30 BULLETIN 1412, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
from defects is usually in good demand, while poorer stock is dis- 
counted heavily. 
In most markets Iceberg-type lettuce is meeting with increasing 
favor. Onh r a few years ago Big Boston was the leading variety, 
but recently the firm crisp varieties have been demanded by many 
who at one time would not consider buying if Big Boston was not to 
be had. Big Boston moves in decidedly better favor in New York 
City, Philadelphia, and Boston, than in western and mid- western 
cities. About three-fourths of the lettuce receipts in New York 
consist of Big Boston. Nevertheless the Iceberg type is gaining 
rapidly in popularity even in these three markets. 
Leaf lettuce is favorably received in some cities, particularly in 
Cincinnati, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh, but on the whole the loose- 
leaf varieties are not so popular as the heading varieties, and in 
some cities are being crowded from the market. Cos lettuce or 
Romaine meets only a limited demand, mostly from the Italian and 
other Latin peoples. 
The markets prefer standard packages to which the trade is ac- 
customed. Iceberg in the standard western crate, Big Boston in 
the 2-dozen crate or the 1% bushel hamper, and Grand Rapids in 
either the 3-pound or the 10-pound splint basket can be counted 
upon to meet a better demand than if packed in odd containers. 
Lettuce in unusual packages is handicapped in competition with 
stock in standard and attractive packages. The container should 
always be well filled, as there is a strong prejudice against slack 
packs. 
A preference is usually shown for medium sizes. Heads which 
will pack &y 2 to 4% dozen in the large crate or 2 dozen in the flat 
crate generally sell at a premium over very small or very large heads. 
Lettuce of these sizes will pack 30 to 40 heads to the l^-bushel 
hamper. 
Demand continues with considerable uniformity throughout the 
year, yet most markets report a slightly increased activity during 
the Christmas holidays and at Easter. 
These preferences do not remain constant, and may be altered in 
a comparatively short time through advertising, changed standards 
of quality, and other conditions. Therefore, those sections which 
have been laboring under a reputation for undependable quality by 
devoting their attention carefully and persistently to improving the 
quality of their shipments and to bettering their merchandising 
methods, may in a relatively short time establish themselves and 
their product in the good will and confidence of the buying trade. 
PRICES 
Jobbing prices of lettuce frequently show wide daily ranges, re- 
flecting great variation in quality and condition of stocks offered. 
It is not uncommon, for example, for sales of 2-dozen crates to be 
made at prices ranging from 25 cents to $2 or even more in a given 
market on the same day, with proportionate ranges on stock in other 
types of packages. Sales of Big Boston usually show wide differ- 
ences in daily prices and more frequent fluctuations than do Ice- 
berg type sales, because of greater uniformity in quality and condi- 
tion of western supplies. 
