VEGETABLE SEEDS 



Beckert's Seed Store, 101 and 103 Federal St., N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa. 



LETTUCE 



The secret of success with Lettuce lies in the correct selection of varieties for different seasons and in the timely thinning out of the 

 seedlings so as to permit of their perfect development. Lettuce prefers a fine, moderately rich soil and plenty of cultivation. Although it 

 thrives best in cool, moist weather, it will stand a surprising amount of dry weather if the ground is kept in a finely pulverized condition. 



There are four classes of Lettuce. The loose-leaved or cutting varieties do not form solid heads but make large clusters of tender 

 leaves and are good, thrifty growers. The butterhead Lettuces make good-sized, solid, round heads, like little cabbages, with the inner leaves 

 blanched to a light buttery yellow. They do not, as a rule, thrive in hot weather. The crisphead Lettuces make large, semi-solid heads, 



blanched to white in the center, and are the best varieties to grow in warm weather. The 

 Beckert's *C t> *~ os or ^ oma ' ne Lettuces are distinguished by their long, narrow leaves and are particularly re- 



sistant to drought and heat. The first sowing of Lettuce may be made outdoors 

 about the middle of April, at which time the loose-leaf or early butterhead varieties 

 do best. Sow the seed in rows 2 feet apart and the seedlings 

 should be thinned out as soon as they are about 2 inches tall to 

 stand 3 to 4 inches apart in the row. As they transplant readily, 

 the seedings in thinning may be reset in another part of the 

 garden. As the plants develop and begin to touch each other, 

 remove every other one and continue to thin as needed until the 

 plants stand 14 to 18 inches apart and you can get between them 

 with the hoe. For succession, plant the late butterhead or 

 crisphead varieties. A half-ounce of Lettuce seed will sow 100 

 feet of row and produce about 1,500 plants. 



Loose Leaf Varieties 



BLACK-SEEDED SIMPSON. A rapid grower, standing heat and 

 drought well and forming large bushy plants. The leaves are light 

 yellowish green, much crumpled and fringed, crisp and of best 

 quality. Always reliable. Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 25 cts., lb. 65 cts., 

 lb. $1.75. 



DEER'S TONGUE. A cross between a head variety and the Cos 

 type. Very sweet and tender; a fine variety for summer use. Pkt. 

 10 cts., oz. 30 cts., M lb. $2.50. 

 BECKERT'S BROWN CURLED. This Lettuce is very much like 

 Beckert's Golden Curled, except in color. The leaves are deeply 

 tinged with reddish brown and of the best quality. Pkt. 10 cts., 

 oz. 30 cts., M lb. $1.00, lb. $2.50. 

 GRAND RAPIDS FORCING. The leading variety in its class 

 for forcing and also a good variety for extra-early outdoor gar- 

 dening. Grand Rapids forms large, loose bunches of thin, bright 

 green leaves, finely crumpled and fringed, handsome in appearance 

 and of very good quality. Our stock of this fine Lettuce is extra 

 choice. Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 25 cts., M lb. 75 cts., lb. $1.75. 

 THE MORSE. A vigorous grower, suitable for forcing as well as 

 outdoors. It makes good-sized, compact clusters of crisp, tender, 

 somewhat crumpled leaves, light green outside and blanched to a 

 beautiful light yellow in the center. Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 25 cts., 

 K lb. 75 cts., lb. $1.75. 

 EARLY CURLED SIMPSON. A favorite home-garden Lettuce, 

 growing quickly and producing broad, light green leaves, crumpled 

 and fringed, of fine quality. Often sown broadcast and the leaves 

 cut when quite young. Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 25 cts., lb- 65 cts., 

 lb. $1.75. 



BECKERT'S GOLDEN CURLED. (See illustration.) The 

 best Lettuce in its class for spring and early summer crops. It 

 grows rapidly and forms immense loose heads of tender curled 

 leaves. ^ Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 30 cts., M lb. $1.00, lb. $2.50. 



Early Butterhead Lettuces 



These varieties are good for both very early spring and fall sowing. 

 They are quick growers, requiring cool weather for their best develop- 

 ment Make the first sowing as soon as the ground can be prepared 

 in the spring and, for a fall crop, sow again after the middle of July. 



BIG BOSTON. The solidity and large size of the heads make Big 

 Boston the leading Lettuce for forcing and early crop in the North, 

 while it is grown in enormous quantities in the South during the 

 winter months for shipment to northern markets. The "heads 

 often measure 10 inches across; the outer leaves are light green, 

 lightly tinged with brown at the edges; the inner leaves are beau- 

 tifully blanched and of excellent quality. Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 25 cts., 

 lb. 75 cts., lb. $2.00. 



MAY KING. Equally fine for forcing and outdoors; of medium size 

 and practically all head; yellowish green in color with the heart 

 blanched to a rich golden yellow. Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 25 cts., lb. 

 75 cts., lb. $2.00. 



BLACK SEEDED TENNIS BALL. A true butterhead lettuce, an 

 ideal variety for early spring and summer forcing, a close head of 

 superb quality with few outer leaves. 



WAYAHEAD. A very rapid grower and a sure header. It pro- 

 duces handsome, medium-sized, solid heads of the finest quality. 

 Fine for the home-garden. Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 25 cts., }4 lb. 75 cts., 

 lb. $2.00. 



BLACK-SEEDED BIG BOSTON. A variety somewhat similar to 

 Big Boston. Forms large, solid heads; crisp and tender; slow to 

 seed. Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 25 cts., M lb. 75 cts., Ib. $2.00. 



BOSTON MARKET. A leading forcing variety of medium size 

 with crisp light green colored heads, good both outdoors ""and un- 

 der glass. Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 25 cts., Ib. 75 cts., lb. $2.00. 



ALL-HEART. A select strain of the variety, also known as Sala- 

 mander and Black-seeded Tennisball. Although it is very early 

 and a splendid spring Lettuce, it might also be classed as a mid- 

 season sort for it resists heat well and will head under very unfavor- 

 able conditions. The heads are medium in size, light green, com- 

 pact and of the best quality. Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 25 cts., \£ lb. 

 75 cts., lb. $2.00. 



18 



Grand Rapids Forcing 



