1522. Tur Vecreraste Inpustry 1n New York STATE 
apart, at the rate of from one to two pounds per acre, depending 
upon the amount of moisture in the soil. Should the soil be 
very dry the seed may be soaked until sprouts appear, then dried 
quickly and sown. When plants have their second leaf, thin to 
twelve inches in the row. These sowings may be continued a few 
days apart throughout the entire season. 
CULTIVATION 
Start cultivation as soon as the rows can be seen distinctly, 
using some of the many wheel hoes for this purpose. Continue 
these cultivations as long as possible without injury to the plants. 
No one tool will do satisfactory work under all conditions. We 
use various types of wheel-hoes as well as hand-hoes, since con- 
ditions may vary. We also hand weed whenever necessary. 
Lettuce is a very rapid grower, and is usually well headed in 
seven or eight weeks from time of sowing, except late in the fall. 
CUTTING AND PACKING 
The common butcher knife is used for cutting and removing 
all soiled and diseased leaves from the heads, which are placed 
in a hamper. These hampers are carried to the lettuce bench 
where the heads are sorted and packed in boxes and hampers 
according to grade. 
The box used is 16 inches wide, 23 inches long and 8% inches 
deep. This holds two dozen heads of No. 1 lettuce and thirty 
heads of No. 2. The No. 3, or third grade, may be packed in the 
regular half-barrel hamper. 
To obtain the best results in getting the lettuce to market in 
a crisp, firm condition, it should not be packed in the hot sun. On 
hot, sunny days, cut early in morning and late in afternoon and 
take to the packing shed to sort and pack. 
SITIPPING 
Before loading, cars should be cooled by having ice boxes filled 
twenty-four hours before the lettuce is put in. Place five boxes 
in a row across the car, dividing the space, which leaves three or 
four inches between the boxes. Pack these boxes five high with 
one-inch strips between each row. A ear will accommodate about 
