SB -Y4 Class <^ ZJ^^x"^^' / Book_ V ^ Gopyiight W COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. THE WILEY TECHNICAL SERIES FOR VOCATIONAL AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS EDITED BY JOSEPH M. JAMESON QIRABD COLLEGE THE WILEY TECHNICAL SERIES EDITED BY JOSEPH I\L JAMESON TEXT BOOKS IN AGRICI LTIRE NOW READY Market Gardening. liy F. L. Yeaw, Manager, Oasis Farm and Orchard Company. Roswell, N. M. Formerly Professor of Market Gardening, Mas- sachusetts Agricnltural College, vi+120 pages, 5 by 7. 36 figures. Cloth, 75 cents net. Studies of Tree.s: Their Diseases and Care. Hy J. J. Levison, Dei)artment of Parks, Urooklvn. N. Y. .5'4 by 8. x +2.53 pages. 1.56 half-tone illustrations. Cloth, $1.60 net. (Al.-^o 8 by lO,'-... loose leaf.) .Agricultural Drafting. By Ch.\rles B. Howe, Bush- wick Evening High School, Borough of Brooklyn. New York, N. Y. viii -1-63 pages, 8 by 10^. 4.5 figures, 26 plates. Cloth, $1.25 net. E.veroi.ses ill Farm Dairying. By Professor C. Larsen, Department of Dairy Husbandry, South Dakota State College. Loose leaf, 8 by lu'j. 09 Exercises. Single Exercises two cents each. (Com- plete, $1.00 net. READY IN SEPTEMBER. 1915 Farm Crops and Soils. By Professor A. G. .McCai.l, Ohio State University. Agricultural Chemistry. By Professor T. E. Keitt. C'lemson Agricultural College. Injurious Insects. By Dean E. D. Sanderson and Professor L. M. Peairs, West Virginia University. I'or full announcement see list following index. IM- 0/10/15 MARKET GARDENING BY F. L. YEAW Manager, Oasis Farm and Orchard Company, Ruswell. New Mexico Formerly Professor of Market Gardening, Massachusetts Agricultural College FIRST EDITION FIRST THOUSAND NEW YORK JOHN WILEY & SONS, Inc. London: CHAPMAN & HALL: Limited 1915 4>AK- (-■npyright, :yi5 F, L. VEAW THE SCIENTIFIC PRESS ROBERT DRUMMOND AND COMPANY BROOKLYN. NY JUN 25 1915 ©CI.A4U1517 PREFACE The income from the sale of vegetables is practically twice that produced from the great fruit industries of the country. Only recently, however, is Market Gardening receiving the attention that it merits as a subject in which valuable instruction may be given in our schools. The purpose of this little manual is to furnish, in a con- densed and usable form, information concerning methods and best practices for growing and marketing the com- moner vegetables. It is designed primarily for use as an elementary text on market gardening. Methods for the propagation, preparation of the soil for, planting, cultivation, harvesting and marketing of twenty-tliree of the more connnon and hardy vegetables are considered in detail. In addition, such information is given concerning soils, fertilizers, moisture requirements, seeds, germination, the preparation and care of hot beds and the storing and packing of vegetables as is necessary to a reasonably complete understanding of the whole problem. A special chapter is devoted to the location, planning and care of home and school gardens. Growers of vegetables in a small way for the home table, as well as those engaged in market gardening on a commercial scale, it is believed, will find this a practical, reliable and handy guide. F. L. Yeaw. ROSWELL, N. M. April, 1915. iii CONTENTS CHAPTER I Location for the Market Garden. Cultivation PAGE Market — Soil — Exposure — Labor — -Water — Tools — Cultivation. . . 1 CHAPTER II Fertilizers Stable Manures — Composting — Chemical Fertilizers— Nitrogen — Nitrate of Soda — Potash — Phosphoric Acid — Complete Fer- tilizers — Soil Acidity — Lime — Green Manures — Legumes — Ploughing Under — Catch Crops 9 CHAPTER III Hot Beds Uses — Location — Means of Heating — Construction — Preparation of the Manure — Care 19 CHAPTER IV Seeds and Seed Sowing. Transplanting Quality of the Seed — Germination — Seed Beds — Planting — Transplanting 24 CHAPTER V Irrigation Moisture Requirements of Plants — Methods of Irrigation 32 V VI CONTEXTS CHAPTER VI Vegetable Gardens PAGE The Home Garden — School Gardens 36 CHAPTER VII Storing and Packing Storage Cellars and Pits — Storing Root Crops — Celery — Onions and Cabbage — Packing 43 CHAPTER VIII Crops Propagation, preparation of soil for, planting, cultivation, harvest- ing and marketing of the following: 1. Asparagus. 2. Beans. — 3. Beets. — 4. Cabbage. — 5. Bru.ssels sprouts. — 6. Cauliflower. — 7. Celery. — S. Cucumbers. — 9. Dandelion. — 10. Egg Plant.— 11. Hor.>e-radish.— 12. Lettuce.— 13. Muskmelon.— 14. On- ions. — 15. Parsnips. — 16. Salsify. — 17. Pea. — 18. Radi.sh.— 19. Rhubarb. — 20. Spinach.— -21. Scjuash. — 22. Sweet corn. — 23. Tomatoes 53 xMAKKET GAKDEXIXG CHAPTER I LOCATION FOR THE MARKET GARDEX. CULTR'ATIOX The location of tlie market garden is determined by a number of factors, the most important of which are market, soil, transportation facilities, labor supply, manure supply and water. 1. Market. The market, and nearness to market, are of first importance in choosing the location for the market garden. The grower must have a sure and dependal^le market for iiis products; the larger cities generally' afford the steadiest and most dependable markets. j\Iost of the products of the market garden are of a perishable nature; if the garden is not located close to a market, within hauling distance, the express or fast freight service must be efficient and dependable. The condition of the roads is of vital importance to the grower who intends to haul his produce to market with a team or auto truck. 2. Soil. The soil is of secondary importance to the market. A market must be had in which to dispose of the produce; but a good gardener can build up and improve the average soil so that it will protluce good crops of most vegetables, while it might be impossible to create or build up a market. 2 MARKET GARDENING The ideal market garden soil is a good sandy loam, under laid by a gravelly subsoil. 8uch a soil warms up quickly in the spring, never Ixakes or puddles, can be worked soon after a rain, can be worked early in the spring, is well drained and is adapted to a wide range of crops. 3. Exposure. The land should slope to the south or southeast. .Such an aspect assures the earliest warming up in the spring, is protected from cold north winds and receives the greatest amount of sunshine. Fig. 1. — Disc Harrow. Windbreaks are desirable and may be temporary or per- manent. Temporary wind breaks may be built by stick- ing brush into the ground or constructing a tight board fence along the exposed side. A more permanent wind- break is to be had by planting trees close together along the exposed side; this will, in time, form a compact hedge which is very efficient in breaking the wind. LOCATION FOR THE MARKET GARDEN 3 4. Labor. The market gardener is dependent upon a quickly available and cheap supply of labor. The large Fig. 2. — The Meeker Smoothing Harrow. cities are the sources of such a supply of labor. Intensive gardening must be done very largely by hand and a large Fig. .3.— Double Wheel Hoe. number of hands must be available, for a few months' time during the year, for the successful carrying on of the inten- sive market garden. The larger cities also furnish a large MARKET GARDENING O fe LOCATION FOR THE MARKET GARDEN 5 supply of horse manure which is most important in market gardening. 5. Water. A market garden is not completely equipped unless it has an abundant supply of water for irrigating the crops and for the preparation of the vegetables for market. The gardener should not depend upon the rain- fall for the success of his garden. It is essential that water be available for irrigation whenever the conditions demand it. Practically every kind of vegetable is washed when being prepared for market and a good supply of pure water is necessary for this work. 6. Preparation of the Soil. After the manure has been applied, the ground should be well ploughed. Four to six- inches is sufficient depth for ploughing in most cases; too deep ploughing is not advisable because new soil is brought to the surface which will take a number of seasons to come to a proper condition for the growing of vegetables. Fol- lowing the ploughing, the soil should be thoroughly disced. A double cut-a-way disc harrow is the best tool to break up lumps and with which to get the soil into its best con- dition for the planting of garden crops. The discing should be followed by an application of a high grade chemical fer- tilizer which should be mixed with the top soil by the use of a peg tooth smoothing harrow or by the use of a Meeker disc smoothing harrow. When the soil is of an usually poor quality or is somewhat heavy and lumpy, it is advisable to follow the first discing with the plough. It may be necessary to plough the ground three times to get it into proper condition for such a crop as lettuce. The first and last ploughings may ho shallower than the second ploughing when three ploughings are made. 7. Cultivation. The vegetable garden nmst have fre- quent and thorough, but shallow, cultivation. Most vege- MAEKET GARDENING O LOCATION FOR THE MARKET GARDEN 7 tables do not root deeply but send their roots out quite near the surface. The cultivation, if carried on too deep close to the plants, is liable to injure the roots. The object of freciuent cultivation is to keep down the weeds and to maintain a dust mulch for the conservation of the water held in the soil. Cultivation lets the air and sunlio;ht into the soil thereby favoring- the development of certain ben- eficial bacteria and helping to make available the plant food applied to the soil. Fig. 6. — Combined Hill and Drill Seeder and Wheel Hoe. For the use of the seed drill the soil must be in a smooth, mellow condition, free from lumps or coarse material that would interfere with the planting or with keeping the rows straight. The Meeker smoothing harrow, Fig. 2, is the best tool on the market for finishing the ground pre- vious to drilling in the seed. This harrow consists of four rows of small discs, placed close together, two rows of discs in front and two rows behind with a smoothing plank in the middle. This harrow will leave the surface in as fine condition as though the ground had been hand raked. 8 MARKET GARDENING When the rows are close together and hand work must be employed, the choice of tools will largely determine the cost of the cultivation. The two-wheel and single-wheel hoes are commonly used in cultivating the smaller vege- tal)le crops. The two-wheel hoe is designed and intended to run straddle of the row with a wheel each side and close to the plants. The various teeth and cutters furnished with the doul)le or single-wheel hoes are adjustable so that the cultivation may be very close or farther from the plants. The single-wheel hoe is designed for use between the rows. There are a number of coml)ination seed drills and wheel hoes on tlie market which are very desirable for the small grower, the cost of the combined tool lieing but little more than the cost of the seed drill alone. The liest makes of the combina- tion tools allow for the elimination of the seed di'ill or wheel hoe attachments as may be desired. Others make it neces- sary to use both the seed drill and the wheel hoe attachments at the same time; the drill sini])ly being tlu'own out of gear and the teeth attached. CHAPTER II FERTILIZERS 8. Kinds. There are three general .sources of fertiUzer, or plant food; stable manures^ chemical fertilisers and green manures. The term " green manure " is used to designate such crops as cow peas, crimson clover, rye and other green crops grown for ploughing under. Such crops add humus to the soil and, when a leguminous crop is ploughed under, a considerable amount of nitrogen is also added to the soil. Green crops are usually ploughed under in the spring although it is often desirable to plougli the croD under in the fall. 9. Stable Manures. Stable manures are more gen- erally used than any other source of plant food for grow- ing vegetables. In many instances, they are the cheapest source of plant food obtainable, as when the grower is located near a large city and the stable manure may l)e had at small cost or for hauling it away. In other instances, manure brings a good price and is often shipped long distances for the market gardener. Rotted stable manure is the best fertilizer for the garden, for not only is a supply of quickly available plant food added, but stable manure also furnishes a store of humus in its most desiral)le condition for readily incorporating with the soil. Stable manure runs compara- tively low in its plant food value. It is estimated that a ton of partly rotted stable manure is worth about $2.00 for the plant food contained in it; it is of course worth more than this to the gardener Ijecause of its supply of Immus. 9 10 MARKET GARDENING Humus, or rotted vegetable matter, is indispensable for the successful growing of vegetables or any other crop. Humus makes the soil more friable, helps it to hold moisture, lightens a heavy soil and makes more retentive a light soil. A soil deficient in humus is hard to work, bakes quickly after a rain, is slow to warm up in the spring and is very unfavorable for the use of chemical fertilizer. H humus is not present in a soil, the chemical fertilizer applied will largely be lost. The addition of hunms renders the soil fit for the use of chemical fertilizers, and furnishes a condition favorable for certain chemical changes which constantly go on in the soil, and for certain friendly bacteria. Other manures used in vegetable growing are sheep manure, hen manure, cow manure and hog manure. Hen and sheep manures are rich in nitrogen and their store of plant food is quickly availaV)le; they are valuable for use as a top dressing or for crops requiring unusual amounts of nitrogen. They arc " hot " manures and must be used with care else the crops may be damaged by burning. Cow and hog manure are cold manures, their content of plant food is slow to become available except when they are well rotted. 