Crops Grown for Their Leaves 



253 



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FIG. 141. Head lettuce ready for transplanting. On the right a seedling pre- 

 pared for transplanting by the 'dirt ball" method is shown. The earth in the 

 flat is carefully compacted about the roots, thus preventing them from being 

 broken.- The plant at the left has been carelessly pulled and has little earth on 

 the roots. This plant may grow so slowly after transplanting that it will fail to 

 form a head. 



plants. In transplanting, keep roots intact in a large 

 ball of earth. Transplant to the garden during cool, 

 damp weather. In the garden, supply plenty of water if 

 needed, and cultivate to maintain the earth mulch. 



Some of the round-headed types, as the well-known 

 Big Boston, May King, Iceberg, Salamander, and Hanson, 

 together with Trianon Cos Lettuce, should be tried. The 

 crop should be used before hot weather, for then the 

 plants shoot up into flowers and seed. 



Head lettuce makes an excellent part-companion crop 

 with such a long-season crop as the tomato. 



SHORT-PERIOD COOL-SEASON LEAFY CROPS GROWN FROM 

 SEED IN THE GARDEN 



Leaf lettuce, spinach, peppergrass, and mustard 

 mature leaves so quickly during the cool weather of 

 spring that seed may be sown in the garden where the 



