80 MARKET GARDENING 



soils tlint hnvo had heavy (h'cssiiifis of manure are best 

 aihiptccl til growing tliis crop. 



Starting the Plants. Lettuce may he transphdited 

 or grown to maturity where sown. For transpl;niling, the 

 seed siiould l)e sown eight to ten weeks liefore the plants are 

 to ])v set in thi^ tiehh The seed should l)e sown in flats or 

 in a seed bed and the seedlings should lie grown under rather 

 cool conditions. 



Planting. The jilanfs may be set in the field as soon 

 as the ground can l.)c gotten into shape in the spring. 

 The plants shoukl not hie set less than a foot apart each way 

 in the field. In hot beds or cold frames, the distance is 

 usually nine ])y nine inches. 



Fertilizer. II(>avy applications of rolled manure should 

 l)e ploughed under. Lettuce does very well, however, 

 if rather fresh inamn-e is used. In any event, for liest results, 

 the soil should be well filled with humus. An application 

 of 1000 to 2000 pounds of a high grade complete fertilizer 

 should be made and harrowed in previous to planting. Top 

 dressings of 200 pounds of nitrate of soda to the acre ,'itiould 

 lie made at inter^•als, after the plants are well estalili; lied. 



Season. Lettuce is a cool weather crop anil sliould be 

 gi'owii onl>- in the spring and fall for heading purposes. 

 The plants will stand several degrees of freezing with no 

 liaini, if they ha\'e l:ieen well hardened before setting in 

 the field. 



Harvesting. Lettuce is counnonly gathered by pull- 

 ing up the i)lants, which are then taken to the packing 

 shed and thoroughly washed, after which the iTiots are cut 

 off, smoothly, just below the lowest leaves. After washing 

 and trinuning, the plants are put into crates, baskets or 

 boxes, for shipping to market. 



Varieties. There are two general types of lettuce; 