10. Composting. It is not generally desirable to apply fresh horse manure to land intended for growing vegetables. Fresh manure tends to the production of top at the expense of the root in many crops. The general practice in using stable manure is to compost it for a considerable time before applying it to the soil. Rotted or partly rotted stable manure has it? store of plant food in a quickly available condition, which is very desirable in growing vegetables. The plant food contained in fresh manure is not so quickly available except the nitrogen in the form of ammonia. FERTILIZERS 11 Stable manure is composted by making the manure into a pile as soon as it is hauled to the market garden. Manure is generally hauled as fast as it is produced and is then built up into piles conveniently located for final distribution The pile should be about five feet high and as long and wide as necessary. As the pile is constructed, the manure should be firmed by tramping, and if very drj^, the manure should be wetted sufficiently to prevent burning in the pile. When fresh horse manure is placed in a pile, fermentation takes place with a considerable amount of heat. The heat will cause the manure to fire fang, or burn. The pile should be examined frequently, and if it is showing a whitish or grayish color, the pile should be turned and watered lightly. It should be remembered that every time the pile is turned there is a consequent loss of nitrogen in the form of ammonia; therefore handle the pile carefully and do not disturb it more often than is absolutely necessary. About six mo'iiths time is ordinarily required for the proper composting of the manure. Rotted stable manure is usually applied in the spring just previous to ploughing. After ploughing the ground should be thoroughly worked with a disc harrow. Fresh or partly rotted manure is best ploughed under in the fall; the procedure in the spring then is to thoroughly disc the ground before planting. The rate of application of manure depends upon the condition of the ground and the crops to be grown. In intensive gardening, where the ground is not allowed to be idle during the growing season, from twenty to fifty cords of rotted manure per acre should be ploughed under each season. The average application is twenty to twenty- five cords. 11. Commercial Fertilizers. Commercial fertilizers are 12 MARKET GARDENING necessary for the maximum production from the area planted. Stable manures alone may furnish sufficient plant food for some classes of vegetables, but being unbalanced in their content of plant food, their use cannot be depended upon entirely for the successful growing of all vegetables. Manures have a relatively high content of nitrogen, and are usually deficient in the mineral elements of phosphorous and potash. To balance the ration of plant food, chemical fertilizers are used. The plant food contained in niaiuu'es becomes available rather slowly, except for tlie nitrogen which is in the organic form, ammonia. This becomes available very quickly, particularly if the manure^ is rotted. Chemical fertilizers may be obtained in forms which are quickly available. This is important in intensive gardening where quick results are very desirable. Slow plant growth results in vegetaljles of inferior quality and oftentimes the yield is small in quantity. Slow growth tends to produce vegetables tough in texture and of poor flavor. Rapid growth produces tender, succulent vegetables of fine flavor. Then again, the more quickly a crop may be matured, the sooner it will become ready for harvesting and thus out of the way for succeeding crops. The use of chemical fertilizers enables the grower to raise a maximum crop of fine flavor and quality, and to produce the crop in the shortest time possible. Chemical fertilizers should seldom be used alone; they give the best results only when used as an adjunct to stable manures. To get the largest results from an application of chemical fertilizers, the ground must be liberally supplied with humus, and must be in a high state of cultivation. 12. Nitrogen. The element necessary in the production of tender succulent stems and leaves is nitrogen, and it is FERTILIZERS 13 therefore very valuable in the growing of such crops as celery, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, asparagus, or any crop grown for its top, or for early maturity. Nitrogen stimu- lates the plants and tends to produce a good growth in the early spring before the ground becomes thoroughly warmed. 13. Nitrate of Soda. The most available and therefore valuable form in which nitrogen may be supplied is known as nitrate of soda. The nitrogen l:)ecomes availal)le as soon as the compound is dissolved, while if supplied in manures, dried blood, bone or tankage, these materials must decom- pose before their supply of nitrogen becomes availal)le. Nitrate of soda may be supplied alone or in combina- tion with other elements. The rate of application varies with the richness of the soil and with the kind of crops grown. The method of application varies with the condi- tions; whether it is used as part of a complete fertilizer, or is used alone as a top dressing. Under most conditions the best results are obtained from sowing the nitrate liroad- cast, even when the plants are young and tender. If the foliage is dry at the time of broadcasting the nitrate of soda, none of it will adhere to the leaves but all will glance off to the ground. Nitrate of soda may also be sown along the row quite close to the plants and then cultivated in, or it may be applied by any one of the numerous fertilizer distributors that are adapted for use in narrow I'ows. Nitrate of soda is used as a pai't of complete fertilizers for vegetables. Such fertilizers should be broadcasted over the land, or applied with a fertilizer drill just preceding the final harrowing before seed sowing, or placed in the hill, or drill, at the time of planting. The amount of nitrate of soda to be used at one time will vary with the richness of 14 MARKET GARDENING the soil and with the character of the crop to be fertilized. The amount varies from a few pounds to as much as 250 pounds per acre. It is the better practice to make smaller and frequent applications rather than to make larger and fewer applications. 14. Other Sources of Nitrogen. Nitrogen may also be obtained from the use of dried blood, tankage, manures, raw or steamed bone and ground fish. Dried blood decom- poses quite rapidly and its supply of nitrogen becomes available quickly. Tankage decomposes somewhat more slowly than does dried blood. Manures, raw bone and steamed bone decompose slowly. Ci round fish becomes available slowly. The supply of nitrogen in a complete fertilizer should have at least two sources, nitrate of soda, and another source such as dried blood or tankage. 16. Potash. Potash is particularly necessary in grow- ing root croops, as carrots, turnips, beets, radishes, and parsnips. It is also important in growing other vegetable crops. Sandy or muck soils are usually very deficient in their supply of this element. Potash is obtainable in several forms, muriate of potash being tiie most available form. Sulphate of potash is also a desii'alilc form. 17. Phosphoric Acid. As most soils are deficient in pli()si)h()ri',' oi'id, the gardener nuist supply this element of plant food in some form. Phosphoric acid is very impor- tant in the growth of nearly all vegetable crops, the cereals l)eing jiai'ticularly benefited l)y it. A deficiency of phos- phoric acid is indicated by small yiekls and the slow maturity of the crops. Phosphoric acid is derived from several sources, the most important being Rock Phosphate, Thomas Slag, raw and FERTILIZERS 15 steamed bone and tankage. The rock phosphates are the principal source of phosphoric acid for use in gardening. 18. Complete Fertilizers. Fertilizers containing all three of the principal elements of plant food, nitrogen, phosphoric acid and potash, are called complete fertilizers. The per- centages of nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash, vary with the crops for which they are intended, nitrogen being higher, for example, in a fertilizer for asparagus or onions, while a fertilizer for the root crops would be lower in nitrogen and higher in potash. A fertilizer containing 4% nitrogen, 8% phosphoric acid, and 10% potash, is considered the basic fertilizer, but as has been indicated, the percentages vary with the need of the crops to be fertilized. The rate of application of complete fertilizers is governed by crop requirements and soil conditions. The amount varies from a few hundred pounds to a ton or more per acre for a single crop. The average application per season in intensive gardening is 1500 to 2000 pounds per acre, although the amount applied during the season may be as high as 4000 pounds or more. 19. Effects of Chemical Fertilizers on the Soil. Exces- sive applications of chemical fertilizers tend to cause soil acidity. In instances where the supply of humus is not kept up, the soil will become hard and unproductive, as well as acid. To remedy these conditions, the supply of humus must be maintained and liberal applications of lime made as required. The amount of lime to apply varies with soil conditions; a ton to the acre is usually sufficient for most soils, although as much as three tons per acre are sometimes required to neutralize an acid soil. 20. Effects of Lime. Soil acidity is neutralized by 16 MARKET GARDENING applications of lime, the physical and chemical condition of the soil are improved, causing plant food to be liberated and to become available. Lime, by neutralizing the soil acidity, renders the land unfavorable for the development of the clubfoot of cabbage and other crops belonging to the same family. IVIost garden crops do best in a soil slightly alkaline and applications of lime bring about this condition. The best results are obtained when the lime is applied in the spring. 21. Methods of Application. Fertilizers and lime may be sown liroadcast over the land or applied with a fertilizer drill. The drill is far preferable to hand sowing, both for uniformity of application and for convenience. Lime should never be applied with manure, because it liberates the ammonia which will then be lost. The manure should be ploughed under and the ground then harrowed, after which apply the fertilizer or lime, just previous to the time of planting, and liarrow it in. 22. Green Manures, (ireen manures and stable man- ures are the best sources of humus. \\'hile the growing of crops for green manuring, or for cover crops is not generally practiced b}^ the market gardeners, inunus must often be obtained by plougliing under green crops. Cover crops, and crops grown for green manures, are divided into two clas.ses, Icgioninous and non-lcguniinous. Crimson clover, red clover, cow peas, and vetch are examples of leguminous crops. Rye is a conmionly grown non- leguminous crop. 23. The Legumes. The legumes have the ability to take nitrogen from the air and to store it up in nodules which grow on their roots. When a leguminous crop is ploughed under, not only is humus added to the soil, but some fertilizer in the form of nitrogen is also added. FERTILIZERS 17 The clovers are usually sown in the spring or early summer following an early crop of vegetables. The pro- cedure varies as to when the crop is to be turned under. The crop may be allowed to grow during the season of sowing, and all of it ploughed under the following spring, or a cutting may be had and then the second growth ploughed under. This may be done either in the fall or spring, depending upon whether an early planting is desired. For early results, the crop should be ploughed under in the fall. Cow peas and Canadian field peas are desirable legu- minous crops used for green manuring. Neither of these crops is hardy and they must therefore be ploughed under in the fall. The Canadian field pea is one of the best of the crops grown to add humus to the soil. 24. Non-Legumes. Rye is considered more of a catch crop than most of the cover crops grown. It may be sown quite late in the fall, and will make a good growth even in a rather poor soil. Very often poor soils are built up by first growing rye on them, which is turned under and followed by some leguminous crop. 25. Ploughing Under. The older or more mature a green crop becomes l)eforc ploughing under, the longer it will take for the crop to decompose and for its plant food and humus to become available. The more mature the crop when ploughed under, the more danger there is that the capillarity of the soil may become more or less disturbed, because of the layer of undecayed vegetable matter under- lying the ploughed soil. The furrow should be turned on edge as much as possible to avoid this condition. Thorough discing is a great help in restoring the soil to its former capillarity, and also in cutting up the green crop ploughed under. 26. Effects of Green Manuring. Green crops are valu- 18 MARIvpyr GARDENING able and desirable sources of humus, but the rotting of green crops when ploughed under has a tendency to leave the soil somewhat acid. Before attempting to grow all kinds of vegetables in soil on which a green crop has been grown and ploughed under, an application of liuie must be made to neutralize the acidity. 27. Catch Crops, (ireen crops arc often grown as catch crops. After the ground is cleared in the fall, or even before the crop is off the ground, a sowing may be made of crimson clover or rye. Crimson clover is often sowed between the rows of sweet corn when the last cultivation is given. Such catch crops may be grown as sources of humus, or as is often the case, tiiey are grown to hold the soil and to prevent washing. Catch crops being grown only through a limited season seldom grow to nmch size. CHAPTER III HOT Bl<:i)S 28. Uses. Hot beds are used to start plants ahead of season, thereby enabling the grower to mature such crops as tomatoes, cabl)age, cauliflower, peppers, and many others earlier than their normal period of maturity. They are also used to grow such crops as radishes, lettuce, and green onions for marketing. Hot beds are often used for protection, either in the spring or fall. Plants may be planted in a hot bed in the spring and allowed to remain in them until the danger of frost is passed, when the beds are removed; or the hot beds may be used in the fall for maturing crops after the frosts begin. 