CHAPTER Ix 
STARTING PLANTS 
Plants of high quality are essential to success in the 
production of any greenhouse crop. Profits are often 
diminished because inferior plants are used in setting the 
beds. They should be of the proper size, not too large 
nor too small, and ready for the beds the very day any 
space becomes vacant. They should be strong, stocky 
and vigorous rather than weak, spindling and succulent. 
The color of the leaves should be dark green rather than 
pale green. It is especially important that they have a 
well-developed root system. The management of the 
young plants should be so skillful that there will be no 
evidence of diseases and insects when they are transferred 
to the permanent beds. 
Fig. 41—Two nurseries in a four-acre Boston range, Note lettuce seedlings of 
different sizes. 
Seed of high quality—Failures are often due to poor 
seed. The greenhouse grower, who usually makes suc- 
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