228 VEGETABLE FORCING 
quirements. The allowance of more time would nec- 
essarily lower profits for the year, unless the crop were 
held for higher prices. Some markets will handle by the 
dozen, plants which have been in the permanent beds 
only 4 to 5 weeks, and pay good prices for them. Under 
such conditions it would be folly to defer cutting for even 
a day. 
The quality of the heads, as discussed on a previous 
page, should also have consideration. The quality of head 
and Romaine lettuce is particularly influenced by the time 
of cutting. 
Prices should also be taken into account. For example, 
if lettuce is selling at 5 cents a pound and there are evi- 
dences of a stronger market, larger net earnings might 
be realized by holding the crop or at least not cutting in 
very large amounts for a few days or perhaps a longer 
period. Again, if the crop is moving at a high figure, and 
there are special reasons why a decline in price may occur, 
the crop should be moved more rapidly, though if many 
large growers who supply the same markets should do 
this at the same time, prices would be almost certain to 
be forced down. Organization of and co-operation among 
the growers, however, should result in uniform distribu- 
tion and help to maintain remunerative prices. 
The condition of the plants which are to take the place 
of the lot to be marketed is also a factor. If they are be- 
coming spindling and overgrown, it may be better to sell 
the marketable heads at a sacrifice rather than to sacrifice 
the quality of the next lot of plants. 
When the crop is sold by weight, the size of the plants 
should have the most careful consideration. The maxi- 
mum weight of a plant, produced under favorable condi- 
tions, depends primarily upon the length of time it is 
allowed to grow in the permanent bed. If large plants 
are transplanted from pots to the permanent bed, fairly 
heavy plants may be produced in four or five weeks, 
provided there is considerable sunshine. It is seldom, 
