Crops Grown for Their Leaves 243 



they may be used for forcing during the winter. Trim 

 the roots to be used for forcing to a length of 8 inches, and 

 cut away the leaves, allowing a short " crown " to remain 

 on the roots. Then set the roots, about 4 inches 

 apart, in a box, placing earth about them to the level of 

 the crowns. Water the soil thoroughly, and the next day 

 add about 8 inches of clean sand. Place the box in a 

 moderately warm cellar (a temperature ranging from 50 

 to 60 is excellent) and keep the sand and soil moist. 

 In about 15 days leaves will begin to protrude through 

 the sand, and some of the heads will be ready for use. 

 The same box and soil may be used for forcing suc- 

 cessive crops. The head is a closely compacted, elon- 

 gated cluster of tender and well-blanched leaves. The 

 ease with which this delightful salad may be had during 

 the winter months justifies its thorough trial by the 

 home gardener. 



COOL-SEASON LEAFY CROPS GROWN BY THE TRANS- 

 PLANTING METHOD 



In general, celery, the various members of the cab- 

 bage tribe, pe-tsai, and head lettuce are long-period 

 crops. To obtain good spring or early summer crops 

 before hot weather arrives, the plants are forced by 

 the transplanting method. The late or autumn crops are 

 grown directly from seeds or by transplanting from sow- 

 ings made late in spring, or in southern sections even in 

 late summer. Head lettuce is usually grown best as a 

 spring crop. Early and late crops of celery, pe-tsai, and 

 the various cabbages may be grown, but the main crops of 

 these mature in autumn. In many sections of the north- 



