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 MAKING SPECIAL 
 CROPS PAY 
 
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 The Phelps Publishing Company 
 
 NewYork Springfield Mass. ChicaSo 
 
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Fine Celery Boxed for Exhibition 
 
 Celery is a special crop that brings much profit to those who 
 have suitable soil and have learned how to grow and market 
 it. It needs rich, moist ground, and thrives particularly well 
 in reclaimed swamps and on peaty or mucky bottoms. Much 
 hand labor is required in growing, blanching and preparing 
 the crop for market, but well-grown, well-blanched, crisp, solid, 
 tender heads always command a good price. Celery is essen- 
 tially a crop for the skillful grower 
 

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MAKING 
 SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 By 
 DELBERT UTTER 
 
 The author is a very successful Wisconsin farmer who formerly 
 conducted a general farm, with grain the chief crop. He 
 saw the need of growing other crops to increase the 
 income, and from a >mall beginning with a half- 
 acre of sweet com, he has built up a large 
 business growing a few special crops 
 for a market 20 miles away 
 
 THE PHELPS PUBLISHING COMPANY 
 
 SPRINGFIELD. MASSACHUSETTS 
 
 1913 
 

 Copyright, 1913 
 
 Phelps Publishing Company 
 
 Springfield, Mass. 
 
 FEB 3 1914 
 
 ©CI.Aa62433 
 ♦MS/ 
 
Table of Gontents 
 
 PAGE 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 Introductory Remarks by the Author 1 
 
 CHAPTER n 
 Growing Truck Crops for Profit 3 
 
 CHAPTER HI 
 Maintaining Plant Food Supply 13 
 
 CHAPTER IV 
 Making Money From Cantaloupes 25 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 Strawberries for Every Garden 32 
 
 CHAPTER VI 
 The Succulent Sweet Corn 38 
 
 CHAPTER VII 
 Some Special Crops 43 
 
 CHAPTER VIII 
 Shall We Irrigate? 48 
 
 CHAPTER IX 
 Reclaim the Marsh Lands 55 
 
 CHAPTER X 
 Costs and Profits 57 
 
CHAPTER I 
 
 Introductory Remarks by the Tluthor 
 
 Looking for the "pot of gold" at the foot of the 
 rainbow, we often fail to grasp opportunities that lie 
 within the easy reach of our hands. 
 
 Among us farmers this foot of the rainbow some- 
 times seems to rest in the Everglades of Florida ; again 
 in the Panhandle of Texas ; still again in the orchard 
 country of the irrigated districts of the mountain 
 regions or in the great Northwest, where wheat is 
 grown by the section, instead of by the acre. 
 
 Many of our farmers are moving to these lands of 
 promise, or are sending their good money there for in- 
 vestment Alluring announcements of agents who are 
 promoting the sale of lands owned by speculators paint 
 word pictures that coax the money away from many 
 who are anxious to better their financial condition. 
 
 I do not question that good opportunities are to 
 be found in the West, providing good judgment is used 
 in selecting the right kind of soil, in the right place. 
 However, too many times the buyer finds out, when it 
 is too late, that the promoter, not the investor, is hold- 
 ing the pot of gold. 
 
 The same investment in developing the waste 
 acres of our home farms by the young farmers who are 
 looking for a new country might often make a greater 
 profit, at the same time allowing the farmers to remain 
 in a country where social and educational conditions 
 are established and favorable. Their sons and daugh- 
 ters would enjoy advantages that will be possible only 
 for the second generation in a new country. 
 
 The waste acres to which I refer may be acres on 
 
I MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 the average farm that can be made more productive by 
 more intensive methods of cultivation, or by breeding 
 a better grade of Hve stock. "Feiver acres and more 
 per acre" is a good motto to hang on the wall. 
 
 Extensive farming has always best suited the 
 American farmer. He has inclined toward big fields, 
 sulky plows and riding cultivators, and he is slow in 
 adopting new methods, or in growing other than staple 
 crops. 
 
 However, the farmers' sons of today realize that 
 the opportunities of acquiring large farms are few and 
 far between, and that if they wish to remain on the 
 land and prosper they must adopt some system of small 
 crop farming. 
 
 Many years ago, through the division of the home 
 farm, I came into possession of 80 acres, after having 
 been trained in growing grain and breeding sheep for 
 wool production. I was forced to adopt intensive 
 methods, and grow crops that would produce more in- 
 come than ordinary farm crops. 
 