29. Location. The hot beds should be constructed on a well drained piece of ground with a south oi" southeast exposure. The l)eds should be protectinl against cold winds. This may be done by taking advantage of natural wind breaks, such as hedges, l)oard fences, or buildings. A tem- porary protection may l)e afforded by erecting frames and putting hot l)ed mats on them. 30. Means of Heating. Hot beds are usually heated by fermenting manure, although steam or hot water are sometimes employed as sources of heat. The coils of pipe are hung on the frames, and pipes incased in tile are buried in the soil. The tile prevents too rapid drying out of the soil. Hot air is used for heating hot beds by constructing a furnace outside and at the end of the hot bed, and burying 19 20 MARKET GARDExXlNG CQ a E>#t^^St HOT BEDS 21 the flue in the hot bed. The flue should divide into two Hues and unite again at the farther end of the bed. Tile is commonly employed in building the flue, although brick may be used. 31. Construction. Manure heated hot beds arc con- structed by digging a pit fifteen to thirty inches deep and six feet wide and placing over it a frame as long as may be desired. The front of the bed should be six inches lower than the back so that the glass may have the proper slope toward the sun. The common practice is to build the front six inches high and the back of the bed twelve inches high. Fig. 8, which is a cross-section view^ of a hot bed, shows the general features of construction. The frame should be strongly constructed of durable lumber, such as chestnut or cypress planking, and 2X4 inch posts. Cross bars should be placed from the front to the back of the bed at regular intervals to stiffen the frame. The frame of the hot bed is constructed to support the sash, which is commonly 3X6 feet, and glazed with 10X12 inch glass. Smaller glass is sometimes used, l)ut three sections of 10X12 inch glass is preferred by most growers. Sash is often made and used in sizes larger than 3x6 feet, but larger sash is much heavier and more awkward to handle, also a bed over six feet wide cannot be worked advantageously. The sash should be made of cypress or cedar to assure durability. The depth of the pit is determined l)y such factors as the time of year, whether the weather is severe or mild, and the kind of crop to l)e grown. Such crops as radishes or lettuce do not recjuire so much heat as do tomatoes or peppers. 32. Preparation of the Manure. Horse or mule manure may be used as a source of heat. The manure should be 22 MARKET GARDENING freshly gathered, or else should he manure that has not been heated. Place the manure in a pile about six feet wide and four feet deep and as long as may l)e necessary. The manure should be prepared under cover of a shed for best results. As the pile is constructed, the material should be shaken out and well firmed with the back of the fork or l)y lightly tramping. The pile should \)v examined often, and as soon as a good heat is generated, it should be turned, taking care ^Jl Manure Fk;. 8. — Cross-seclioii of a Hot Bed. that the outside of the pile is ])laced in the centre of the new pile, h.xamine the pile cai'efully and in two or three days the fermentation will again have become well started heating the manure thoroughly. The manure is then ready to put into the pit. The manure is placed in the })it, a layer at a time, four to six inches deep, and tramped well, especially in the corners and along the sides. After the pit has l)een filled to the re(iuired depth, two to six inches of good loam is placed on the manure. When the hot beds are used for the growing of plants in flats or pots, two inches of soil is HOT BEDS 23 sufficient to keep the air sweet, and to absorl) the moisture from the manure. When crops are to be grown in the soil of the hot bed, the soil should be at least six inches deep. After the manure has been placed in the pit and covered with loam, the hot bed thermometers should be thrust into the manure, and the sash, shutters and mats should be placed over the hot bed. As soon as the manure has again become hot and the soil is warmed through, the bed is ready for the introduction of plants in flats, or for the planting of crops in the soil. 33. Care of the Hot Bed. Careful attention to the details of watering and ventilation are necessary for the suc- cess in growing plants in hot beds. The water should be ap- plied evenly and at a time when the temperature is rising. Watch the beds at the sides and corners that they do not dry out too rapidly. The hot beds are ventilated by raising the sash, either at intervals along the bed, or all of them, as the conditions may demand. Small blocks of wood are handy for placing undcn- the sash for ventilating. Avoid drafts as much as possil)le at all times, particularly with such crops as tomatoes, peppers or any other of the more tender crops. In the early spring, when the weather is yet quite severe at times, the hot beds must be banked with hot manure at the time that the pit is filled with manure for heating the bed. The manure should be banked to the full height of the frames antl tramped firmly. Anything that W'ill exclude the cold may be used for covering the frames at night and during severe weather. Mats of various kinds may be purchased, or straw mats may be made at home. Old blankets are sometimes used, also wooden shutters. The shutters are made the same size as the sash, 3x6 feet, and of light lumber. CHAPTr:R IV SEEDS AND SEED SOWING. TRANSPLANTING 34. Quality of the Seed. Tlio importance of planting good scetl cannot be overestimated, because upon the selec- tion of the seed may depend the success or failure of the ci'op. Several factors detcM'mine the (|uality of the seed; the most important are vidhilihi and iriilh to tunne and type. To hav(^ a higii percentage of germination the seed must lie viabl(\i.e., must have the abiht y to germinate under average conditions and grow into seedlings. The seed must be true to name, that is, it should produce plants of the variety for which it is purchased. It must l)e true to type, or strain. Most varieties of vegetables and fruits have a numlier of types; it is undesirable tiiat a planting of any crop should be a mixture of several types. The average of gootl s(hm1 is reasonably free from weed seeds and dirt, l)ut the grower should be sure that his seed is clean before planting it. The growing of seeds at home is quite extensively prac- ticed and with good results if the grower has a definite, fixed idea as to the type of plant which he wishes to propagate. When selecting fruits for their seeds, the gi'ower should select the plant for its good qualities rather than select the biggest and finest fruits I'egardless of the plant upon whicli tliey have been grown. If the plant is not vigorous and does not possess desiral)Ie qualities, it is probable tliat the seed saved, even though the fruits be 24 SEEDS AND SEED SOWING. TRANSPLANTING 25 desirable, will not produce fruits of the grade desired. The average grower will usually do bettei- to buy his seed from a reliable seedsman rather than to attempt to grow his own seed. The seeds of most vegetables are viable and will produce good plants and crops if they are more than one year old when planted. The best practice is to plant fresh seeds be- cause the quality of the seed is determined as much by the conditions under which they have been stored as upon the conditions under which they have been grown. Seeds should be stored in tight bags in a cool dry place. 35. Germination. Each seed contains a minute plant ready to start into growth as soon as sufficient heat and moisture are supplied. Figs. 9(«), 9(6), 9(c) and 9{(l) show successive stages in the growth of a corn seedling. The minute plant in the kernel absorbs moisture and increases in size, first sending out a root and later the stem. Later, other roots appear and the stem turns upward toward the light while the tap root pushes its way downward into the soil. Until the roots are grown, the kernel furnishes food to the plant. Seeds may be germinated between layers of moist, warm flannel, or in small germination dishes, and will make suffici- ent growth under these conditions for the grower to test his seeds and determine the percentage of viable seeds. All seeds which will germinate, that is start into some growth, will not grow into a good plant. It is only the seeds producing a strong root and sprout that will grow into good plants. Every grower of vegetables should test his seeds before planting any of them in the ground. A simple and con- venient method is to take a piece of clean wliite flannel, dip it in warm water and wring the water out until it no longer Tap Root Tap Root Fifi. 9 (a). — The Germination of Corn. The tap root is ajjpearing and tlie embryo plant is much in- creased in size. iroiuul Line Tap Root Fig. (c). — The Germination ol Corn. Stem breaking tlu'ouy,li the Soil. Fi<;. 9 (Ji). — The Germination of Corn. Tap root longer and stem a))pearing. Note how the stem is growing upward toward the light and the root downward into the soil. Fig. 9 ((/). — The Corn Seedling. 26 SEEDS AND SEED SOWING. TRANSPLANTING 27 drips from the flannel. Two warm, eioht inch plates will then be needed to contain the flannel. Lay the flannel in one plate and on one end of it count out a number of seeds. It is best to use the seeds in lots of from ten to one hundred; one hundred l^eing- the best number to use as a fairer test can ])e had from this number of seeds than from any smaller number. After the seeds have been counted and laid on one end of the flannel, fold the other end of the flannel over the seeds so that they are all covered. The second plate should then be placed over the first plate containing the flannel and seeds, with the bottom of the plate upwards, and the whole set aside in a place where the temperature can be kept at about 70°. The seeds should be examined every day that the flannel may be kept moist by additions of water, and all germinated seeds counted and thrown out. The number of seeds remaining after all the germinated seeds have been thrown out will determine the percentage of germination for the lot tested. Thus, if we have one hundred seeds and twenty remain after the test, we know that eighty per cent of the seeds are viable and can reasonably be depended upon to produce plants. 36. The Seed Bed. The seed bed must be carefully and thoroughly prepared; lumps and coarse material must be raked out, leaving the surface in a fine, smooth condition. The seed bed should have a depth of at least four to six inches of good loam and should l)e thoroughly pulverized clear to the l)ottom. The lighter soils furnish the best con- ditions for making the seed bed and are more easil}' gotten into proper condition than are the heavier soils. After having thoroughly prepared tlie seed bed, the con- ditions necessary for the germination of the planted seeds are principally heat and moisture. All soil contains some au', at least a sufficient amount will ordinarily surround a seed 28 MARKET GARDENING for its use while germinatino; and growing into a seedling. The conditions which have to be supplied tlien are the heat and the moisture. If the setuls are to l)e planted in a hot bed, the ground must l)e warmetl by the use of glass and the numure under the l)ed; if the seeds are to be planted in the open ground we must depend upon the weather conditions for the right temperature of the soil. The seeds of the cooler loving plants such as cabbage, or turnip, may be planted in cooler soils than such seed as tomato, egg plant or cucumber. Such seeds as lettuce, spinach, cabbage, beet and railishes may l)e sown earlier and under cooler conditions than may seeds of tomato, corn, egg plant, melons and other warmth loving plants. The time for :^ve(\ sowing depends ujion such factors as condition of the soil, habilil\- I'oi- frost and tlie season. For such plants as tomatoes, peppers, egg plant, lettuce, cabbage and other transplanted ci'ops, the time for sowing the seed under glass is determined largely by the season in which it is desired to harvest the ci'ops. 37. Planting. In the lioinc garden the seeds are usually planted by hand l)y dropping I hem in the liill or furrow previously prepai'ed. 'i'hal the rows may be straight and a uniform distance ai)art, the ground should be measured and staked and a line uscmI in marking out the rows. The line should be stretched tightly and the corner of a hoe or the back of a rake used to follow the linc^ and make the pro- posed furrow. The seeds shouUl be dropped at uniform intervals; seed held between the thumb and finger may be dropped evenly with a little practice. For the larger garden, a seed drill is indispensal)le for economical planting. The depth of planting is then easily regulated. After ])lanting, tlie soil should be finned l)y pressing it down with the back of a hoe oi' rake. This is done to restore SEEDS AND SEED SOWING. TRANSPLANTING 29 the capillarity of the soil which has been destroyed by open- ing the furrow or hill. The seed drill does this by the pressure of the trail wheel which follows over the planted row after the seed is covered by the planter wings. For the best and quickest results the seed should be planted only in freshly prepared ground. In such ground the conditions of heat and moisture are at their best and the seed is placed in surrountlings most favorable for ciuick germination and the growth of the seedling. 