LETTUCE 289 



is not a hard matter to decide. There are several varieties of each 

 type that sell well on the market. The only other point to be con- 

 sidered is the adaptability of a sort to the soil and climate, or, if 

 cultivation is under glass, the matter to be considered is the prep- 

 aration of a compost and the maintenance of conditions congenial 

 to the variety to be grown. 



Among the standard head lettuces are the following : (i) Big 

 Boston, a large sort standing heat well and making good heads 

 under rather adverse conditions ; (2) Black Seed Tennis Ball, a 

 smaller headed type of much the same character though less hardy ; 

 (3) California Cream Butter, a satisfactory sort for outdoor culture 

 in some localities. Standard cutting lettuces are (i) Simpson's 

 Blackseed, a strong growing sort well suited to either house or 

 outdoor culture ; (2) Grand Rapids Forcing, eminently suited to 

 house culture. 



Harvesting and marketing. The methods of harvesting and 

 marketing lettuce are predetermined by two factors the distance 

 to market and the type of plant grown. 



Gardeners who supply a local market where a small quantity of 

 truck is handled frequently prepare their lettuce for market by 

 lifting the plants with some earth adhering to the roots and plac- 

 ing them in small shallow boxes that will hold twelve plants. This 

 enables the dealer to keep the plants in prime condition much 

 longer than would be the case if the roots had been removed. This 

 method of marketing is expensive, and when long-distance ship- 

 ments are involved and railroad transportation becomes a factor, 

 it is impracticable. 



Lettuce for railroad shipment is cut close to the surface of the 

 ground and all dead or discolored leaves removed. The heads are 

 then packed either in barrels of cracker-barrel size made of slats or 

 staves to give ample ventilation or, better, in tall barrel-high stave 

 baskets of a half-barrel capacity. The cutting should be done early 

 in the morning if possible, while the tissues of the plant are all 

 tense and full of sap. Heads cut at this time will stand transpor- 

 tation better than those cut after the sun has shone upon them for 

 some hours. The baskets, after having been packed closely, are 

 covered with a slat top made to fit the rim of the basket, which is 

 fastened in place by a wire or tin fastener. As soon as packed, the 



