the opening to the 

 south or southeast, in order to take advantage of the sun when 

 lowest in the south. The beds usually run parallel with the 

 longest line of fence. 



Well-hardened lettuce plants set out in October will survive the 

 winter and come into growth early in the spring in normal seasons, 

 giving a marketable product early in April. There is always more 

 or less risk in growing a crop as tender as lettuce in this manner, 

 but the fact that it is successfully done with the present varieties 

 by our most skillful cultivators indicates that, with the breeding of 

 varieties especially adapted to this method of culture, the industry 

 might be considerably extended. This is, to be sure, the most 

 extensive plan of cropping used in the cultivation of lettuce. 



The field crop in Florida. In Florida on suitable soil the crop 

 can be successfully grown in the field, as shown in figure 105, with 

 even less expense in the way of screens and windbreaks. The 

 question of profit, however, takes on a different aspect. Lettuce 

 can be successfully shipped only within certain limits ; the express 

 rates are also a limiting factor. This matter of expense can only be 

 dealt with by each grower for himself. When express rates exceed 

 75 cents or $1.00 per half -barrel basket, it is questionable if a 