38. Transplanting. To obtain early fruits of such plants as tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, egg plant and peppers, it is necessary to plant the seeds early, in a protected loca- tion, or in a green-house or hot bed, from which the seed- lings are transplanted one or more times. Some of the benefits of transplanting are early maturity, the economical use of the ground by growing seedlings for transplanting to the field as soon or even before a crop is taken off, the increase in productiveness that results from transplanting. A plant that has been transplanted develops a better root system than one that is not transplanted. Plants to be transplanted should be allowed to dry out for at least a day previous to transplanting and watered just before transplanting. This procedure tends to fill the plants with water just before disturbing them, it also aids in retain- ing a ball of earth around the roots. The plants should be lifted carefully that the system of roots be disturbed and broken as little as possible. The plants will start easier and more quickly if a little water is poured around them when transplanted, or if they can be irrigated after jjeing set. Before transplanting begins, the field should be carefully marked that the rows may be straight and properly spaced. The time to transplant is determined by conditions of the plants to be transplanted, the weather conditions, conditions 3U MARKET GARDENING of the soil, whether dry enough, moist enough, warm enough, or properly prepared. If possible, it is best to choose a cool or cloudy day for transplanting, or to trans- Fii;. 10. — Dibliers far Transplanting. plant just before a rain. When these conditions are not to be had, do the transplanting late in the day, rather than in the morning. ■5^~'.^§^~^^*S*.»-Sr?^cc: Fig. 11.— Proper Method of Using a Dibber in Transplanting. Note how the soil is pressed firmly around the roots of the seedling, Wlu'n transplanting, set the plants just a little deeper than thry were set previously. Plants are generally transplanted by hand, a dibber or SEEDS AND SEED SOWING. TRANSPLANTING 31 trowel, Fig. 10, being used to make the hole. After the seedling is placed, the soil should be pressed firmly around the roots with the fingers, or with the dibber or trowel handle as in Fig. 11. When the gardening operations are small, the trans- planted plants can easily be shaded for a few days after being set in the field. Shingles, paper bags, small boxes, or anything that will cast a shadow may be used for shading. CHAPXr^K V IRRKiATION 39. Moisture Requirements of Plants. Water plays a most iiiijiortant part in all stages of plant growth. Mois- ture is necessary for seed germination and is no less necessary' to the seedling and plant. The soil may be properly pre- pared and there may be an al)undance of properly balanced fertilizer, but unless sufficient moisture is present in the soil the plant can make but little growth or get but little benefit from the fertilizer supplied for it. Water is a solvent of plant foods. It also acts as a carrier of plant food in solution, and holds plant foods in solution in the soil. Moisture is necessary for the action of fri(>ndly l)acteria, and l)v carrying solvent acids to the plant food pres(Mit in the soil, it makes the plant food avail- able to the plant. Vegetal )les arc composed very largely of water; in some cases they are over 90% water. Thv i)lant juice, or sap, is composed veiy largely of water, it thereby becoming the principal agent in the carrying of plant food from the soil to the various parts of the plant. Enormous quantities of wate on well-drained soil. A sandy soil is best for this pvn'pose as it alTords good di'ainage. The pit should be about three feet deep and the roots should be covered to a depth of from six to eighteen inches, dej^Miding upon the locality and tlie season, ^'entilation should ])e provided by placing shoi't lengths of tile in the ))it, slanted away from the ])revailing winds. The tile siiould extend at least two inches above the surface of the pit. The soil thrown over the pit should have sufhcient crown to cause it to shed water easily. C'ahbage may be storetl in a pit or in a cool cellar when placed on sludves or in snuill well-ventilated bins. 42. School Gardens. As the excellent custom of plant- ing and caring for vegetable and flower gardens as a part of VEGETABLE GARDENS 39 school recreation and training is increasing, it is hoped that this little manual ma}' l)e found of value as a concise and practical guide in such work. For this reason, brief sugges- tions for the planning of the school garden are here given. When the area available for the school garden is of sufficient size, the ground shoidd l)e prepared by the use of teams. A good dressing of rotted manure should l)e ploughed under and this followed by thorough discing. A dressing of a high grade, complete chemical fertilizer is desiral)le. After discing the ground, the surface should be gotten into condition with the smoothing harrow. If the use of teams is not possible, the ground may be spaded and raked by hand. Plots. The individual jilots shoukl be laid off by the use of stakes and a cord to surround each plot and the rows should be laid off to run across the wiiole row of plots, that the row spacing may l)e uniform. The plots should be numbered. The size of tlie plots is often determined by the area available for the class. The size of the plots may be determined Ijy the age or previous experience of the students. The plots vary from six b}' six feet for the smaller children up to as large as one hundred feet long and six to eight feet wide for the older, or more experienced students. Six feet wide is the most desirable width for the school garden; plots wider than this are hard to work without walking on them. The center of a six foot plot can easily be reached from each side. A path eighteen to twenty- four inches wide should be left between the plots. This gives sufficient space in which to work and pi'ovides space into which trash and weeds niaj^ be dumped, later to be hauled away. It is desiral)le that the plots be laid out so that the rows may run north and south rather than east and west. A north and south row assures for each row an eciual amount 40 MARKET GARDENING O VEGETABLE GARDENS 41 of sunlight. This is quite important in growing tall crops together with low growing crops. The planting distance will largely be determined l)y the crops grown. Such crops as carrots, beets, radishes, onions and lettuce may be grown in rows sixteen inches apart. When carrots, beets, lettuce or other small growing crop are grown, the radishes or onion sets may be used as fillers, being set in the center of the sixteen inch rows. This leaves the rows but eight inches apart. Such crops as beans, peas, peppers, egg plants and similar size crops should be planted in rows from eighteen to twenty-four inches apart. Radishes lettuce and onion sets are fine fillers, or companion crops to be used with such crops. The vegetables grown should be of the common kinds with which most students are more or less familiar. If desired, flowers may also be grown, one end of each plot being devoted to them. Plan. The following plan is suggested for a plot six feet wide and thirty feet long: Beginning at one end of the plot lay off twelve rows sixteen inches apart, and seven rows twenty-four inches apart. In the sixteen inch rows, plant four rows each of lettuce, beets and carrots and interplant six rows with radishes and six rows with onions or onion sets. In the twenty-four inch rows plant one row each of peas, beans, cabbage, cauliflower, peppers, egg plant and tomatoes. It is expected that these larger growing crops will be grown from transplanted plants rather than from seed. Between the twenty-four inch rows there may be planted transplanted beet or lettuce plants. The space should again be dividetl by planting radish seed in the center of the twelve inch rows. Such a plan as outlined will give the student a good working knowledge in the handling of seeds, and plants for trans- 42 MARKET GARDENLNG planting, and will afford an example of intensive gardening and in the use of companion crops. Tools. The tool equipment should consist of a sufficient number of small garden hoes, hand woeders, trowels and dibbles so that each student may have pi'oper tools for each operation. The garden iioes should be light, yet strong, and not too wide as they must he used in rows as close as six inches. A number of rakes must be available for use in preparing the plots for planting. It is highly tlesirable that a number of wheel hoes and seed drills be availal)le for planting the gardens, at least in part, and for cultivating. There are a number of desirable combination seed drills and wheel hoes on the market, the most tlesirable of which are those in which the seed drill or the wheel-hoe attachment may be used entirely independent of each other. It is not expected that all of the planting will l)e done by the use of the seed drills but the student should have sufficient use of these tools to become familiar with them. CHAPTEPv VII STORING AND PACKING 43. Storage Cellars and Pits. That the greatest returns from the vegetal )le garden may Ije liad, a considerable por- tion of many of the crops must l)e stored and held for sale during the winter months. Such crops as l)eets, carrots, turnips, celery, cal)l)age and potatoes are easily held if properly stored. The root celhir is the most common storage. This may be a cellar under a liarn or house, or it may be a pit sub- stantially walled and roofed to ecjuip it for permanent use. The cellar or pit should be frost proof and so located that perfect drainage is had. Provision must also be made for ventilation. During the early fall and in the spring, the temperature of the storage is tlependent upon the ventilation, the tloors and ventilators being opened at night antl closed early in the morning that the cool air of tiie night may be held during the day. 44. Storing Root Crops. The loot crops to be stored must be handled carefully to avoid unnecessary bruising. The tops should not be cut too close to the root; about one inch from the root is the right length to cut the tops. Do not expose the roots to the air longer than is necessary before moving them to the storage. Clean, moist sand must be provided for covering and burying the roots. The roots should he cool when placed in the storage. Root crops can be held in good condition in open l)ins if the air 43 44 MARKET GARDENING •„l at variety of crops. The bushel l)ox is easy to handle and to load on a wagon, or truck, or to handle in shipping by exjM'css or freight. Crates ai'e used for such vegetables as asparagus and celeiy when packed for long shipment. The size of the crate varies with tlie demands of the market and the locality Fk;. 22. — Baircl ll,(iii|)('r. served. C*abbages and caulitlower also ;ii'e often shipped in crates, although barrels are ([uite genei'allx' employed in shipping these two crops. Bushel baskets of various designs are used for shipping such ci'ops as peas, string beans and spinach. The basket is usually of the "pcnich basket " type and has a light wooden cover, easily attached. There are a nvanljer of si^ccial packages on the market STORING AND PACKING 51 52 MARKET GARDENING which arc often of nuich value for use in a local market. Tomatoes are often packed in small baskets which are crated for shipment, as in Fig. 20. The crate usually holds six Ixaskcts although some crates are large enough to hold twelve baskets in two tiers of six baskets each. The cost of such a crate, with the baskets, runs from twenty-five cents to thirty cents each. The cost is too high for general use, and such a package can be used profitably only when crops are grown and shipped out of season and the returns are proportionately higher than normal. Tomatoes sold in small baskets, holding about ten pounds each, of which there are six baskets to the crate, as in Fig. 21, should be wrapped in thin paper wrappers for the best result. The wrapper may be used to advertise the grower and to estaljlish a brand. Tomatoes which are wrapped will carry better and open up in better condition than will tomatoes which are not wrapped. ( )nly hot house grown fruit will usually justify the use of expensive packages and the wrap- ping of each fruit. CHAPTER VIII CROPS I. ASPARAGU!l Propagation. Asparagus beds, or plantations, are usually established by planting one year old plants. Two year old plants which cost more are often planted, but the one year crowns give the best results and should be used in starting an asparagus plantation. The seed should l)e the best obtainable and is best sown with a seed drill in rows not less than sixteen inches apart for hand cultivation, nor less than thirty inches apart for horse cultivation. The ground sehM-ted for a seed bed should be a rich mellow loam, free from stones or rubbish. The seed should not be covered deeper than one and one-half inches. Do not sow the seed too thickly. The plants for best development should stand not less than two inches apart in the row, three or four inches apart would lie better. The plants should lie lifted in the fall and stored in a root cellar covered with moist sand. Planting. The field selected for an asparagus bed should l)e a rich deep loam, thoroughly cultivated, as free as possible from stones or rubbish of any kind. Previous to planting, the field should be heavily fertilized with well rotted manure. This should be supplemented by a liberal application of high grade, complete fertilizer. Nitrate of soda should be applied at intervals during the growing sea- son. Spring planting is generally practiced. 