13S GARDEN STEPS 



If you plan to eat this lettuce as soon as it is large 

 enough, it may be planted rather closer than half an 

 inch and the leaves pulled here and there as they 

 grow. Such plants, however, which have been 

 crowded when young, will develop little root growth, 

 and will not be suitable to set out in the row for 

 heads. When plants for setting out are desired, 

 they must have plenty of room, at least two inches 

 each way, as soon as they begin to grow. 



Transplanting. — In setting out, allow about six 

 inches in the row and have the rows from one foot 

 to two feet apart. For general garden work, a foot 

 is rather narrow space to work in. Mark off the 

 rows and dig holes three inches deep with the trowel, 

 removing all stones. Be sure that the earth all about 

 the holes is thoroughly moist. Fill them with water 

 and let it soak in a few minutes. Then take up as 

 much earth as you can with the lettuce roots, and 

 set the roots in the hole so they will be spread out. 

 Gather the earth firmly about the roots, press down 

 with the fingers, and scatter a little dry earth loosely 

 over the spot, to keep the surface soft and hold the 

 moisture in. 



Before leaving the plant, nip off the larger outside 

 leaves. Remember that the root is not able at first 

 to draw much nourishment from the new soil about 

 it. If it tries to support all the leaves it was sup- 

 porting before, these leaves must suffer from the 

 change. If only part of the leaves are left for the 



