146 VEGETABLE GROWING PROJECTS 



extra space, especially when a very early product is desired. 

 When assured of a good price, we may be more than justified in 

 using paper pots for starting the plants. These may be two inches 

 square. They are conveniently handled by placing them in flats 

 which may be shifted at your convenience. 



1. How may early lettuce plants be started under glass ? 



W-VG:355. L:115. C : 276. 



2, When should the seed be sown? 



W-VG:355. L:115. C:276. 



10. Preparing the soil. — The instructions given for preparing 

 soil for celery (W : 128) apply equally well for lettuce. The 

 student should also refer to W : 122. Any lack of humus, soil 

 moisture, or available plant food is certain to affect the yield as 

 well as the quality of the crop. The maturity of the crop is also 

 retarded by any unfavorable soil condition. It is exceedingly 

 important, therefore, to be most thorough in the preparation of 

 the soil for this crop. 



11. Planting in the garden. — Lettuce grows best at compara- 

 tively low temperatures. For this reason advantage should be 

 taken of the spring and fall months, thus avoiding as much as 

 possible the hot weather of midsummer, the tendency of which 

 is to cause the plants to produce seed shoots and loose leafy heads 

 instead of compact ones. It is desirable, therefore, to set the 

 plants in the open ground almost as early in the spring as the soil 

 can be prepared. It is generally safe in most northern sections 

 to begin transplanting into the field about April 15. If the plants 

 have been properly hardened, they will stand hard freezing in the 

 field. 



Planting distances for lettuce vary greatly. Ordinarily 10X12 

 inches apart give ample space for the development of good heads. 

 Plants are often set closer when the most intensive methods are 