53 54 MARKET GARDENING The crowns should ho sot in furrows, six to twelve inches deep, depending upon tho depth of the toj) soil. It is not advisahle ever to make furrows so deep that the roots will be in or very near the sub-soil. Eight to ten inches is the average depth of planting. The reason for deep planting is that, ns the crowns naiew themselves each year, they come nearer the surface. D(^ep planting also places the crown deep enough so that tho plantation can be cultivated by a disc harrow without injury to tho crowns. Deep planting thus insures a longer life for tho plantation than shallow planting. After th(^ furrows aro made, make sui'o that there is a layer of good soil in tho bottom of tho furrow on which to place tho crowns. Spr(\-i(l tho (ioshy roots out so that their position will bo as noarly as possible that in which they grew in tho seed bod. ('o\'or tho crowns to a depth of two or tlnxM' inches, finning tho soil well over the roots. The crowns should not bo covered any deeper until the shoots come through tlu> ground, when tho furrows may be gradually filled in by cultivation. Tho furrows can usually be leveled by tho culti\ation praoticod the first season, in any event the ground should be Icvolod by fall. Distance to Plant. In good rich soil tho rows may be four foot apart and the plants set two to three feet apart in the row. Planting distances vary in different locahties and states, but the average distance is two and one-half to four fo(>t. Cultivation. As early as the ground can be worked, thoroughly cultivate tho field with a disc harrow. The soil should 1)0 kept well cultivated through the growing season as long as horse-drawn tools can be used without much injvn-y to tho tops. Hand hoeing may be necessary at times but it is not generally practiced on large plantations. CHOPS 55 Ridging. There are two kinds of asparagus mar- keted, green and hlanched grass. Blanched grass is produced by cutting the shoots as soon as the tips show above ground; green grass is produced by cutting the shoots as soon as they have grown to the required length above ground. The shoots nia}^ be cut at the surface of the ground or just below the surface. Whether blanched grass or green grass, is desired, the practice is to ridge the ground over the rows. The ridges should be higher for producing blanched grass than for producing green grass. Tiie purpose of the ridge is primarily to gain a greater length of stalk of l)lanched grass. Harvesting. A light cutting of asparagus may be had the second year, if plenty of fertilizer is applied to the plantation. The third year the cutting mav continue from three to four weeks. As the plantation becomes older, the cutting season is extended until it may continue from eight to ten weeks. The shoots are gathered by cutting them off with a sharp knife. When l)lanched grass is desired, the knife is passed down the stalk until the required length is attained, when the shoot is cut off. The stalks should be cut long enough to make bunches six to ten inches long. The num- ber of stalks to the l)unch varies, but the bunches should be four and one-half inches in diameter, and weigh two and one-lialf to three pounds. Yield. The yield per acre varies; 1500 to 2000 launches per acre being considered excellent yields. The returns often run as high as $500.00 per acre, but the average is $200.00 to $250.00 per acre, for plantations in their prime. Fertilizers. During the cutting season, nitrate of soda should be sown along the rows, or l^roadcasted, in three or four applications. After the cutting season is over, 56 MARKET GARDENING apply 1000 to 2000 pounds per acre of a high grade fertilizer. In the fall broadcast rotted manure at the rate of at least 20 cords per acre and let it lay on the ground over the winter. The manure should be disced in in the spring, II. BEANS Soils. Beans do well on almost any kind of soil if it contains a reasonable ciuantity of hunuis. Light, well- drained soils, however, are espcn-ially desirable. Bush beans do ix'st in sandy soils. Lima b(>ans are the most difficult to grow as they require a long season to reach maturity and are very susceptible to advei'si* conditions, such as wet ground at the tiinc of ])lantiiig oi- continued cold weather. Planting. Beans should not be planted until danger of frost is passed and the ground is well warmed, although the bush varieties are more resistant to cold than are the pole beans. Heans may be planted in hills or drills as desired. 'The distance between rows of bush beans, where horse culti\-ation is ])racticed, is thirty inches io thirty-six inches. When liand cultivation is praeliee(l, it is jjest not to plant in rows closer than eighteen oi' twent>' inches. The seed should be of ttie best (piality. Vole beans should be planted in hills three or four feet apart. Bush beans are usually ])lant('d in a drill, the depth of planting varying with the kind of soil and the season of planting, from one inch in lieavy soils to tlu'ce inches in lighter soils. Use of Supports. Wire trellises may be used, or poles seven feet or more in height, for the support of the pole beans. The bark should \}v left on the poles that the beans may have a rough surface on which to cling. Cultivation. Freciuent and thorough cultivation siiould CROPS 57 be practiced. Il should he borne in mind, however, that the bean is a shallow-rooted plant, and that the cultivation must be carefully done to avoid breaking the roots. Harvesting. Snap or shell beans must be gathered by hand. Half-bushel baskets are convenient for this pur- pose. Field beans may be pulled by hand or harvested by machines that cut the plants off close to the ground and leave them in windrows. After cutting, the beans are allowed to cure until in the proper condition to run through a threshing machine. Snap or shell beans are marketed in baskets or boxes holding a bushel each. Dry or field beans are generally marketed in sacks. Previous to sacking, the l^eans are run through machines that remove the dirt ami rubbish. Varieties. There are many varieties of beans and the grower, in selecting liis varieties, will do best to choose such varieties as have been proven adapted to the conditions under which he intends to grow them. Fertilizers. Nitrogenous fertilizers are not required to any extent for beans. A complete fertilizer containing 2% or 3% of nitrogen, 8% potash and 10% of phosphoric acid, is well adapted to fertilizing beans. This should be used at the rate of 500 to b500 poumls per acre. To maintain the supply of humus, cover crops may be grown and ploughed under, or stal)le manure ploughed in at the rate of 10 to 15 cords per acre. III. BEETS Soil. Beets do best in light soils; sandy loams being particularly desirable. Such soils produce a crop early, with roots smooth and free from fibrous roots. Heavy soils tend to irregular shaped roots and to the production 58 MAKKET gakdp:>;ing CliOPS 59 of many fibrous roots. If beets are being grown for a local market, not too discriminating, they may be a profitable crop when grown in any good soil. Planting. Beets are a cold-loving vegetable and may, therefore, be planted in the spring as soon as the ground can be gotten into good condition. The seed should be the best quality obtainable and should l)e sown in drills, not too thickly. The rows should be fourteen to sixteen inches apart. The distance between plants in the row will depend upon the size of root desired. It is a good plan to sow the seed rather thickly, thin them when six to eight inches high, and sell the thinnings for greens. The next pulling would be for early bunch beets and the final harvest would be of the roots near maturity or when fully grown. Transplanting. Teets transplant easily and to good advantage in sandy loams. The plants should be grown from four to six weeks in a hot bed or greenhouse before transplanting. Handle the seedling carefully, the more careful the handling, the fewer fibrous roots will be found. The plants should be well hardened before moving them to the field. If well hanlened, they will stand freezing without damage. Marketing. Early beets are always sold in bunches, the number in a bunch varies from four to ten, depending upon the season and the size of the roots. More mature beets are sold by the bushel box. The tops are cut oft' at least an inch from the root. Fertilizers. Early beets should grow very quickly. The beets for storage need not be grown so rapidly, but should maintain a steady growth. Nitrogenous fertilizers are necessary for earliness, but a more balanced fertilizer is best for the later crop. The ground should have a heavy dressing of stable manure at the rate of at least 20 cords to 60 MARKET GARDENING p2 : •^■: y^l i^.J: 1 1* Si'"'*" si K\ "W V CROPS 61 the acre. This should be supplemented by the application of a high grade complete fertilizer containing 4% nitrogen, 8% phosphorus, and 10% potash, and used at the rate of a ton to the acre. Storage. Beets may be stored in pits, out of doors, or in cellars, buried in moist sand. The roots are pulled and the tops cut about an inch long. The roots should be kept in storage at about 33° F. IV. CABBAGE Planting. Cabbage is a transplanted crop, the seed being planted in greenhouses or hot beds for the first crop and in a protected location out of doors, or in a hot bed, for the later crop. The plants are ready for transplanting when six to eight weeks old. For early planting, the seed should be sown about March first and transplanted to two b>' two inches when the first true leaves appear. The plants may be set in the field as soon as the ground can ho gotten in condition in the spring. If properly hardened before plant- ing out, they will stand frost without any damage. The seed for the late crop is generally planted about June first. The seed should be planted in a protected lor'ation but the plants need not necessarily be transplanted until ready for the field. The selection of the seed for the cabbage crop is most important in order that the strain or type of head desired may be produced. Planting distances vary with the variety of cabbage grown. Early varieties may be set as close as fifteen by twenty-eight inches, the later sorts should be set farther apart up to twenty-four by thirty-six inches. Soil. Cabbages do best in the heavier, cooler kinds of soil, plenty of moisture being of great importance for the 62 MARKET GARDENING 03 u u s o u CROPS 63 successful growing of this crop. The ground should be well prepared before planting cabbages. Cultivation. Cultivation should Ijegin as soon as the plants are set in the field and continue as long as the spreading plants will permit. Harvesting. The time of harvesting depends upon the size of heads desired. The grower is largely influenced by the market conditions. Small heads may often be cut to advantage, particularly if the cabbage are sold by the head; however, it seldom pays to cut small heads for sale by the liarrel. The heads are usually gathered by cutting them oft" with a butcher knife. The outer leaves should be broken down, the head pushed to one side and the stem cut close to the head. For inmiediate sale, the outer leaves should all be removed, but when the cabbage are to be stored, some or all of the outer leaves should be retained, ^^'hen stored in pits, the stump is pulled with the head and the whole plant placed in the pit. Cabbages to l)e stored in cellars are gathered with some of the outer leaves on and placed in narrow, well ventilated bins. The temperature should be kept at 33° F. There are a numl^er of types of cabbage grown, the most common of which are Wakefield, Flat Dutch, Ball Head, Savoy and Red Cabbage. The Wakefield group contains the earlier varieties, the other types contain the later varieties. Fertilizers. Cabbages are gross feeders and need an abundance of quickly available plant food for their proper development. Fifteen to twenty-five cords of manure per acre should l)e ploughed under and a dressing of 1500 to 2000 i)Ounds of a high grade complete fertilizer applied just previous to tlie final harrowing. An application 64 MARKET GARDENING of 150 pounds of nitrate of .soda may be made with benefit after the plants have been set three to five weeks. V. BRUSSELS SPROUTS Brussels sprouts require al)Out the same treatment as do cabbage. Thcy require a somewhat longer period for developnuMit than is required for late cabbage and the plants should l:>e set in iVic field at least ten days earlier than the late crop of cal)l)age. Brussels sprouts are a hardy crop and the main cutting does not occur until late in the fall. In sonic localities the cutting continues throughout the winter. The little heads develop in the axils of the leaves and the crop is gathei'ed as it matures, several caittings being had from each plant. The lower leaves should be broken or cut off as the heads develop. When the climate is severe the plants may l)e lifted and planted in loam or sand in cellars. Such a practice is not of general use but is confined to small crops oi' for family use. The plants should be set the same distances as for cabl)age, the ground ])eing rich in (piickly available plant food. The sprouts are ready for cutting as soon as of proper size. They are usually marketed in small baskets such as strawberry baskets. The top layer should be carefully faced. VI. CAULIFLOWER Soils. Cauliflower can be grown sucessfully on a variety of soils. It does best on rather heavy, clayey soils, and attains to its highest development in such soils, par- ticularly if planted near a large body of water. Low lands bordering lakes or the ocean, are very favorable locations for growing cauliflower. CROPS 65 iiG, 27, — Brussels ksprouts. 