The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-02-20
HEAD LETTUCE
I. CROP IS AMONG
IDAHO LEADERS
Farmers Rapidly In
crease Acreage an d
Shipments New Crop,
Final Survey Shows.
By c. z. Schultz.

lance of Idaho as lettuce producing
state is shown quite clearly by the
shiomen,s this year OF 392 cars, com
pared with 1872 cars in 1921. and only
% cars in 1920 The lettuce acreage
in Idaho this year was placed at 1906
acres by the Crop Estimate Division
OF the Bureau of Agricultural Econ.
omios. In 1921 only 400 acres were
estimated to have been planted to this
crop in Idaho.
Exceptionally hot weather affected
the quality as well as quantity of the
Idaho lettuce crop this year. many
field in all sections of the state no,
being harvested on account Of the
crop going to seed instead Of heading
The industry has not as yet entirely
emerged from the experimental stage.
Some believed that if planting had
been delayed during the past season,
much more of the stock would have
headed. The elevation at which let
tuce is planted varies. from around
1000 to as high as 5000 feet above
sea level This variation in elevation
naturally produces. considerable dif-
ference in climatic conditions. 1t is
the climatic differences which regulate
the time at which lettuce may be
planted with 4 reasonable degree of
success. In the western part of the
state. where the elevation ranges from
1000 to 5000 feet above sea level. it
is thought from present experience.
that planting should be done about
the first to the tenth of August. This
normally would make the shipping
period from approximately the first of
October to the time frosts eliminate
the possibility Of further shipments
During the past season the later plant
ings in this district. which were al
ready for market during late October.
showed considerable better quality
than the early October shipments.
The bes, time to plant in other parts
OF the state would be regulated large
ly by average weather conditions.
Cool growing weather is essential to
good commercial lettuce production.
Varieties
Some operators discontinued ship
ping this season, at the end of the
FIRST week in November. A number
OF heavy irosts had been experienced
before this time. Others. however.
continued shipments for short time
aiterward. Some OF the later ship
ments did not carry we'll and there
seems to be no doubt that the heavy
irosts had very material effect on
the carrying quality of the stock.
A large part OF the seed used in
Idaho this year was obtained from
california. The bulk of the crop con-
sisted Of the New York Market va
ne'y OF head lettuce. very little Ice
berg seed being planted for the fall
crop. The New York Market variety
IS said to make hrmer head than Ice
berg but the Iceberg will stand hot
weather better and possibly would ma
iure and make good variety to plant
Tor September shipment. However,
ior the general shipping season. late
September and October. those best in
formed. believe the New York Market
variety to be preferable.
Cultural Notes
The stand from the seed planted this
year was. in most instances, where the
proper attention had been given. ap-
'roximately IS to 20 per cent.
Most of the lettuce grown in Idaho
inr'ng the past season was in small
patches. ranging from half an acre up
10 hve acres, generally around ono to
Two acres. The small patches arc
PRACTICAL when the grower expects to
10 most OF. the work himself. or with |
ne aid of his family. With a large |
'.feage II is essential that the grower
"re help at certain. periods of the
rowing season and most Of them do |
'o' wish to incur this expense. Gen.
rally speaking. the small acreages |
we're given very good attention.
II IS difficult to estimate the average
''e'd but with favorable conditions
IS believed a grower should reason
oily exn~et % I oso