10 



New Hampshire Experiment Station [Bulletin 241 



coloration. Other qualities mentioned were freshness, fine texture and 

 tenderness. 



Lack of firmness in the heads was the general complaint regardless of 

 source. It was said that all head lettuce resembled cabbage leaves in 

 that it was too coarse in texture. Because of the various ways of serv- 

 ing, it is essential that the heads be compact. One hotel prefers to slice 

 the lettuce crossways and to cover the pieces with mayonnaise dressing. 

 The more compact heads rec|uired much less dressing. Others cut the 

 heads in quarters and thirds which again requires firm heads. The out- 

 side leaves are used for garnishing and it is necessary that they be fresh 

 and free from discoloration. 



Local grown lettuce has a distinct advantage over that from Boston 

 because it can be delivered to the hotels with a small amount of handling 

 and in fresher condition. Complaints were often made that the lettuce 

 shipped from Boston was not fresh, also that the outside leaves were so 

 badly damaged they could not be used for garnishing. On the whole 

 more recommendations were made for local than for imported lettuce. 

 The main ciualities mentioned for the former were that it is fresher, more 

 crisp and tender and of finer texture. 



The demand for head lettuce is increasing among the hotels and affords 

 a splendid market for a few local growers. 



Spinach 



Considerable difference of opinion was found in the same hotel re- 

 garding what constitutes the best spinach. The manager of one hotel 



16 

 Auousr 

 1988 



Fig. 2 — Comparison of spinach weekly prices taken from Table 3. The price re- 

 ceived by the local grower was in accord with wholesale quotations dur- 

 ing the month of July but was maintained at a high level thereafter re- 

 gardless of terminal market changes. The price received by the Bos- 

 ton wholesaler followed the market trend as shown in the quotation of 

 the Boston Produce Market Report but it held to a wide margin above 

 the quotation. (Approximate express charges from Boston to the White 

 Mountain hotel district of twenty cents a box are added to the two 

 Boston quotations, so that they will be comparable with the price re- 

 ceived by the local grower.) 