66 MARKET GARDENING Planting. For the early crop, the seed must be sown in hot Ix'ds oi- in a o;reen-housc, about March 1st. The seedhngs are transplanted to tAvo inches apart. The soil in which the seeds are sown and in which the seedlings are transplanted, nnist Ix^ carefully selected so that no damp- ing off fungi are introduced. Soil sterilization is sometimes resorted to that the soil may be free from diseases. Tlie seedlings must l)e grown under the most favorable conditions that they may not in any way ho checked; plants that have been checked produce small, imperfect heads. The plants should not be set in the field until danger of hard frosts is passed. Planting distances vary from two l)y three to three by three and one-half feet depending upon the variety grown and the kind (jf cultivation to be practised. Fertilizers. C'auliHower requires an abundant supply of cjuickly available plant food. A heavy api)lication of rotted stable manure should be ploughed under, and from 1000 to 2000 pounds of a high grade, complete fertilizer should be hari'owed in previous to setting the plants in the field. After the jilants are well established, nitrate of soda at the rate of 150 to 200 pounds per acre, should be sown along the rows, or broad casted, two or three times during the growinp; season. As soon as the heads l;)egin to form, the outer leaves should be drawn together over the head and tied with raffia or string. This is done to protect the head from rain and sunlight, in order to jiroduce clean, white heads. Harvesting. Cauliflower may be cut at any time after the heads are of sufficient size to supply the demands of the market or consumer. The heads should be cut low enough and with enough stump so that they will have a layer of leaves surroimding them. The leaves are trimmed off even with the head or a little beyond it. The leaves CROPS 67 serve as a protection for the heads in shipment and hand- ling. Cauhflower is marketed in l^arrels, bushel boxes and crates. VII. CELERY Planting. In the North, the seed for the early crop should be sown from March 1st to March 15th. The seed should be sown in flats containing finely prepared soil well filled with humus, the seed being very small, and the seedHngs not strong enough to push through soils that will pack with watering. As soon as the plants are about one inch high, they should be transplanted to two inches apart each way, in flats containing rich soil well supplied with humus. Seed for the late crop may lie sown in the open as soon as the ground can be prepared in the spring. Distance. The distance between plants in the row in tlie field is from fovu' to twelve inches, depending upon the variety of celery grown. The early or smaller sorts may be set closer than the late or winter varieties. The distance between rows varies with the varieties and the manner of blanching the celery. Early celery that is to be blanched by staking boards, or heavy paper, against the plants, may be set in rows twenty-four to thirty inches apart. Late celery that is to be blanched, or partly blanched, by banking with earth, should not be set in rows closer than four feet, that there may be sufficient soil to plough up to the plants. Planting. The i)lants should not be set in the field until dangcn- of hard frosts is passed. Mature plants will stand slight freezing with little danger, particularly if covered with soil, but if the plants are severely frosted their keeping quality is impaired. 68 MARKET GARDENING Q, '73 Cm "3 U bC C '3d bC Q fe CROPS 69 A good plan for planting early and late celery is to set the two kinds in alternate rows two feet apart. The early celery is to be blanched with boards, or heavy paper, staked against the plants. The early celery is harvested before the late celery needs much banking, leaving the late celery in rows four feet apart. Fertilizers. Celery is a heavy feeder on nitrogenous fertilizers, and applications of at least 25 cords per acre of rotted manure should be made for this crop. A complete high grade fertilizer, containing 4-8-10, should be applied at the rate of 1500 to 3000 pounds per acre previous to planting. Nitrate of soda should be sown along the rows at the rate of 200 pounds per acre at intervals after the plants are well established. Cultivation. The ground should be kept thoroughly cultivated from the time that the plants are set in the field until the time of harvest. Celery requires large quantities of water, and unless there is a sufficient normal supply, irrigation must be practiced to insure a good crop. Harvesting. Celery is ready for harvesting as soon as sufficiently blanched, so long as the plants are of sufficient size. The plants may be dug up with a spade, as in Fig. 28, or ploughed out, or dug with a small tree digger which straddles the row as shown in Fig. 29. The tree digger is very effective in harvesting celery on a big scale. It loosens the plants, cutting off only a small part of the roots, and does not break the stalks as is usually the case when the plants are ploughed out. Preparing for Market. The roots are trimmed off to a wedge shape, the unblanched or broken stalks are stripped off, and if the plants are small, several of them are tied into a bunch. Celery should be thoroughly washed before bunching or packing for market. 70 MAEKET GAKDENI^G ,.,,-'J^g ^Sk «a^H V. t jf^H , -*y ■' ?^IHh z^ . 'S CROPS 71 Blanching. As has been indicated, celery may be blanched by banking with soil, or by staking l)oards, or heavy paper along the rows. Earh' celery cannot often be success- fully blanched by banking with soil, l)ut must be blanched with boards or paper. Blanching must begin in warm weather, and banking with soil at this time will cause the celery to rust. The lumber used for l)lanching should be good, straight boards one foot wide, ten to twelve feet long. The boards are placed against the plants and drawn together at the toj) and held in position by staking, or by forcing stiff, heavy pieces of wire, l)ent into the shape of a hairpin, down the outside of the boards. Recently, a heavy grade of paper, similar to prepared roofing, has l)een on the market, cut one foot wide and in varying lengths. The cost is about $15.00 per thousand feet. The papei- also is held in place by using heavy wire hairpins, and is con- sidered equal to l)oards for blanching. It is easy to place in position, and can be rolled up and stored in a small space in the fall. Late celeiy is blanched, or partly l)lanched, in the field, by banking with soil. The soil may be ploughed up to the plants with a plough or a wing cultivator. A celery banker is an effective implement to use in ploughing the soil up to and against the plants. It has a wire guard that forces the tops back and holds them in place until the soil has been pushed against the plants. Storing. Celery to be blanched in storage is onl3' partly blanched in the field. The plants are lifted with most of their roots, and after the broken and crooked stalks are stripped off, the plants are placed in cellars, pits, or any building where the roots can be set in moist soil and the temperature kept low. Just above the freezing point is the most desirable tempei'ature. The plants should be set as 72 MARKET GARDENING CROPS 73 closely together as possible, the roots being covered with soil. The plants should be held in place by staking up boards and setting the plants against them. It is a good plan to leave an alley six inches wide every ten to twelve feet, to provide good air drainage. The air surrounding the plants should be kept moist, and if the plants become too dry, water the soil, being careful not to wet the plants more than is necessary. Celery will continue to grow and to blanch in storage if the temperature is kept a few degrees above freezing, VIII. CUCUMBERS Soil. In the lighter soils, cucumbers will produce earlier, but in the heavier soils the bearing will be heavier and over a longer period. The soil should be thoroughly cultivated before planting the seed. Planting. The seed should not be planted until danger of frosts is passed. A plan followed by some growers is to plant early and make successive plantings a week apart; all plants not required are afterwards cut out with a hoe. The seeds may be planted in hills or in drills, the distance between hills being four by five to six by six feet. Plants in the drill are thinned to twelve to sixteen inches apart. Fertilizer. The soil should be well manured before ploughing, and just previous to the last harrowing before planting, 1000 to 2000 pounds of a high grade, complete fertilizer should be applied. The cucumber requires potash and phosphoric acid to insure fruitfulness; a 4-8 10 fertilizer is well adapted to this crop. Harvesting. When cucumbers are grown for pickles, the picking should begin as soon as the fruits are of the 74 MARKET GARDENING a; ■7* ; .-i^SBL/'Wi^" s.^^. •'"^•-^'^ ■;w :4 ffi CROPS 75 desired size. For slicing, cucumbers should not usually be gathered until at least six inches long. Whether the cucum- bers are grown for pickles or for slicing purposes they should be gathered at least twice a week to secure uniformity in the size of the fruits. Cultivation. Cultivation should begin as soon as the plants break the ground and should continue as long as possible without too great injury to the vines. IX. DANDELION Planting. The dandelion is a hardy crop and may be planted early in the spring or in the early fall for spring cutting. When grown in the fall, the seed should be sown early enough so that the plants will be nearly full grown by the time hard freezing weather occurs. It is desirable to mulch lightly with straw, although mulching is not necessary for the successful wintering of this crop. Soil. The leaves are the edible portion of this plant and the ground selected for dandelions should be rich and friable. The seed should be planted in rows sixteen to eighteen inches apart, and when planted in the rows for growing to maturity the seedlings should be thinned to at least six inches apart. The seed may be planted in a seed bed and the plants transplanted as desired. Harvesting. Fall grown dandelions are ready for har- vesting as soon as the season opens in the spring. They may be cut with a knife by hand or by the use of a sharpened shuffle hoe as shown in Fig. 31. The plants should be care- fully washed and packed in bushel boxes or baskets for marketing. 76 MARKET GARDENING X. EGG PLANT Soil. Tlio lijihter soils only are adapted to the growing of egg i)lant, heavy soils Ix'ing too cold for this vegetable. Tiie soil should l)e rich in humus, should be deep, and should have a soutliei'n exposure to insure warmth. Starting the Plants. The egg plant must be started under glass, to l)e ready for the field l)y early June. The seed should be sown in flats, or a good seed bed, about the middle of March and the seedlings should be pricked out to two by two inches. The tenipei'ature must be kei)t high, not less than 05° F. at any time. The plants nuist maintain a steady grt)\vth; if checked in any way the yiekl will be far short of normal. Planting. The plants should not be set in the field until the ground is thoroughly warmed. The distance between j)l;uits should l)e t \\(.) by three to four by fom' feet. Fertilizer. A libei'al sujiply of niti'ogen is necessary for the (juick growth of the plants. The soil should be ricli in humus; at least 20 cords to the acre of rotted manure should be ploughed under. An ajiplication of 1000 to 2000 pounds per acre of a high grade, complete fertilizer should be made and harrowed in previous to ])lanting. A top dressing of nitrate of soda, at the rate of 200 pounds per acre, may be made after the plants have become well estab- lished. XI. HORSE-RADISH Desirability. In old-fashioned gardens, horse-radish was considered one of the essential vegetables and its pop- ularity still exists, the ground-up roots mixed with vinegar being much relished as a sauce with cold meats and shell fish. In the home garden, horse-radish is usually grown in CROPS K ffi 78 MARKET GARDENING a corner, or beside a fence out of the way, where it is allowed to grow at will. Planting. Coniniercially, this croj) is grown ciuite ex- tensively in some sections. The method of propogation is to plant tlie small side I'oots with a dibble. Any piece of root, an inch or more long, will produce a plant and root of good size. The most desirable size root for planting is a piece the size of a lead pencil, four to six inches long. Horse-radish may be grown as a main or as a companion crop. When grown as a main crop, the I'oots are set in rows twenty-four to thirty inches a])ai-t, and the roots set ten to twelve inches a|)art in the row. Hoi'se-radish and early cabbage make excellent companions and are largely so grown in the Eastern states. The cabbage and horse-radish being set alternately in the row, the cabbages mature and are out of tlie way so that the hors(»-radish has the land to itself during the latter part of the season. Harvesting and Marketing, The roots are ploughed out in the fall and the to|)s are tiinmied off. The roots are then buried in moist sand to await manufacture into sauce. The larger roots ai'e grountl uj), the smallei- loots being .saved for propogation. Some growers sell the roots while others grind up the roots antl bottle the product. The market is limitetl for horse-radish, but, in favorable locations, it is a profitable croi:). The yield varies from three to five or six tons per acre and the price varies largely with the season, the ciuality of the roots and the demand for them. XII. LETTUCE Soil. Lettuce may be grown successfully in most soils, if well supplied with rotted manure and liberally fertilized with high grade, chemical fertilizers, flight .sandy CHOPS 79 •^Ts^ ""^^^^^^maK"^ fip«^? '^"^ ^-- el 1^' 1^*^ , '-* ~'" -~ c3 Si o u I p!H 80 MARKET GARDENING soils that liavp had heavy (h'cssiiijis of manure are best a(hipte(l to p;r()\ving this crop. Starting the Plants. Lettuce ina>- he lians|)laiite(| or grown to maturity \vhei'(» sown. For transplanting, the seed siiould be sown eight to ten weeks before tiie plants are to l)e set in the field. The seed should ])0 sown in fiats or in a seed bed and the seedlings should be grown un' nine inches. Fertilizer. Heavy api)licatious of rotted manure should \)V ])loughed under. Lettuc(> does vei'V well, howevei', if rather fresh manure is used. In any event, for l)est results, the soil should be well filled with humus. An application of lOOO to 2()()() pounds of a high grade complete fertilizer should \)v made and harrowed in pre\ious to planting. Top dressings of 200 pounds of nitrate of soda to the acre should be made at inteiAals, after the plants are well estal)li:'hed. Season. Lettuce is a cool \';ealh(M' crop and s'.iould be grown only in the spring and fall for heading |)urposes. The plants will stand several degi'ees of fi'cezing w^ith no harm, if they have ])een well hardened before setting in the fiehl. Harvesting. Lettuce is conmionly gathered l)y pull- ing U]) \hc plants, which ai'e then taken to the packing shed and thoroughly washed, after which the roots are cut off, smoothly, just below the lowest leaves. After washing and tiimnung, the plants are put into crates, baskets or boxes, for shipping to market. Varieties. There are two general types of lettuce; CROPS 81 head lettuce and loose leaf, f)r non-lieacllng lettuce. What variety .shall be grown is