LETTUCE 219 
plants, thus involving no extra labor for marking or 
making the holes. 
As much soil as possible is retained on the roots of the 
plants, and they are set at about the same depth as they 
stood in the flats. It is important for the roots to be 
placed in an erect position, as shown by the right hand 
plant in Fig. 74. The left plant is dwarfed in growth 
because the taproot was bent when set in the bed. 
The soil is pressed firmly about the roots, and the beds 
are watered. A rapid workman will plant 500 or more 
plants an hour. Strong, stocky plants will stand erect 
after they have been set in the permanent beds. 
Watering.—The merits of sub-irrigation for lettuce 
were discussed on page 155. Except for the cost of install- 
ing this system of watering, it is ideal for lettuce. Over- 
Fig. 74.—Plants of the same age. One on left dwarfed because the taproot was 
bent when the plant was set in the bed. 
