COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA 
31 
Lettuce 
CULTURE—Three lbs. of seed will plant an acre, and 
ounce of seed will produce 3,000 plants. 
To insure success in lettuce growing, rich soil, moderate 
moisture at all times, plenty of sunshine and proper spacing 
is imperative. Start the seed and transplant outdoors early 
so as to escape the hot and dry summer weather. Or start the 
seed late in July for a fall crop and in case of an early frost 
protect the crop by covering with hay or muslin. Space the 
smaller sized varieties like May King 8 inches apart in the 
row, the heavier like Boston or New York 10 inches apart. If 
you grow lettuce without transplanting thin out to proper 
distance as soon as the plants appear. 
Sow the seed in hot beds about January 20th and when 
the plants are about an inch high transplant to cold frames 
3x3 inches. As soon as the soil is thawed out about 3 inches 
deep in the field set out the plants. Lettuce cannot be suc¬ 
cessfully grown during summer and it is of utmost im¬ 
portance to sow early. The home gardener should sow in 
the open as soon as ground is thawed out sufficiently to allow 
the operation real early in March. As soon as the plants 
appear thin out to six inches apart. When the heads begin 
to crowd each other cut out every other plant. Provided 
that your soil is very rich or that you use nitrate of soda you 
will get fine heads following this method of growing. Do 
not hesitate to sow real early as all varieties of lettuce are 
quite hardy with the exception of New York and the crop 
can go through several frosts without injury. 
Lettuce White Boston 
LETTUCE WHITE BOSTON 
SURE HEARING—BIG AND SOLID 
OUTSTANDING SUPERIOR QUALITY SORT 
A great improvement over the Big Boston in that it is 
lighter green in color, free from red tinge, therefore more 
attractive, very free from bottom rot, tip burn and that it 
grows higher off the ground than Big Boston. Does not 
scald in hot weather or turn red from cold, and produces 
very close to 100% of solid, large, compact, crisp and tender 
heads, very white inside. Originated in New Jersey and be¬ 
coming the favorite with the growers upon first trial. Unbeat¬ 
able for forcing as well as for spring and fall planting in the 
open ground. Pkt. 10c; oz. 20c; % lb. 40c; lb. $1.60. 
CHICKEN LETTUCE —Grows 4 feet tall, produces no heads, the 
leaves are gathered as needed and provide fine feed for chickens and 
rabbits. When the plant is spent cut it off and the stump will soon 
produce an abundance of new leaves. Pkt. 10c; oz. 20c; lb. $1.25. 
OAK LEAF LETTUCE —Long standing cabbage butter type of 
lettuce, heads imperfect of medium size, leaves light green, lobed 
like an oak leaf of exceptional tenderness Pkt. 10c; oz. 35c. 
We sell half and quarter pounds at pound rate, 5 pounds or over 
at 10 pound rate, 25 pounds or over at 100 pound rate. 
Grand Rapids Special 
GRAND RAPIDS SPECIAL 
GRAND RAPIDS SPECIAL forms compact, heavy heads 
with thick stalks and it is the most handsome lettuce you 
ever saw. The heads are not only of the most beautiful 
appearance, but they also possess high quality. The leaves 
are crisp, sweet and tender and of much substance, and are 
in no way inferior to head lettuce. 
GRAND RAPIDS SPECIAL is the best stock we have been 
able to secure and we tried all the important and reliable 
seed houses of the entire country. So said the owners of an 
immense greenhouse establishment located in our state. This 
concern uses about 80 lbs. of Grand Rapids Lettuce annually. 
They use our Special Grand Rapids exclusively. Pkt. 10c; oz. 
15c; % lb. 30c; lb. $1.20. 
About Varieties , 
There are four main types of Lettuce. The crisp, cab¬ 
bage-heading, of which New York is the best type. Then 
comes the Butter variety. To this class belong varieties that 
form firm, large heads, not quite as hard as those of New 
York, possessing quality in the highest degree. Buttery, 
leaves soft, of much substance. Hot Weather and California 
Cream Butter are in this class. This quality lettuce should 
be most largely grown. It is not, most markets demand the 
big hard heads of New York. Butter head lettuces are de¬ 
manded by particular buyers. These being in the minority, 
the gardener must grow the rather coarse New York and if 
he is enterprising, he will also grow Romaine lettuce. Ro- 
maine or Cos lettuce makes large heads, oblong in shape, 
will head under adverse conditions and is a lettuce very 
high in quality, sweet and crisp. By many, Cos lettuce is 
regarded as the best of all. The fourth type of lettuce is 
Leaf lettuce of which the best example is Grand Rapids. 
Leaf lettuce does not possess the high quality of the above 
named types but it is easily raised, will stand much neglect 
and lots of adverse weather. When well grown, the heads 
are all that can be desired in appearance and almost in qual¬ 
ity. Note that we say “when well grown.” 
Well grown Grand Rapids is all we say it is, if it is 
grown under glass and not allowed to suffer for moisture 
and air and if the plants are allowed enough space to de¬ 
velop. Under such conditions, you will get from our seed 
big and heavy heads, easy to sell. 
Much more could be said about lettuces, but most gar¬ 
deners know as much about lettuce as we do. Those that 
do not, soon will learn from their brothers so we will stop 
right here and say no more, except to remark that all lettuce 
seed we send out is grown for us in a favored climate, is 
grown by a specialist and is the best there is. 
