CHAPTER XI 



VEGETABLES WITH EDIBLE LEAVES OR 

 STEMS— OTHER CROPS 



The leaf- and stem-crops other than the cabbages and 

 their kind are not closely related botanically. They belong 

 to different natural families, whereas the cole crops all 

 belong to the mustard family and even to the one genus 

 Brassica. In this chapter are brought together — since 

 the cultural requirements are somewhat similar — such 

 plants as lettuce, endive, spinach, celery, chicory, parsley, 

 cress, asparagus, artichoke. 



LETTUCE 



In the outer tropical and in the subtropical lands, 

 lettuce seed may be first sown just before the commence- 

 ment of the cool season, perhaps in October in northern 

 regions. After this, successional sowings may be made. 

 Lettuce flourishes well in the trade-wind belts at an ele- 

 vation of 2000 feet or so. As it takes two or three months 

 to mature properly, the first heads will not be ready until 

 about the end of the year. If seed is procurable, lettuce 

 leaves may be grown in partly shaded places within the 

 tropics throughout the hot season, but the plants are 

 often weak and do not head well. Lettuce seed in hot 



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