1522 Tjik Vegetable [industry in New York State 



apart, at the rate of from one to two pounds per acre, depending 

 upon the amount of moisture in the soil. Should the soil he 

 very dry the seed may be soaked until sprouts appear, then dried 

 quickly and sown. When plants have their second leaf, thin to 

 twelve inches in the row. These sowings may be continued a few 

 days apart throughout the entire season. 



CULTIVATION 



Start cultivation as soon as the rows can be seen distinctly, 

 using some of the many wheel hoes for this purpose. Continue 

 these cultivations as long as possible without injury to the plants. 

 No one tool will do satisfactory work under all conditions. We 

 use various types of wheel-hoes as well as hand-hoes, since con- 

 ditions may vary. We also hand weed whenever necessary. 



Lettuce is a very rapid grower, and is usually well headed in 

 seven or eight weeks from time of sowing, except late in the fall. 



CUTTING AND PACKING 



The common butcher knife is used for cutting and removing 

 all soiled and diseased leaves from the heads, which are placed 

 in a hamper. These hampers are carried to the lettuce bench 

 where the heads are sorted and packed in boxes and hampers 

 according to grade. 



The box used is 16 inches wide, 23 inches long and 8V2 inches 

 deep. This holds two dozen heads of No. 1 lettuce and thirtv 

 heads of No. 2. The No. 3, or third grade, may be packed in the 

 regular half-barrel hamper. 



To obtain the best results in getting the lettuce to market in 

 a crisp, firm condition, it should not be packed in the hot sun. On 

 hot, sunny days, cut early in morning and late in afternoon and 

 take to the packing shed to sort and pack. 



SHIPPING 



Before loading, cars should be cooled by having ice boxes filled 

 twenty-four hours before the lettuce is put in. Place five boxes 

 in a row across the car, dividing the space, which leaves three or 

 four inches between the boxes. Pack these boxes five high with 

 one-inch strips between each row. A car will accommodate about 



