MARKETING LETTUCE 
23 
fourths of the lettuce shipments originated in States in which the 
leading varieties are of this type. Substantial increases in acreage 
and production have been reported during the last few years in 
many of the Eastern States, but the largest gains have been in the 
Western States. As illustrated in Figure 1, car-lot movement from 
these Western States increased tremendously from 1919 to 1923. 
From 41 cars in 1919 Arizona's shipments increased to 1,108 cars in 
1923; California's shipments grew to 15,113 cars; Colorado increased 
its shipments from 7 cars to 1,436; Idaho from 1 car to 1,241, and 
"Washington from 19 cars to 1,081. 
Active movement of lettuce to consuming markets continues 
throughout the year, and the crop is now practically as much an all- 
year product in the markets as are potatoes, cabbage, and onions. 
June ordinarily is the month of lightest shipments, and the heaviest 
movement occurs from December to April. Figures 15 and 16 con- 
vey an idea of the sources of supply and the car-lot movement in the 
United States throughout the year. 
Xearl} T all of the shipments during the first five months of the 
year are from California, Florida, South Carolina, Xorth Carolina, 
and Arizona. In addition, supplies of northern hothouse lettuce are 
received in many markets during this period. As the season pro- 
gresses, movement begins from regions in the Xorth. The markets 
during June and July are supplied mostly from California, Xew 
York, Washington, and Xew Jersey. In August and September the 
markets are supplied chiefly from California, Colorado, and Xew 
York. In October and Xovember shipments come mostly from Cali- 
fornia, Idaho, Xew Jersey, and Xew York, and in December the 
markets draw receipts mainly from California, Florida, and Arizona. 
For California, Arizona, and Florida the record of a calendar 
year includes parts of two shipping seasons. A few States have 
two lettuce crops within the calendar year. Xew Jersey and the 
central district of California are examples of two-crop regions. 
The railroads reported to the United States Department of Agri- 
culture 4.700 car-lot shipments of lettuce in 1916; in 1924 this figure 
had amounted to over 30,000 cars, or an increase of nearly 600 per 
cent in eight years. (See Table 2.) 
Table 2. — Car-lot shipments of lettuce, oij State of origin, 1 1916-192.'i 
State 
1916 -' 
1917 -' 
1918 i 
1919 -' 
1920 
1921 
1922 
1923 
1924 
Arizona... 
Cars 
17 
1,244 
24 
1,528 
Cars 
64 
2,013 
1 
1,116 
Cars 
64 
2,051 
1 
2,352 
Cars 
41 
2,731 
2,134 
1 
245 
1,761 
319 
395 
19 
365 
Cars 
165 
6,350 
125 
3,120 
26 
515 
2,138 
265 
356 
345 
413 
Cars 
166 
9,746 
244 
2,286 
182 
478 
3,361 
448 
583 
632 
490 
Cars 
678 
9,744 
812 
3,323 
889 
571 
3,167 
622 
987 
812 
635 
Cars 
1,108 
15, 113 
1,436 
3,146 
1,241 
456 
3,817 
718 
577 
1,081 
792 
Cars 
2,049 
18, 480 
1,036 
2,257 
Florida. 
Idaho .. 
532 
New Jersey.. __ . .. 
88 
1,062 
83 
132 
1 
521 
215 
1,423 
181 
161 
171 
1,334 
226 
375 
417 
New York . _ . ...... 
3,698 
714 
South Carolina . . 
423 
674 
All others 
254 
385 
655 
Total 
4,700 
5,428 
6, 959 
8,018 
13, 818 
IS, 616 
22, 240 
29,485 
30, 935 
1 In considering this tabulation it should be borne in mind that local truck deliveries and iess-than-car-lot 
shipments by freight or express are not included. Complete and dependable records of these are not 
available, yet in some sections such shipments constitute a considerable proportion of the commercial 
production. 
2 Records prior to 1920 are only approximately accurate. 
