Beckerfs Seed Store, 101 and 103 Federal St., N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa. 



VEGETABLE SEEDS 



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 Cos or Romaine Lettuces are distinguished by 

 their long, narrow leaves and are particularly resistant 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 seedlings removed 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 



'SMm. Lettuce seed will sow 100 feet of row and produce about 1500 plants. 



LOOSE LEAF VARIETIES 



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, nicely 

 curled, light yellow leaves. Its quality is excellent, always crisp 

 and refreshing, even in warm weather. Beckert's Golden Curled 

 is, in our estimation, the finest home-garden Lettuce. Pkt. 10 cts., 

 oz. 25 cts., Vilb. 70 cts., lb. $2.50. 

 BECKERT'S BROWN CURLED, or Chartier. 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. 25 cts., l/ 4 lb. 70 cts., lb. $2.35. 

 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 o] this fine Lettuce is extra choice. 

 Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 20 cts., i/ 4 lb. 60 cts., lb. $2.00. 

 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. 20 cts., 

 i/ 4 lb. 50 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. 20 cts., V 4 lb. 50 cts., lb. $1.75. 

 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. 20 cts., V 4 lb. 50 cts., lb. $1.75. 

 PRIZE HEAD EARLY. Not a true head Lettuce; produces a large bunch 

 of tender, crumpled and frilled leaves, heavily tinged with brown. 

 Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 20 cts., V 4 lb. 50 cts., lb. $1.75. 



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 development. 

 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 beautifully blanched and of excellent quality. 



Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 20 cts., Vilb. 60 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. 20 cts., V 4 lb. 55 cts., lb. $1.85. 



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

 some, medium-sized, solid heads of the finest quality. Fine for the 

 home-garden. Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 20 cts., V 4 Ib. 55 cts., lb. $1.85. 



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. 20 cts., l/ 4 lb. 50 cts., lb. $1.75. 



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

 and Black-seeded Tennisball. Although it is very early and a splendid 

 spring Lettuce, it might also be classed as a midseason sort for it resists 

 heat well and will head under very unfavorable conditions. The heads are 

 medium in size, light green, compact and of the best quality. Pkt. 10 cts., 

 oz. 20 cts., V 4 lb. 60 cts., lb. $2.00. 



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All-Heart Lettuce 



MIDSEASON BUTTERHEADS 



ALL SEASONS. Easily the most reliable midsummer But- 

 terhead Lettuce. It even surpasses in "standing" qualities 

 some of the crisphead Lettuces described on the next page. 

 Fully developed heads average 10 to 12 inches in diameter, 

 and, while the outside leaves are a rather dull green, the 

 inside of the heads blanches to a most appetizing yellow. 

 Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 20 cts., V 4 lb. 50 cts., lb. $1.75. 



MAMMOTH BLACK-SEEDED BUTTER. Enormous 

 heads of broad, crumpled leaves. Good early or late but, 

 being very heat-resistant, it is particularly valuable as a 

 summer Lettuce and its quality is excellent even in the hot- 

 test weather. Pkt. 10c, oz. 20c, V 4 Ib. 50c, lb. $1.75. 



UNRIVALED SUMMER. Makes large, compact, buttery 

 heads of fine quality. Resembles Big Boston but is suit- 

 able for planting at all seasons. Pkt. 10 cts., oz. 20 cts., 

 V 4 lb. 60 cts., lb. $2.00. 



