358 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



the same ground, several crops being marketed during 

 the season. 



496. Cultivation. — Wheel hoes and hand hoes are used 

 frequently. When sowing in the open it is important 

 to use land as free as possible from weed seeds, to avoid 

 unnecessary expense in weeding and cultivating. 



497. Irrigation. — Few crops are benefited more than 

 lettuce by irrigation. Crispness and high quality are 

 the results of rapid growth, which is dependent upon 

 a large amount of soil moisture. When the plants are 

 provided with plenty of moisture they are not only more 

 tender and of better quality, but they attain a marketable 

 size much sooner, and the land thus becomes available 

 in less time for another crop. 



498. Marketing. — The half-barrel hamper (Figure 48, 

 b) is the most popular package for shipping lettuce from 

 the South. On Long Island and in Philadelphia County, 

 Pa., barrels are often used. Various styles and sizes of 

 baskets and crates are used on local markets. Refriger- 

 ator cars are utilized in shipping lettuce when weather 

 conditions require their use. 



499. Yields and returns. — An acre of lettuce should 

 cut at least 30,000 heads, but a greater number is often 

 produced. Henderson calls attention to a grower who 

 realized a profit of $1,000 an acre. There are doubtless 

 many small areas near good local markets that do as 

 well. Prices for the shipped product vary greatly from 

 year to year, or at dififerent seasons of the same year. 

 The crop is usually profitable when prices are satis- 

 factory. 



500. Enemies. — The enemies are not generally serious. 

 Plant lice, which are troublesome under glass, some- 

 times cause injury to the field crop. Blights and other 

 fungous diseases appear from time to time, but their 

 attacks are seldom of a serious character. 



