CRISP LETTUCES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1939, Page 3

CRISP LETTUCES

MAINTAIN CONSTANT SUPPLY. Fresh, crips lettuces are much appreciated and efforts should be made to maintain a constant supply during the summer months. This is one of the easiest crops to grow, and lettuce will flourish in any good garden soil. Many home growers make the mistake of sowing only one large crop, whereas to keep up a supply, small sowings should be made once a fortnight during the summer. To produce crisp, tender leaves, the plants must be grown rapidly without check. They should be presided with a rich soil and plenty of moisture. Dig the soil deeply, and add liberal quantities of well decayed manure or a good substitute. Draw shallow drills and scatter the seeds thinly. Cover lightly and then when the seedling show one rough leaf, thin out the plants to three inches apart. After a fortnight, thin to six inches apart, using the thinnings for salads. When about fourteen days have elapsed, take out each alternate plant, leaving the remainder at 12 \ inches apart; this distance will allow them full room for development. The smaller growing varieties need only be thinned to nine inches apart.