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are much more commonly grown in the west and 

 north. They are much less subject to diseases and 

 insects and consequently much more easily and 

 surely grown. 



The cos lettuce is a type having long leaves with 

 comparatively thick and heavy midribs and with a 

 tendency to head loosely in such a way as to cause 

 the inner portions to become well blanched. This 

 variety is not in general cultivation in this country 

 as yet, but its popularity is rapidly increasing, and 

 larger and larger acreages are to be found every 

 season. 



Lettuce requires a rich, sandy loam for its best 

 development. For the very early crops the sandier 

 types of soils are usually preferred on account of 

 their quickness. When grown in the fall the 

 heavier types of soils, more retentive of moisture, 

 are generally selected. An abundance of de- 

 caying organic matter is always essential and 

 heavy applications of commercial fertilizer are 

 always made by the most successful growers. 

 Liberal use of nitrate of soda after the plants once 

 become well established either indoor or out will 

 give splendid results. 



The seed may be sown out of doors under field 

 conditions, or under glass, and the young plants 

 transplanted to the field. For the early crops it is 

 the common practice to sow seed under glass from 

 8 to ID weeks before the time it is to be trans- 

 planted to the field. The seeding may be done in flats 

 or directly in the beds. When the plants are two to 

 three inches high they are "pricked" off into other 

 locations from two to three inches apart in each direc- 

 tion. This intermediate transplanting produces strong, 

 stocky plants that better withstand the removal to out- 