 My soil being well adapted to producing early 
 potatoes and sweet corn, I began in a small way to 
 grow a few acres of each as a side line. After a few 
 years the truck crops were the headliners, the dairy and 
 other crops becoming of secondary importance. 
 
 There are today many young men in the farm 
 homes of the middle west who are in the same position 
 that I was in 40 years ago. To them I trust my experi- 
 ence will be of interest and value. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
 Growing Truck Grops for Profit 
 
 Truck farming is a business to grow into, not sim- 
 ply to "go into." The truck farmer, growing his great 
 variety of garden crops, must acquire more knowledge 
 and give his crops more care and attention than does 
 the general farmer who plants only staple crops. Suc- 
 cess depends primarily upon location. The profitable 
 truck farm must be near a good market, or where the 
 best of shipping facilities can be secured. 
 
 IDEAL SOIL FOR TRUCK GROWING 
 
 The ideal truck soil is a mellow, sandy loam, lying 
 nearly level. Under such conditions cultivation is more 
 effective and there is little loss of fertility and washing 
 out or covering of plants during heavy rains. A liberal 
 amount of fertility must be applied. A large portion 
 of this should be stable manure, since it is of the utmost 
 importance that the soil be supplied with a large amount 
 of organic matter to keep it in the proper mechanical 
 condition. 
 
 HUMUS FOR THE SOIL 
 
 When the land is cropped every year, as it must 
 be in growing vegetables, conditions are different than 
 when a rotation is followed, as in general farming. 
 Humus or decaying vegetable matter must be supplied, 
 both by the use of stable manure and by growing cover 
 crops. When possible, it is best to grow for this pur- 
 pose leguminous crops — clover, cowpeas, soy beans, 
 vetches — which will add fertility to the soil by taking 
 
4 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 nitrogen from the air. Decomposition is more rapid 
 in sandy soils than in heavier soils. There is, there- 
 fore, a greater loss of soil fertility unless we keep a 
 crop growing continuously during the growing season. 
 
 It is often said that any fertile soil will produce 
 good garden crops. This may be true to the extent of 
 growing vegetables for family use, but to succeed in 
 market gardening a garden soil must be selected. 
 
 For early vegetables and for tomatoes and melons, 
 a rich sandy loam, with a porous subsoil that is under- 
 laid with a bed of clay at a depth of five or six feet, 
 is ideal. An abundance of manure must be supplied 
 to provide humus as well as the necessary elements of 
 fertility. Such a soil, handled with intelligence, will 
 be in the best condition to make use of the plant food, 
 moisture, heat and air that work together to produce a 
 good crop. 
 
 For the late crops and for cabbage, cauliflower and 
 celery, a dark-colored loam soil should be selected. 
 Much of the reclaimed swamp land makes the very 
 best place to grow these crops. 
 
 When we say a place is suitable for growing vege- 
 tables, we mean particularly that the physical condi- 
 tions are good. When well drained such soil as above 
 described is capable of conserving the proper amount 
 of moisture, and when well cultivated will admit the 
 needed amount of heat. Vegetables will then grow 
 that are of good form and quality. 
 
 All soils with a retentive subsoil should be tile- 
 drained, the work being perfectly planned and exe- 
 cuted. Should water stand for even a few hours on 
 the land, a season's crop may be lost. Soil that is well 
 drained allows heat and air to penetrate to a greater 
 depth and withstands drought better than when drain- 
 age is lacking or imperfect. 
 
GROWING TRUCK CROPS FOR PROFIT D 
 
 PREPARATION OF THE SOIL 
 
 The ground should be thoroughly cultivated before 
 planting. Disk before plowing, thereby mixing manure 
 with the soil, then plow as deep as the nature of soil 
 will permit. Follow this with the leveler, disk, roller 
 and smoothing harrow, until the soil is in the finest 
 tilth and so firm that a horse will sink only to half the 
 depth of his hoofs. 
 
 USE OF FERTILIZERS 
 
 While we may apply the most liberal amount of 
 fertility in the form of manure, yet, early in the season, 
 before there is enough heat to unlock and make avail- 
 able the elements of fertility already in the soil, the 
 plants make little growth. An application of some kind 
 of soluble nitrogen may be needed at this time to give 
 the plant a good start. Nitrate of soda used at this 
 period at the rate of 100 to 200 pounds to the acre will 
 prove very beneficial. Potash also very often can be 
 used profitably for crops that take a large amount of 
 that element. 
 
