MARKETING LETTUCE 43 
more carefully. There is a marked trend, however, toward im- 
proved grading and packing in the Eastern and Southern States 
that will doubtless go far to redeem Big Boston in the eyes of the 
trade and the consuming public. 
Lettuce is packed in a variety of styles and sizes of containers, 
but there is a noticeable tendency toward standard packages. The 
hamper is losing popularity in the Southeastern States. Flat crates 
holding 2 dozen heads are used in the East and crates holding 3 to 6 
dozen heads are used almost exclusively in the West. The markets 
show a preference for standard packages. The most desirable sizes 
of head lettuce pack 3y 2 to 4% dozen in the large western crate, 
2 dozen in the flat crate, and about 30 to 40 head in the iy 2 -bushel 
hamper. 
Constant improvement is noticeable in the methods employed in 
preparing lettuce for market, and many individuals and organiza- 
tions exercise scrupulous care in maintaining their high standards, 
yet the wide variation in the quality and condition of lettuce ship- 
ments that reach the terminal markets in the United States forces 
the conclusion that many shippers are still failing to devote as much 
attention to this phase of marketing as it deserves. In sections 
where standardized grades have been employed intelligently and 
consistently, and where approved methods of handling and selling 
are being followed, marketing conditions have shown a decided 
improvement. 
Jobbing prices frequently show wide daily ranges, reflecting great 
variation in quality and condition of stocks offered. Prices often 
fluctuate sharply, slumping rapidly and recovering rapidly. These 
changes are more conspicuous in Big Boston prices than in Iceberg, 
because of greater uniformity in quality and condition of western 
supplies. 
As a rule, in those markets where Big Boston is important, prices 
of the two types of head lettuce tend to parallel each other, with the 
Iceberg type usually outselling Big Boston for equivalent quantities. 
Jobbing prices in the large markets fluctuate with considerable 
similarity, indicating that for the most part the factors having the 
strongest influence on price are general rather than local. 
Essential services and risks involved in getting lettuce from the 
farm to the consumer's table are responsible for a large part of the 
spread between prices paid by consumers and those received by 
producers. 
Business methods of shippers exert a great influence in deter- 
mining the success or failure of their relationship with buyers. The 
trade prefers to transact business with reliable shippers whose 
product is dependable and whose sales policies and business methods 
conform to accepted trade practice. The shipper who earns the 
confidence and good will of the buying trade is possessed of a 
valuable asset. 
Several important services in marketing are offered to buyers 
and sellers of lettuce by the United States Department of Agricul- 
ture. These consist of annual agricultural outlook reports, period- 
ical crop reports of acreage and condition, daily market news re- 
ports covering all important markets and producing sections in 
season, and Government inspection at points of origin and in receiv- 
ing markets. 