a (juestion to be decided by the market demands. Tennis Ball and the numerous strains of this variety are generally grown for head lettuce. Grand Rapids and other loose leaf varieties are grown for loose headed lettuce. Cos Lettuce is an excellent kind rapidly coming into favoi-. It is an upright grower with a compact head. The leaves are crisp and tender, and possess a fine flavor. XIII. MUSKMELON Soil. Muskmelons may be grown successfully on a variety of soils, but the lighter soils, well filled with humus, are preferred. Climatic conditions are apparently of more influence than soils on this crop, the muskmelon not stand- ing frosts. Hot days and warm nights are very favorable for its rapid development. Care must be had that sufficient water is available at all times as a lack of moisture is sure to cause weakened plants and fruits of small size. In the West, where alkali is present, irrigation must not be too late or the flavor of the fruit will be hurt. Planting. Plant the seed in the open only after all danger of frost is passed. To secure the earliest results, successive plantings at intervals of a week may be made, and the undesired plants may be pulled or hoed out. A plan followed Ijy many growers is to start the seed in pots or small baskets, not over four weeks before the time for setting the plants in the field. The plants are grown in hot beds or green-houses, and the temperature during the last week is kept as nearly as possible the same as that prevailing in the field. The plants are carefully removed from the pots or baskets with all the earth in which they have grown, care being taken 82 MARKET GARDENING that the ball of earth is broken or disturbed as little as possible. Plants started early will produce marketable fruits a week to ten days ahead of their normal season. Planting distances vary from five by five to six by seven feet. The common practice is to plant six by six feet. Do not make hills; level culture is preferable. Picking. For a local market, the fruit may be allowed to remain attached to the vines until fully ripened. For long shipments, the fruit .should l)e gathered as .soon as it may be separated from the vine. As ripening occurs, the stem gradually loosens its attachment to the melon, and when fully ripe, it will often become detached because of the weight of the vine alone. Fertilizer. Stable manures are the best sources of plant food for the muskmelon, the plants doing best in soils containing an al)undance of organic matter. Care must be taken not to fertilize too heavily witii nitiogenous fer- tilizers. An excess of nitrogen causes large growth of vine at the expense of fruitfulness. A high grade, complete fertilizer should be applied at the rate of al)out 1000 pounds per acre, just before planting. XIV. ONIONS Soil. Rich bottom lands, composed of fine alluvial soil, are especially desirable plots in which to grow onions. Muck or peat soils also give excellent yields of onions, and large areas of such soils are now used for the production of this vegetable. The lighter or sandy loams are very de- sirable for onion growing if they contain plent}' of organic matter. Clay or silt soils are not desirable because of their tendency to bake and pack after the seed are sown. CROPS 83 84 MARKET GARDENING The soil should 1)0 very thorougiily propared. Fall plough- ing is univcM'sally practiced in onion growing sections. Planting. The hulk of the onion crop is produced from seed sown in the spring. Sowing should begin as soon as the ground can be gotten in proper condition. The seeds are sown with a hand drill in rows, twelve to sixteen inches apart, when hand cultivation is practiceil. For horse cul- tivation, the rows should be twenty-four to thirty inches apart. A small well-trained mule may be used to cultivate in rows as close together as eighteen inches. The amount of seed to use pen- acre will depend upon whether the land is favorable to the growth of the seedlings, the season and thc^ (luality of the seed. The seed should always be tested to detcM'mine its viability. When good seed is used and the I'ows are fourteen inches apart, four pounds of seed ))er acre should he sufficient. Early onions ar(> grown from sets, which may be planted in the fall or spring. Tre(^ onion s(>ts may be planted in the fall. Sets grown from seed sown very thick, so as to produce very small bulbs, should be plant<^d in the spring. The sets i)lanted in the s])iing should be ]ilacetl in the ground as soon as it can be gotten into shape for planting. Fall planted sets should be |)ut out four to six weeks before hard fi-eezing weather. Sets are planted for bunching onions, or for the pro- duction of early mature (anions. Bunching onions are also grown from seed. Cultivation. The cultivation should begin even before the seedlings ap])eai-, and should continue throughout the growing season. The cultivation should be shallow so as not to distui'b 1li(^ onion roots, whic!) are close to the surface. Onion cultivation is carried on almost entirely by hand CROPS 85 labor. At the first weeding, the surphis seedHno;s should be removed so that the plants will stand about two inches apart in the row. Hand-wheel hoes, Fig. 34, cither single or double- wheel, are necessary for cultivating onions grown in narrow rows. Onion Sets. Onion sets are produced by sowing seed very thickly on the ground not very rich nor too well supplied with moisture. The seedlings have to compete so severely with one another and against unfavorable con- ditions, that the bulbs never attain to any great size. As soon as the tops begin to turn yellow, the sets are harvested, dried and topped. Multiplier or Perennial Tree onions produce sets on their tops. These are used the same as sets grown from seed. As has been indicated. Perennial Tree onions are very hardy and may be planted in the fall, six to eight weeks before hard freezing weather sets in. After the ground freezes, the sets should be covered with a light mulch of straw or strawy jnauure. Harvesting. Onions for Inmching, should be pulled as soon as tlie Inilbs are of sufficient .size. The number of plants to the bunch will depend upon the size of the plants and upon market reciuirements. Dry onions should l)e allowed to ripen until the tops die down before being pulled. The general practice, how- ever, where large areas are to be harvested, is to begin pulling the onions as soon as the tops are yellow. The onions are pulled and thrown into a windrow. The onions are allowed to dry, or cure, in the windrow for several days, or until the tops are dry enough to easily be twisted off. They are then ready for topping, grading, sacking, and storing. Onions in storage, require cool, dry conditions. The 86 MARKET GAKDEMNG i-' t ,,4'V. ^^» ^x^*^ ■^l*^/^^ \' y4i.V' ;;.V/<4 .^*ii^ "^ ' " ft.' , t ' * f i CROPS 87 temperature should not drop below 32°, about 35° being the best temperature to maintain. Transplanting Onions. The Spanish type of onions are profitably grown l)y transplanting seedlings that are six to eight weeks old. The seed may be sown in a hot bed or green-house. The seedlings should be kept topped to about four inches, to pi'oduce strong plants. Before setting in the field, the plants should be cut back to about three inches, and the roots trimmed off. The plants should be set not closer than four inches in the row in the field. Varieties. The Danvers Yellow Globe, and the South- port, Red, \Mhte and Yellow Globe, are the favorite varieties to grow from seed in the North. The Prizetaker is the favorite for transplanting. The globe onions do not transplant profitably. Fertilizers. Stable mamu'es are valuable sources of plant food for onions, if the manures are previously com- posted and are applied only when I'otted. Manures con- taining coarse material should not be used. The onion is a shallow rooted vegetable and rec^uires an abundance of quickly available plant food. Chemical fertilizers are, therefore, very generally used in growing onions. High grade, complete fertilizers, containing at least 4% of nitrogen should be used. The fornuilas used by different growers vary considerably, but in most cases the nitrogen and potash elements are high. A fertilizer containing 5% nitrogen, 8% phosphoric acid and 12% potash, should be applied at the rate of 1000 pounds to 2500 pounds per acre, depending upon the condition of the soil. A top dressing of nitrate of soda, at the rate of 150 pounds per acre, may be applied after the plants are four to six inches higli. 88 MARKET GARDENING XV. PARSNIP Soil. Sandy loam is best adapted to the growing of parsnips. Heavy soils tend to produce roots irregular in shape and with numerous fibrous roots. Planting. The seed should be sown in drills as soon as the ground can be gotten into sliape in the spring. The rows should V)e sixteen to twenty inches apart and the plants four to seven inches apart in tlie row, depending upon the richness of the soil and the size of the roots desired. The whole season is rec|uired to mature this crop. Harvesting and Storing, 'fhe loots are dug out in the fall and the tops cut off .ubout one inch above the crown. The roots are then ready for storing. In digging the roots, it is a good plan to plougli along one side, or both sides of the row, ploughing away from the plants. This leaves the roots partly (^xposed and easily dug. The roots may be stored in pits out of doors, or in cellars. If stored in a cellar, t he roots sliould be kept buried in moist sand to prevcMit tlieir shiivelliiig. Parsnips are hardly and may be left in the ground over winter. The claim is often made that freezing improves the Cjuality. XVI. SALSIFY This vegetable, because of its flavor, is generally known as " oyster plant." Its cultural requirements are the same as for the parsnip. XVII. PEA Soil. The pea does well on a variety of soils if well supplied with humus. The lighter soils are best for early results, but for the main crop and lie:i\y yields, heavier soils are best. CROPS 89 Planting. The pea is a hardy, cool-loving plant and the seed should be sown as soon as the ground can be worked. The seed is usually sown in drills eighteen to thirty inches apart, for a garden crop. As a field crop, as when grown for canneries, the rows may be thirty-six inches apart, or as is often done, the seed is sown with a grain drill and the crop cut with a mowing machine. The depth of planting varies from one to two inches, depending upon the season and the soil. The earlier and cooler the season the shallower should the planting be, while if the season is advanced, or the soil light, the planting should be deeper. Fertilizers. The pea requires but little nitrogenous fertihzer, but should have a libei-al application of a high grade, complete fertilizer, containing 2% to 3% nitrogen, 8% of phosphoric acid and 10*^7 of potash. Rotted manure should be applied at the rate of 20 cords per acre and ploughed in. Varieties. Peas are divided into two general types: smooth peas and wrinkled peas. The smooth peas are the hardier of the two, and are adapteil for use as a field crop or a garden crop. The wrinkled peas are less hardy than the smooth peas, have finer flavor and are not adapted for field purposes. The varieties may be divided into two groups, com- prising the dwarf sorts and the tall or bush sorts. Gregory's Excelsior, Gradus, Nott's Excelsior, and Thomas Laxton are excellent early varieties. Telegraph and Stratagem are fine late varieties. Harvesting. Peas are ready for harvesting as soon as the seeds are large enough to "shell" easily. The garden varieties are always gathered by hand. Two or more pick- ings are required, and care nmst be exercised that tlie peas 9U MARKET GARDENING do not become too liard before being gathered. Half bushel and bushel baskets and bushel boxes are connnonly used for marketing peas. The tall varieties may be supported in a number of ways, brush being most commonly used. The l)rush should be cut as long as desired and thrust into the ground along the rows. Wire trellis, or chicken wire, may also be used for supporting the vines. XVIII. RADISH The radish is one of the most popular and easily grown vegetables that we have. In the eai'ly season particularly is the radish in great demand. As a maiket garden crop the radish is almost always grown as a filler or companion crop, but in the home garden the radish is generally given a first choice when the collection of seed for planting is being selected. The radish is a hardy crop and gives (juick I'eturns. It is a cool-loving plant and may be planted as soon as the ground can be prepared in the spring. As a greenhouse or hot bed crop it is a universal favorite l)ecause of the ease and quickness with which it is l)rought to an edible size. Seed. The seed of the radish should l)e carefully selected, only the largest and plumpest seed should be planted. Small, inferior seed will produce a crop of small size and inferior (luality and shape of roots. The seed may be cleaned by running it through a fanning mill or l)y screening. The openings in the screen should be ./.^ of an inch in diameter. Plants from the largest antl best seed can be matured in from twenty-one to thirty-six days; plants from small seed will take from six to fourteen days longer to reach maturity. CROPS 91 Planting. The seed should he covered to a depth of from one-half to three quarters of an inch. It is desirable for quick germination that the ground be thoroughly pre- pared and have a sufficient amount of moisture. If planted by hand, the seed should be dropped about one-half inch apart. Machines are properly gauged for planting radish seed if set as directed. The soil should be firmed over the seed after planting to bring the moist earth in direct contact with the seed. To obtain the finest quality, the radish should be grown as rapidly as possible and with plenty of moisture at all times. Marketing. Radishes are ready for pulling as soon as they reach sufficient size. The plants are tied into bunches of from six to ten plants each according to size and the season. They are then carefully washed and packed in bushel boxes or baskets for the market. The Scarlet Globe and strains of this variety are the most profitable and popular sorts to grow, XIX. RHUBARB Soils. Rhul^arb can be grown profitably on most soils, if sufficient humus and plant food are supplied. For early results rhubarb should be planted in sandy loam, with a southern exposure. Propagation. Rhubarb can be propagated from seed, but this procedure is not very satisfactory because the seedlings seldom come true to the type desired. The best method is the ch vision of the old roots; each piece of root with an " eye/' or bud, will produce a plant of the desired qualities. Planting. The best results are obtained from plant- ing in the spring. The soil should previously have been 92 MARKET (JARDENING well supplied with manure. The usual planting distance !