LETTUCE 
Sow % to 1 pound in seed-bed to plant an acre, or plant 1 to 14% pounds per acre in field. 
For the garden sow 1% ounce in a protected seed-bed for 150 plants to set 150 feet of row for a family of 3 or 4 
people or plant 1 ounce of seed in 150 feet of row. 
Seed supply of all head varieties and Romaine very limited. 
CuLtureE. First sowings are made in Florida the beginning 
of September and continue until March. Low, damp soil is 
best suited for this crop. Lettuce must be grown rapidly in 
order to give it size, tenderness, crispness, and high edible 
quality. Therefore, the land must be highly fertilized and 
moist. In Florida about one ton per acre of 4-5-5 fertilizer is 
commonly used for this crop, except the Iceberg type, where 
800 to 1200 pounds per acre of a 3-8-8 fertilizer is recommend- 
ed. It is advisable to treat lettuce seed with Cuprocide or Sper- 
gon (see page 49) just before sowing, which has a tendency to 
repel ants and prevents them from carrying seed away. Broad- 
cast the seed on good moist seed-beds that have been thorough- 
ly prepared, or sow in rows six inches apart and use a light roller 
to press seed into soil. A pound of seed sown broadcast plants a 
bed three feet by a hundred yards. Place burlap or well-washed 
old fertilizer sacks over the beds until seeds sprout. Old fertilizer 
sacks must be thoroughly washed before using to prevent burn- 
ing of seed sprouts. Be sure seed beds are kept thoroughly 
moist at all times after the seed is planted. In hot weather 
germination may be hastened and improved by placing moist- 
ened lettuce seed in moist cloth in the icebox for several days 
before sowing. In level culture, lettuce plants are usually set 15 
by 15 inches in the field, or in rows 114 to 2 feet apart, and 12 
to 15 inches in the row, or in double rows 16 inches apart, 
with 31% to 4 feet from center to center of double rows, and 14 
inches in the rows. Plants should be watered as set in field. 
Rusting of head lettuce and Romaine is usually due to boron 
deficiency. To prevent or stop this trouble, it is recommended 
to spray with 1 lb. borax to 50 gallons of water. This should 
be applied at the rate of not more than a total of 4 pounds 
borax per acre in two applications. Too much borax is toxic. 
The number of days in parentheses after each variety named 
represents the time required to develop marketable heads from 
the planting of seed in seed-bed or in the field or garden under 
average Florida conditions. 
Prices quoted are postpaid. 
Write for special prices on larger quantities. 
KILGORE’S ICEBERG NO. 44 (Improved Florida 
Strain). (82 days.) This variety is exceedingly slow to go to 
seed, even if started in hot weather or early fall, or if grown in 
very late spring in Florida. It is one of the safest varieties of the 
Iceberg type from the standpoint of high temperature tolerance. 
It matures slightly earlier, makes slightly smaller, flatter and 
broader heads than No. 847. To get good sige requies somewhat 
heavier fertilization than No. 847. It produces exceedingly 
solid, hard heads, of high quality over a long season. It can be 
planted earlier—before September 25th, and later—after De- 
cember, than can be No. 847 in Central and South Florida. It 
is especially well suited for Florida muck-land culture. 
Seed supply extremely limited. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 35e; 4 Ib. 95c; 1 Ib. $3.40 
GREAT LAKES. (New) (83 days.) This new variety of the 
Iceberg type lettuce is being introduced by us to Florida grow- 
ers for the first time. As a result of commercial trial plantings 
last season in different sections of Florida, this new variety 
showed much promise, especially as a late spring hot weather 
variety. In our comparative trials it consistently cut a higher 
percentage of marketable heads than either No. 44 or No. 847. 
The plants of Great Lakes are large, vigorous and have a dis- 
tinctive, deep grassy-green, attractive appearance. Leaves are 
large, with rather deeply serrated margins, and very heavy mid- 
ribs. The heads are relatively large, compact, firm and solid, 
with abundant wrapper leaves which cover the heads, protecting 
them from cold and heat injury. Experience indicates that 
Great Lakes will stand higher temperatures, is less subject to 
tip burn and slime rot, and does not bolt as readily as either 
847 or 44. It offers a splendid possibility for prolonging the 
Florida lettuce growing season in late spring. This new variety 
won a medal in the All America selections of 1943, which is 
conclusive evidence of its superior characteristics. 
Seed supply extremely limited. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 55c; 4 lb. $1.65; 1 lb. $6.00 

Kilgore’s Ocoee White Boston 
KILGORE’S OCOEE WHITE BOSTON. (75 days.) This 
strain of White Boston was originated and developed in the 
Winter Garden section of Florida, and has been selected under 
Florida conditions for the development of a large framed let- 
tuce similar to Big Boston. It produces larger heads, and bigger 
yields than any other strain of White Boston. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 30c; 4 Ib. 85c; 1 Ib. $3.00 
BIG BOSTON. (75 days.) The heads are of cabbage or 
butter-head type, large-sized, broad, slightly spreading, globu- 
lar, with a broad shoulder at the base. The outer leaves are 
broad, almost smooth, but wavy at the edge, medium light 
green with a tinge of brown on outer leaf margins. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 25c; 4% Ib. 60; 1 Ib. $2.00 
KILGORE’S IMPROVED FLORIDA ICEBERG NO. 847. 
(84 days.) This variety of the Iceberg type makes heads that 
have a very large frame, with a solid, compact, well bleached 
base, round in shape and medium green in color, very large 
and heavy. This variety is somewhat more sensitive to heat 
than Iceberg No. 44, and is especially recommended for a crop 
to be harvested in midwinter in Florida, at which season it 
produces heads of the highest quality. It should not be planted 
prior to Oct. 15th or after Dec., in central and south Florida. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 30c; %4 Ib. 85ec; 1 Ib. $3.00 
MIGNONETTE. (67 days.) An early maturing, exceedingly 
high quality, small, crisp head lettuce, not grown for com- 
mercial shipment, but useful for the Florida home gardener 
and for local markets because of its exceedingly high edible 
quality, it being deliciously sweet flavored, crisp and tender. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 30c; % Ib. 75e; 1 Ib. $2.50 
BLACK-SEEDED SIMPSON. (46 days.) The best large, 
very early, non-heading or leaf variety. The leaves are very 
broad, much blistered and crumpled, and excessively frilled 
on the borders, light yellowish green in color, very tender, of 
fine delicate texture, and of excellent quality. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 25c; %4 Ib. 60; 1 Ib. $2.00 
ROMAINE (WHITE PARIS COS OR TRIANON COS). 
(66 days.) This variety forms a large, medium green, well- 
folded head with blunt top, and when properly grown it is 
very sweet, crisp, mild, and of fine quality. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 25c; % Ib. 60c; 1 Ib. $2.00 
KILGORE’S MAMMOTH ROMAINE. (73 days.) Our 
Mammoth Romaine is taller and much more vigorous and makes 
much larger heads with correspondingly heavier yields com- 
pared to other strains of Romaine or Cos lettuce. 
Sold out until Fall 1944 
2 SL Ee a 
General Offices and Mail Order Department, Plant City, Florida 21 
