LETTUCE 
Sow 12 to 1 pound in seed-bed to plant an acre, or plant 1 to 14 pounds per acre in field. 
For the garden make two plantings at different times. Sow 1 packet in a protected seed-bed for 60 to 80 plants to set 50 to 75 
feet of row at each planting for a family of 3 or 4 people, or plant 1 packet of seed in 50 to 75 feet of row at each planting. 
Culture. 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 4-7-5 fertilizer is commonly 
used for the Boston, Romaine and leaf types, where 800 to 
1200 pounds per acre of a 3-8-8 fertilizer is recommended for 
the Iceberg type. Broadcast the seed on good moist seed-beds 
that have been thoroughly 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 burning 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 moistened lettuce seed in moist cloth 
in the ice box for several days before sowing. In level culture, 
lettuce plants are usually set 15 by 15 inches in the field, or in 
rows ll to 2 feet apart, and 10 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. For insect control see page 54. 
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 repre- 
sents 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. 
IMPERIAL NO. 44, (82 days.) This variety is slow to go to 
seed, even if started in hot weather or early fall, or if grown in 
very late spring in Florida. It matures slightly earlier, makes 
slightly smaller, flatter and broader heads than Great Lakes. 
To get good size requires somewhat heavier fertilization than 
Great Lakes. It is well suited for Florida muck-land culture. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 35c; 14 Ib. 90c; 1 Ib. $3.20 
5 to 25 Ibs. $3.10 per Ib. 
KILGORE’S MAMMOTH ROMAINE. (73 days.) Our Mam- 
moth 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. It can be left 
in the fields for 10 days to two weeks after it is ready to harvest 
without danger of bolting to seed. It forms firm, solid heads 
with the leaves well capped over the top. We have selected and 
reselected this strain until it is very uniform in all respects. See 
second paragraph under “Culture” for control of rusting, to 
which this strain is somewhat susceptible. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 20c; 14 Ib. 60c; 1 Ib. $2.00 
5 to 25 Ibs. $1.90 per Ib. 
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; 0z. 20c; % Ib. 60c; 1 Ib. $2.00 
5 to 25 Ibs. $1.90 per Ib. 
SIMPSON, BLACK-SEEDED. (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; 0z. 20c; 1% Ib. 60c; 1 Ib. $2.00 
5 to 25 Ibs. $1.90 per Ib. 
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 con- 
ditions for the development of a large framed lettuce similar 
to Big Boston. It produces larger heads, and bigger yields than 
any other strain of White Boston. 
Pkt. 10c; 02z. 20c; 14 Ib. 60c; 1 Ib. $2.00 
5 to 25 Ibs. $1.90 per Ib. 
BIG BOSTON. (75 days.) The heads are of cabbage or butter- 
head type, large-sized, broad, slightly spreading, globular, with 
a broad shoulder at the base. The outer leaves are broad, al- 
most smooth, but wavy at the edge, medium light green with 
a tinge of brown on outer leaf margins. 
Pkt. 10c; 0z. 20c; 14 Ib. 60c; 1 Ib. $2.00 
5 to 25 Ibs. $1.90 per Ib. 
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, being deliciously sweet flavored, crisp and tender. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 35c; % Ib. $1.00; 1 Ib. $3.50 
5 to 25 Ibs. $3.40 per Ib. 
GREAT LAKES. (83 days.) This variety of the Iceberg type 
lettuce was introduced by us to Florida growers. The plants of 
Great Lakes are large, vigorous and have a distinctive, deep 
grassy-green, attractive appearance. Leaves are large, with 
rather deeply serrated margins, and very heavy midribs. The 
heads are relatively large, compact, firm and solid, with abun- 
dant wrapper leaves which cover the heads, protecting them 
from cold and heat injury. Experience indicates that Great 
Lakes will stand higher temperatures, is much less subject to 
bottom rot, tip burn and slime rot, and does not bolt as readily 
as No. 44. It can be planted earlier—before September 25th, 
and later—after December, than can be No. 44 in Central and 
South Florida. It offers a real possibility for prolonging the 
Florida lettuce growing season in late spring, and in early fall. 
Our trials indicate this variety does as well or better than other 
varieties of this type throughout the entire lettuce planting 
season in Florida. This variety won a medal in the All-America 
selections of 1943. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 40c; 14 Ib. $1.15; 1 Ib. $4.00 
5 to 25 Ibs. $3.90 per Ib. 
A typical head of Great Lakes Lettuce 
General Offices and Mail Order Department, Plant City, Florida 9! 
TRIBUTOR. 
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