 Success in market gardening depends upon keep- 
 ing the soil supplied with an abundance of plant food. 
 
 SEED SELECTION IS IMPORTANT 
 
 No seed but the very best is profitable. Grow the 
 varieties that mature perfectly on your own ground 
 and purchase others from dealers and growers that 
 have a reputation for reliability. 
 
 No gardener should risk his crop without testing 
 his seed, unless he has implicit confidence in the source 
 from which it came. Seeds of all vine crops are better 
 if not used until the second or third season after sav- 
 ing. Such seed can be tried for quality by purchasing 
 
b MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 enough for two seasons, planting a part of the crop 
 from new seed and noting results. 
 
 The price of seed is of the least importance, yet 
 a high-priced seed does not necessarily signify good 
 quality. A single pound of seed sometimes produces 
 $1,000 worth of produce; consequently it means every- 
 thing to have the best seeds. 
 
 CULTIVATION FOR CROP GROWTH 
 
 Cultivation should be frequent and thorough. 
 Begin as soon as possible after planting. Shallow work 
 after plants have made much root growth should be 
 insisted upon, using an attachment on the cultivator to 
 adjust it at the proper depth, which should not exceed 
 two inches. The tools used should be the best of their 
 kind and should be kept bright and sharp. A file should 
 be carried to the field and cultivator and hoes sharpened 
 often. The necessary tools are a steel plow, disk, fine- 
 tooth harrow, leveler, roller, horse weeder and culti- 
 vator, wheel and hand hoes, adjustable marker, seeder, 
 planter, rakes, spade and spading fork. 
 
 SOME PROFIT-PAYING VARIETIES 
 
 Choose your varieties according to the demand of 
 the market in which you sell your products, at the same 
 time considering their adaptability to your soil and 
 their yielding capacity. It is better to cater to the tastes 
 of your customers than to try to educate their tastes 
 to the kinds you may think are best. 
 
 No list of varieties can be recommended for all 
 markets and all localities, yet there are standard varie- 
 ties that yield well and are popular in most markets. 
 The partial list given here has proved good in my own 
 gardens, or in the gardens of growers with whom I am 
 acquainted. 
 
GROWING TRUCK CROPS FOR PROFIT 7 
 
 Asparagus : Palmetto and Early Argenteuil. 
 
 Bush beans: Golden Wax, Curriers' Rust-Proof 
 Wax, Stringless Green Pod. Refugee. 
 
 Lima beans : Siebert's Early, for pole ; Thorburn's 
 Bush Lima. 
 
 Cabbage: Early Jersey Wakefield, Premium Flat 
 Dutch, Mammoth Rock Red, Danish Ball Head. 
 
 Beets : Egyptian, Early Blood Turnip, Eclipse. 
 
 Cauliflower : Extra Early Erfurt, Early Snowball. 
 
 Carrots : Half Short Oxheart. Half Long Danvers. 
 
 Celery : Improved White Plume, Golden Self- 
 Blanching, Giant Golden Heart. 
 
 Sweet corn: Golden Bantam, Mammoth White 
 Cory, Prenio, Country Gentleman, Chicago Market, 
 Crosby, Early Evergreen, Stowell's Evergreen. 
 
 Cucumber : White Spine, Improved Long Green. 
 
 Eggplant : New York, Early Dwarf Purple. 
 
 Lettuce : Improved Hanson, Grand Rapids, Dea- 
 con, New York. 
 
 Muskmelon: Emerald Gem, Rocky Ford, Osage, 
 Tip Top. 
 
 Watermelon: Phiney's Early, Kolb's Gem, Early 
 Jumbo. 
 
 Onion : White, Early Barletta ; yellow. Globe Dan- 
 vers ; red. Large Wethersfield, Large Globe. 
 
 Peas : Extra Early Alaska, Gradus, Nott's Ex- 
 celsior, Telephone, Juno, Market Master. 
 
 Potatoes : Early Ohio, Rural New Yorker, Car- 
 man. 
 
 Squash : Giant Golden Summer, Crookneck, Hub- 
 bard. 
 
 Turnip: Early Milan Purple Crown, Red Top 
 Globe-Shaped. Purple Top White Globe. 
 
 Tomatoes : Beauty, Dwarf Stone, Dwarf Cham- 
 pion. 
 
