D. Iff. FERRY & GO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



27 



LETTUCE, 



French, Laitue. German, Lattich-salat. 

 There is no vegetable which is more universally used than 

 this, and 3-et few people know how inviting and appetizing it 

 is when brought to the table fresh and unwilted. a condition 

 in which it is rarely, if ever, found in our markets, and 

 which can only be secured by growing the plants in one's 

 own garden. So we earnestly urge alf of our readers who 

 can possibly do so. to grow their own lettuce. 



Ci"ltcre. -The qualit\- of lettuce depends largely upon 

 rapid and vigorous growth, and to secure this we need very 

 rich, mellow soil, frequent surface cultivation, and an 

 abundant supply of water. For the earliest crop, sow under 

 glass in March, and thin out the plants so as to prevent their 

 becoming crowded. If it is intended to mature the plants 

 under glass, keep the bed quite close, giving frequent and 

 abundant watering with liquid manure, and shade during 

 very sunny days: if the plants are to be set in the open 

 ground, give all the air possible without freezing the plant. 

 and ■• harden off" by full exposure and withdrawal of water 

 before transplanting. The plants should be set out as soon 

 as a warm spot can be made very rich and mellow. At the 

 time the plants are set out. sow seed in drills fourteen inches 

 apart, and thin out as wanted for the table until they stand 

 eighteen inches apart. Give frequent hoeings. and if possible 

 water during any dry time. The Cos varieties should be tied 

 up seven to ten days before using, in order to blanch the 

 inner le 



During the past few years we have had under cultivation 

 and critical comparison hundreds of European and American 

 varieties, including Oak-leaved, Perpetual. New York, Dea- 

 con. Satisfaction. 'etc.. etc.. and as a result present the 

 following list as including the best of every valuable type. 



EARLY TENNIS BALL, (black seeded;.— "Where a 

 thick and dark leaved head lettuce for forcing is desired this 

 is the best for culture under glass, but it must have a low 

 temperature and plenty of air. Plant small, very hardy, 

 forming when well grown a compact round head but if 

 planted so as to mature during warm weather, it forms a 

 loose and open head, or none at all. and runs quickly to seed. 

 Leaves thick, crisp and tender, and blanch easily and finely. 

 (rRAND RAPIDS.— Considered by many the best loose 

 headed lettuce for forcing under glass. Leaves medium 

 size, of light, yellowish-green color, much crimped and 

 frilled, thin, but of very upright growth : forms a fair sized 

 but loose head: crisp, tender and of good quality. Owing to 

 its upright habit it may be planted very closely. It is of 

 extremely rapid growth: very little liable to rot: will stand, 

 without spoiling, a week to ten Jays after it is fit to cut, and 

 retains its freshness a long time after cutting. These quali- 

 ties have enabled the market gardeners about Grand Rapids. 

 Mich., to ship this lettuce to Cincinnati and New York, and 

 of it at profitable figures over all competitors. Our 

 stock is true, being grown from seed obtained directly from 

 the originator. 



HUBBARD'S MARKET.— A white seeded variety, very 

 similar to the Black Seeded Tennis Ball. It is not quite so 

 early to mature, but forms a little larger and more open 

 head. Very popular in Boston and other eastern markets. 



BLACK SEEDED SIMPSON. -For those who like a 

 large, thin, exceedingly tender leaf, and for those markets 

 which demand a large, loose head, this is the best variety 

 either for forcing or early sowing out of doors. Plant large. 

 forming a large, loose head: very light yellowish-green in 

 color, so that a little wilting is not noticed. Leaves very 

 large, thin, slightly ruffled and blistered, the inner ones 

 _ yr p^ < iC — nicely blanched, and 



even the large outside 

 leaves are tender and 

 of good quality. By 

 far the most popular 

 variety in Detroit lnar- 

 kets. and one of the 

 best for general mar- 

 ket garden use. as it is 

 very attractive, of ex- 

 cellent quality, and 

 continues a long time 

 in condition for use. 



SIMPSON'S EAR- 

 LY CURLED.— Simi- 

 lar to the last, but 

 the plant is a little 

 smaller and decidedly 

 darker in color and the leaves are more frilled and blistered. 

 Popular in New York markets. 



EARLY CURLED >I LKsi A. -Although this does not 

 come to maturity any sooner than many others, the young 

 plants when sown out of doors can be cut as bunch lettuce 

 the earliest of any, and the leaves are thin and when full 

 grown the sweetest of any. Plant above medium size, bright 

 green in color, growing very elect, but without forming a 

 distinct head. Leaves much longer than wide, and usuallv 

 cupped like those of the Cos varieties, frilled at the edge and 

 vry sweet and tender. 



FERRY'S EARLY PRIZE HEAD.— Careful compari- 

 son for several years with scores of varieties of American 

 and foreign lettuces convinces us that this is by far the best 



variety for those who like a thin, tender, sweet lettuce: but 

 it is sb tender that it is very difficult to market it 

 condition, and so has no place in market gardens ui 

 can be delivered directly to the consumer. Plant large, deep 



Simpson's Early Curled. 



s Early Prize Heao. 



green, so washed with red as often to appear more red than 

 green: forming a head of a dense mass of leaves rather than 

 one like a cabbage, and very slow to run to seed: leaves 

 large, nearly round, frilled at the edge and densely blistered. 

 The}' are exceedingly crisp, tender and good flavored, and do 

 not "become bitter nearly as early as those of other varieties. 

 HANSON.— This is the best heading lettuce grown, and 

 furnishes the best blanched leaves, fully equaling t: 

 the Cos varieties. Unfortunately a great deal of spurious 

 and inferior stock has been sold, thus diminishing its popu- 

 larity, but when pure it cannot fail to give satisfaction, and 

 we think we have perfectly pure and true stock. Plant 



large, forming a large, flat head resembling that of a 

 cabbage, and so slow to run to seed that it often fails to form 

 anv seed stalk. Outer leaves bright green, with prominent, 

 light colored veins, inner leaves white and usually curved 

 and twisted at the base, very tender and sweet. 



PHILADELPHIA BUTTER. OR EARLY WHITE 

 HEAD.— Manv prefer a thick leaved, smooth lettuce, and 

 to meet this demand we present this sort. Plant dark green, 

 with many nearly round, thick leaves formed into a very 

 solid, round head.' which stands a long time without running 

 to seed. Leaves very thick, folded or puckered at the base, 

 the inner ones blanched to a rich yellow color, and exceed- 

 ingly rich and nutty in flavor. 



FRANKFORT HEAD.— The best light colored, smooth. 

 thick leaved head lettuce. Plant light, bright green, with 

 many broad, smooth leaves, nearly all of which are gathered 

 into "a dense, round head, which is slow to run t 

 Leaves very thick, the inner ones blanched to a light yellow, 

 tender and of a rich flavor. 



IUTTERCI 



BUTTERCUP.- A new German variety recently intro- 

 duced. Plant medium sized, with numerous round, smooth 



