1240 
centrated commercial fertilizers at inter- 
vals during growth, provided potash and 
phosphoric acid are mixed in the soil 
when the pots and benches are filled. 
One application of sodium nitrate should 
be made while the pots are plunged in 
sand and two after they have been set 
in the permanent bed. Dissolve 30 ounces 
of nitrate in 25 gallons of cold water and 
pour half a pint of the solution around 
each plant. The effect upon the plants 
is remarkable. Growth is not only has- 
tened but the foliage becomes darker and 
more healthy in appearance. 
Varieties for Forcing 
A great many varieties of lettuce are 
recommended for forcing purposes, but 
fortunately it is not difficult to decide 
upon a few that are entirely satisfactory 
for culture throughout the country. 
Of the headed varieties, Boston Market 
leads. It is almost exclusively grown in 
the large establishments near Boston and 
New York. It makes a very solid, com- 
pact head that generally commands re- 
munerative prices. Boston Market and 
other varieties of this class require very 
sandy soils to secure the best results. 
Grand Rapids is a favorite with many 
growers. It is exceedingly hardy, up- 
right and vigorous in growth and not 
liable to rot. The curled leaves form a 
beautiful head, rendering it especially 
desirable for marketing in pots. 
Curled Simpson and  Black-Seeded 
Simpson have been leading forcing varie- 
ties for many years. They have been 
used largely in hotbeds and cold frames. 
The heads of both varieties are more 
compact than those of Grand Rapids but 
not so handsome. Black-Seeded Simpson 
is larger than Curled Simpson and for 
this reason is the more profitable when 
grown to be sold by measure. 
Adapted to Southern Conditions 
Lettuce is an easy plant to grow and 
can be had at a season when most veg- 
etables are scarce. There is such a de- 
mand for this plant that it is a luxury 
on many tables. Many of the varieties 
cannot stand the hot summer sun, but 
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF PRACTICAL HORTICULTURE 
when given a little protection they may 
be successfully grown from September to 
June. The yield is influenced by the soil, 
but with careful management inferior 
soils may be changed to such a degree 
as to grow a satisfactory crop. The best 
soil for lettuce is a sandy loam, or loam 
underlayed with a good porous clay sub- 
soil and one that is well drained. With- 
out a clay subsoil much of the plant food 
will be leached out and lost. A deep 
sandy soil is quicker, but it must be con- 
stantly fed to produce good results, which 
makes it a soil very expensive to operate 
on. Care must be taken to select a soil 
that will not become water-sogged after 
a rain. 
Lettuce is a quick-growing crop, and 
requires a large quantity of humus in 
the soil. Well-rotted barnyard manure 
applied to the soil is one of the best 
means of adding humus to it, but this 
is not always available. A good compost 
heap is another way of securing humus. 
The cheapest substitute for manure is 
the plowing under of leguminous crops. 
Lettuce growers should have their soil 
covered with a leguminous crop of some 
kind, when the lettuce season is over. 
Uniess the grower is willing to give up 
the time and necessary expense to bring 
the lettuce soil up to the above require- 
ments it will not pay to handle the crop. 
Prepare the land by broadcasting stable 
manure or well-rotted compost and then 
plow it deeply. The land should then 
be harrowed until the soil is in the best 
possible condition. These preparations 
should be completed at least ten days 
before the time to set out the plants. 
About one thousand pounds per acre of 
the fertilizer given below should be ap- 
plied to the soil and well incorporated 
with it before the plants are set: 
Acid Phosphate (16%)........-06. 395 Ibs. 
Cotton Seed Meal .....c.cc ce uwens 286 lbs. 
Nitrate of Soda ........ ccc cen eene 125 lbs. 
Muriate of Potash ......ccecsenee 194 lbs. 
Total ce ccc en ccc were wu seen uenee 1,000 Ibs. 
This is a 7-4-10 goods. 
The above should be used in addition 
to manure. When the plants begin to 
head apply about 150 pounds of nitrate 
of soda per acre. An application of 75 