> four by four feet, and the eyes or ei-owns should be covered to a depth of six to eight inches. Fertilizers. Rotted stable manure is the best source of plant food for rhubarb. This should be supple- mented by an application of 1000 pounds or more of a high grade, complete fertilizer, containing 6% of the nitrogen element. Nitrate of soda should be applied at intervals during the growing season, at the rate of 150 to 1200 pounds per acre. Some fertilizer should l)e applied after the pulling season is over, in order that the roots may store up plant food for the next year's crop. Mulching with lotted manure is cjuite gcaierally practiced and is very i)eneficial. Thorough cultivation should be practiced throughout the growing season, and irrigation is advisable unless the natural supply of moisture is sufficient. Rhul)arb requires large ([uantities of water and no other crop gives quicker response to irrigation. Harvesting. Tlie sttUks aie pulled as soon as they have attainetl sufficient size, and after tlie leaves are trinnned off close to the stem, the stalks are tied into ])andles of several stalks each. Forcing. Rhubarb is forced in the winter time l\y bringing the large roots into a warm, darkened room or cellar. The roots arc set in soil and kept sufficiently moist. The roots should be dug out in the fall and stored in a cool place. Freezing is claimed to be an advantage. When foi-ced in the dark, fine large stalks, surmounted with very small leaves are produced. The roots are worthless after liaving been forced. CROPS 93 XX. SPINACH Spinach is one of the easiest grown and most popular of the salad crops. It is unexcelled for boiling. A home garden is not complete without it. Planting. The seed may be planted in the spring as soon as the groimd can be prepared, or planting may take place in the early fall. Spinach is a cool-loving plant and does best only during the cooler parts of the season. The seed should be sown in drills sixteen to eighteen inches apart. When fall sowing is done to produce a crop for the spring harvest, it is a good plan to make beds some- what higher than the general level of the ground, that the plants may have proper drainage. The Ijeds should be wide enough for six or more rows of spinach. As freezing weather approaches, the j^lants should be covered with straw or strawy manure, to jjrevent successive freezing and thawing which would tend to lift the plants and destroy them. As soon as the spring opens, the nuilch should be removed. Harvesting. The plants are usually harvested by cut- ting the tap root just under the surface of the ground. This is easily accomplished with the use of a sharpened hoe. The outer leaves should be removed and the plants washed before packing for market. For a local market, the bushel box is a favorite package, but for shipping to a distant market, the barrel or bushel basket should be used. The barrel should be covered with burlap but the basket should have a slatted cover. Fertilizers. The ground must be well fertilized that the i:)lants may make a maximum growth. Heavy appli- cations of rottefl manure and a dressing of a complete high grade, chemical fertilizer should be made previous to sowing the seed. 94 MAKKET GARDENING XXI. SQUASH Soil. A woll fertilized, inediuin to liu;ht soil is the most desirable in whieii to ^row squashes. The success in growing the crook-neck or patty-pan typo of scjuash is dependent to a large degree upon having a soil that will warm up early in the spring. This is no less true with the Hul)l)ard scjuash and other varieties that reciuire a long gi'owing season to attain maturity before frosts in the fall. Planting. The general practice is to plant in hills from four by four feet, for the crook-neck and patty-pan types to ten l)y twelve feet for the Hul)bard squash. The seed should not be planted until danger of frost is i)assed and tlie ground has Ix'come suthciently warmed. To obtain earlic^st lesults, the s(>ed may l)e ])laiited in [)f)ts or baskets in a hot bed or gi'(>en-liouse, four to six weeks l)efore being set in the open. When transplanting, gi'cat care nnjst be taken that the ball of earth is distui'bed as little as possibl(\ Harvesting. The sunnner scpiashes iiiv harvested as soon as they attain sufficient size to becoine salal)le. The fall and winter kinds should ])e allowed to ripen on the vines before being harvt'sted. Tlu> s(iuash should be gathered with all of its stem intact; the vine sliould be cut about an inch each suU^ of the stem. Unless the weather is too severe, the squashes may be left piled in the fiidd until the stems have become tlun'oughly dried l)efore being placed in storage. Storing. The storage must be warm and dry, the temperature being held at 50° to 55° F. It is customary to have stove or furnace heat in scjuash store-houses. The sqviashes keep l)est - 'mmi stored om ventilated shelves, piled CROPS 95 not more than three deep. The liottom shelf should be at least one foot from the fioor to provide good air drainage. XXII. SWEET CORN Soils. Sweet corn can be grown successfully in any fertile soil, but the best results are obtained in newly broken sod land, or in sod land ploughed in the fall previous to growing the corn. Planting. The earliest sweet corn brings the high- est prices, the grower should therefore select such lands as warm up earliest in the spring, and plant early, making successive plantings until danger of frost is past, when the undesired plants are hoed out. A succession of crops are obtained by planting such varieties as will give succession, or by planting one variety of corn at intervals during the season. Sweet corn is usually planted in drills thirty inches to four feet apart. The distance between plants in the rows should vary with the variety from ten inches for the smaller growing kinds to a foot or more for the larger growing kinds. When grown in hills, two to three plants in a hill are sufficient. Transplanting. Sweet corn can be transplanted suc- cessfully and profital)ly if handled properly. The seed should be planted in pots or l)askets not over four weeks previous to setting in the field. In transplanting, great care must be taken not to disturb tlie roots. Two plants in a three-inch pot are as many as should be grown Each pot should provide plants for one hill. Fertilizer. Rotted stable manures applied at the rate of 20 cords to the acre are very desniible sources of plant food for corn. Chemical fertilizer containing 4% nitrogen, 8% phosphoi'ic acid and 10% potash should be applied at the rate of 1000 to 2000 pounds per acre. 96 , MARKET GARDENING Cultivation. Frequent aiul thorough cultivation should be practiced, horse-drawn implements ])eing used until too much damage is done the growing crop. Varieties, (iolden Bantam, Crosby and Red Cob Cory are good early varieties. Country Gentlemai\ and Sto- well's Evergreen are the most popular and desirable of the later varieties. XXIII. TOMATOES Soil. The tomato can l)e grown successfully on most soils, provid(Ml they are fertile and well drained. (3n the lighter soils, such as sandy loams, the earliest fruits are produced, but the fmit usually is not so firm and meaty as when it is produced on heavier soil. The yield is usu- ally somewhat heavier on the lighter soils than it is on the heavier soils. Planting. For (>arliest results, the seed must be sown under glass about the first of March. The seedlings may l)e transplanted into fiats being set three by three or four l)y four inches, or they may b(^ set in pots or berry baskets. A three-inch pot is suitable for the first trans- planting. As the plants become larger and the roots begin to fill the pots, they should be shifted into larger pots. This procedure should be i-epeated until the conditions are right for setting the plants in the field. The first bud cluster should be pinched out. This will cause the plants to branch out and the formation of several bud clusters in place of the one removed. If tlie plants are well handled and have not l)een allowed to crowd or become spindly, they may have l)lossoms or small tomatoes on them when set in the field. If the trans]ilanting is done care- fully, and the plants have been projierly hardened, the blossoms and small fruit will continue to de\elop normally. CROPS 97 u -.■■^■^^S"- :>..^ 98 MARKET GARDENING Fruit from such plants can ho had in forty to forty-five days. Fertilizers. The soil should 1)0 lihorally supplied with rotted manure, ploughed under and thoroughly incor- porated with the soil by discing. A high grade, complete fertilizer, containing 4% nitrogen, 8^'o phosphoric acid and 10% potash, should be applied at the rate of 1000 to 2000 pounds per acre just previous to setting the plants in the field. Training. In general practice, the plants are set three by three to four by five feet apart, and the plants are allowed to rest on the ground as they Ijocome larger and bear fruit. Pruning the vines and training them to stakes is sometimes ]ii'acticed in the field. When the plants are to 1)0 staked and i)runod, thoy should be sot oigliteon inches apart in the row. A stake is ])rovi(lod foi- each plant and the plant is kept pruned to a single stem. After a sufficient number of clusters of fruit have been set, the toj) of the plant is cut olf. As the lower leaves beconu- old and spotted they should be pruned or entirely cut off. It is an advan- tage to shake the plants every day when they are in blossom to aid in setting the fruits. Harvest ng. Tomatoes, whether grown for a local or distant mark(>t, should be gatheicd befoie becoming entirely ripe. At the height of the season the fruit should be gathered every day. Tomatoes are mai'keted in small s])liiit l)askets holding five to ten ixjunds each, tdso in bushel boxes and l)askets. INDEX Asjjaragus, 53-56. blanching, 55. cultivation, 54. fertilizers for, 55. harvesting, 55. l)lanting, 53, 54. Bacteria, 10. Beans, 56, 57. cultivation, 56, 57. fertilizers for, 57 harvesting, 57. planting, 56. supports for, 56. varieties, 57. Beets, 57-61. fertilizers for, 59, 61, marketing, 59. ])lanting, 59. soil for, 57. storage of, 61. transplanting, 59. Blanching, 55, 67, 71. asparagus, 55. celery, 67, 71. Brussels Sjirouts, 64. Bushel baskets, 50. Bushel box, 48. Cabbage, 61-64. club foot, 16. Cabbage, cultivation, 63. fertilizers for, 63. harvesting, 63. planting, 61. soil for, 61. Catch Croi)S, IS. Cauliflower, 64-67. fertilizers for, 6(i, harvesting, (W). planting, 66. soils for, 64. Celery, 67-73. • blanching, 71. " ' cultivation of, 69. fertilizers for, ()9. harvesting, 6S, 69, 70. marketing, 69. ])lanting, 67. storing, 71, 72. Combination tools, 3, 8. Companion Cropping, 20, 62,, 79 97. Composting, 10, 11. Crates, 48. Cucumbers, 73-75. cultivation, 75. fertilizers for, 73. harvesting, 73, 75. soil for, 73. Dandeli(jn, 75. 99 100 INDEX Dandelion, harvesting, 74, Dibljers, :H). Disc harrow, 5. Dust niuk'h, 5. Egg IMant, 76. fertiUzer for, 76. ])lanting, 76. Exi)osure of (lardens, 2. Fertilizers, 9-18. cheniical, 12-15. (•omiii(>rcial, 11. coinplete, 15. (•oiii|)(istiiig, 10. lidt manures, 10. kinds, '.t. stable manure, 9, 10, 11. Fire fanging, 1 1 . Gardens, 36-42. Germination, 25. conditions for, 27. Horse radish, 76-7S. harvesting, 78. planting, 78. Hot beds, 19-23, 36. care of, 23. construction, 21, 22. heating, 19. location, 19. manuH' for, 21, 22. Hunnis, 10. Irrigation, 32-36. amount of, 35. furrow, 34. methods of, 33, 34, 35. Irrigation, requirements, 32. sprinkler system, 34, 35. Labor, 2. Legumes, 16, 17. Lettuce, 78, 81. fertilizers, 80. harvesting, SO. l)lanting, 80. soils for, 78. varieties, 80, 81. Lime, 15, 16. Location of market garden, 1 Manure, 9, 10, 11. composting, 10. effects of, 17. green, 16. kinds of, 9, 10. Market, 1. Moisture reciuirements, 32 Musk melon, 81, S2. fertilizer for, 82. harvesting, 82. planting, 81. soil, 81. Nitrate of soda, 13. Nitrogen, 12-14. Non-legumes, 17. Nodules, 16. ( )nioiis, .82-87. cultivation, 83, 84 fertilizers for, 87. harvesting, 85. planting, 84. .sets, 85. INDEX 101 ( )nions, soil for, S2. varieties, 87. Packing, 49-52. crates and baskets, 50, 52. Parsnips, 88. Pea, 88-90. fertilizers for, 89. harvesting, 89, 90. planting, 89. soil, 88. varieties, 89. Perennials, 36. Phosphoric Acid, 14. Planting, 28. Ploughing, 5. under, 17. Pota.sh, 14. Radish, 90, 91. planting, 91. marketing, 91. seed, 90. Rhubarb, 91, 92. fertilizers, 92. forcing, 92. harvesting, 92. planting, 91. propagation, Oi. soils, 91. Rock phosphate, 14. Root crops, 43. Salsify, 88. Seed, 24-29. germination of, 25. planting, 28. quality of, 24. selection of, 24. Seed, sowing, 28. testing, 25, 27. viability of, 24. Seed beds, 27, 28. Seed drill, 7, 8, 42. Seedlings, 25, 26. transplanting, 29, 30. Smoothing harrow, 7. Soil, 1, 2. acidity, 7, 8, 42. of market garden, 5. l)re]niration of, 15. Spinach, 93. Squash, 94. storing of, 94. Storage, 38, 43, .52. temperatiuT, 48. Storing, beets, 61. cabbage, 38, 45, 46, 49, 68. celery, 45, 46, 47, 71. in crates, 51. onions, 45, 46, 85. parsnii)s, 44, 88. root croi)s, 38, 43, 143. squash, 94. Sweet Corn, 95, 96. cultivation, 96. fertilizer, 95. planting, 95. varieties, 96. Thomas Slag, 14. Tools, 42. Tomatoes, 96-98. fertilizers for, 98. harvesting, 98. planting, 96. soil for 96. 102 INDEX Tomatoes, training, 9S. Transplanting, 29, 30, 31. 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