D. M. FERRY & CO’S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 27 
LETTUCE. 
French, Laitue. German, Lattich-Salat. 
There is no vegetable which is more universally used than 
this, and yet 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 gar- 
den: So we earnestly urge all of our readers who can possi- 
bly do so, to grow their own lettuce. 
CULTURE.—Lettuce should grow rapidly, and to attain this 
end it should be sown in a rich, thoroughly prepared soil. 
For early crop sow under glass in February or March and thin 
out as necessary to prevent crowding. Keep at a moderate 
heat and give all the air and light possible. If it is desirable, 
transplant to open ground as soon as the ground is fit to 
work. Sow out doors as early in spring as the ground can 
be worked, in drills eighteen inches apart and thin the young 
plants to four inches apart inthe row. As the plants begin 
te crowd, thin out and use as required. In this way a much 
longer succession of cuttings may be had from the same 
ground. Sow at intervals of from two to three weeks through- 
out the summer for a continuous crop. In this as in every 
other other garden crop, thorough cultivation is essential. 
We make a careful trial of the various varieties of lettuce, 
both old and new, each season, and feel sure that our list em- 
braces all the kinds that are necessary or desirable. 
Rig te E; eG, ars: Sa em 
Ric iy Z Re ae Se ze EE: ees 
Granpb Rapips. 
GRAND RAPIDS (sEED BLAcK).—AS a distinctively fore- 
ing lettuce this variety undoubtedly stands at the head of the 
list. Leaves medium size, of light, yellowish-green color, 
much crimped and frilled, thin but of very upright growth; 
forms a fair size but loose cluster of leaves which cannot be 
properly called a 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 days after it is fit to cut, 
and retains its freshness a long time after cutting. It will 
stand shipping a longer distance than any other variety of 
this class and still be in good, marketable condition. 
eS os RISO > 5S pot Ate 
Titton’s Wuite Sran. 
TILTON’S WHITE STAR (SEED WHITE).—A new ana 
distinct sort of great merit. Of the Black Seeded Simpson 
type, but grows larger and more rapidly; has a broader. 
thicker, darker colored, less frilled at the edge leaf: forms a 
larger, more distinct and solider central cluster of leaves. 
making almost a head: blanches perfectly and is of excellent 
quality. The plants remain long in condition for use before 
running to seed, and owing to the thick leaf keep long after 
cutting without wilting. Repeafed trials. both for forcing and 
early planting out doors convince us that thisis a decided im- 
provement over other varieties of this class for either purpose 
BLACK SEEDED SIMPSON.—For those who like a 
large, thin, exceedingly tender leaf, and for those markets 
which demand a large, loose cluster of leaves rather than 2 
solid head, this is one of the best varieties either for forcing 
Brack Seeveo SIMPSON. 
or early sowing out of doors. Plant large, forming a large. 
loose head; light yellowish-green in color, so that a little wilt- 
ing is not noticed. Leaves large, thin, slightly ruffied and 
blistered, the inner ones nicely blanched, and even the large 
outside leaves are tender and ‘of good quality. By far the 
most popular variety in Detroit markets, and one of the best 
for general market garden use, asit is attractive, of excellent 
quality, and continues a long time in condition for use. 
SIMPSON’S EARLY CURLED (SEED WHITE).—Similar 
to the last. but the plant isa little smaller and decidedly 
darker in color, and the leaves are more frilled and blistered. 
Popular in New York markets. 
EARLY TENNIS BALL (sEepD BLAck).—A first-class 
head lettuce. and one of the best for forcing under glass or 
early planting out doors. Plants medium size, having thick 
dark green leaves, and when well grown forming compact 
solid heads, which blanch easily and are crisp and tender. 
Should not be planted in the hot weather of summer, as it then 
runs up to seed quickly. This is also known as Stone Tenis 
Bail, on account of its exceedingly solid head. 
HUBBARD’S MARKET (SEED WHITE). —After the style 
of Tennis Ball, but grows larger and is later to mature, and 
the head is a little more open. Popular in some eastern 
markets. 
EARLY CURLED SILESIA (sEED WHITE).—An early 
erect growing, loose heading variety, which may be used very 
young. Color light green; leaves much frilled and savoyed- 
Ferry's Earcty Prize Heap, 
FERRY’S EARLY PRIZE HEAD (SEED WHITE).—The 
enormous demand for this old favorite proves conclusively 
that it has no superior where a thin, tender, crisp and sweet 
lettuce is wanted for the home garden or local market. 
Being so thin leaved and tender it of course wilts very 
quickly after cutting and so is not adapted to growing for 
distant markets, but must be delivered, soon after cutting. 
directly to the consumer. Plant large, deep green. so washed 