8 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 Radish : Early Scarlet Globe, Early Scarlet Olive 
 Shaped, Improved Chartier. 
 
 MONEY MAKERS IN THE GARDEN 
 
 Along with a variety of crops, certain specialties 
 often pay well. These should be the products best 
 adapted to your soil and in best demand in )^our mar- 
 kets. The perishable vegetables and those known as 
 delicacies are the most profitable if they can be deliv- 
 ered in perfect condition. 
 
 EARLY MARKETS MOST PROFITABLE 
 
 Early stuff in the home market is what makes the 
 most profit. Make every effort therefore to forward 
 the crops to early maturity. This is accomplished by 
 preparing the soil in the best possible manner, using 
 good seed and cultivating the crop thoroughly at every 
 stage of its growth. Many crops can be forwarded by 
 starting plants in greenhouse or hotbed ; these plants 
 should be transplanted several times and well hardened 
 before planting in the open ground. 
 
 USING THE HOTBED 
 
 As soon as the seeds are planted glass is put on and 
 the bed is allowed to heat up to 100 degrees during the 
 day, and should not drop below 60 degrees at night. 
 When the plants are up, which is in about four days, 
 the sashes are raised during the hottest part of the 
 day. If half cloth sashes are used, there is less danger 
 of injury from too much heat. The cloth should be 
 treated with a coating made of boiled linseed oil and 
 eggs, mixed thoroughly, using two eggs to each pint 
 of oil. 
 
 As the plants grow, thin them so as to insure for 
 each one plenty of room for maximum growth. After 
 
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GROWING TRUCK CROPS FOR PROFIT 9 
 
 the fourth week the plants should be gradually hard- 
 ened off and when weather conditions warrant, trans- 
 planted to the field. The earth removed with the roots 
 in transplanting should be saturated with water, thus 
 enabling the plants to withstand a period of drought. 
 The ground should be plowed early in spring and 
 disked and harrowed several times at intervals of a 
 week or lo days. This preparation puts the soil in 
 the finest tilth. Make the rows six feet each way 
 and place the surface of the mat of earth or sod ad- 
 hering to the roots so that it will be covered an inch 
 deep. 
 
 SOME GOOD GARDEN TOOLS 
 
 There has been as great improvement in tools for 
 the gardener as for the farmer, with the exception that 
 the gardener usually walks. The first requisite in a 
 tool is that with it perfect work can be performed, not 
 that it has a comfortable seat and canopy top. 
 
 Seeders and planters are easily adjusted to use 
 the required amount of seed, dropping it at an even 
 depth and firming the soil so that rapid germination 
 results. The plow should throw the soil and mix it, in 
 place of turning it over completely. The disk is the 
 most important tool for preparing the soil for a crop. 
 It is a pulverizer and a mixer, working the soil into 
 proper condition for good germination and mixing the 
 manure thoroughly. By its use the plant food is well 
 prepared for the use of the young plants. 
 
 The leveler, roller and smoothing harrow are used 
 as finishers. The harrow and horse weeder are used to 
 kill the weeds and form a dust mulch on crops that will 
 stand the treatment and until the plants have made con- 
 siderable growth. How much and how long the weeder 
 may be used depends on condition of soil and plants. 
 
10 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 Follow the cultivator with the weeder ; this levels the 
 ground and breaks up the space left by the cultivator. 
 Success in using this tool depends on using it before 
 weeds have made their appearance above ground, 
 
 A steel frame horse cultivator with seven teeth, 
 each 154 inches wide, is useful when plants are small. 
 It is made with adjustments for gauging the depth and 
 does .excellent work. There are also hoe attachments 
 and sweeps, which are used later in the season for shal- 
 low cultivation. Thorough work is assured if the tool 
 is in the hands of a competent man. Proper adjustment 
 has much to do with the efficiency of these implements. 
 
 Such smaller tools as the wheel hoe, spade, rake 
 and hand hoe, with horse and hand markers, about 
 complete the list of tools required, except special tools 
 for special crops. Less work is performed with the 
 hand hoe than formerly, yet it has its place, and it 
 should be kept bright and sharp. 
 
 HARVESTING AND MARKETING 
 
 Successful production avails but little unless the 
 crop is properly harvested and profitably marketed. 
 Perishable products must be prepared for market and 
 sold just as soon as they are fit. Secure enough help 
 to keep up with the work, if possible, so that no over- 
 ripe stock will be left on hand. 
 
 In delivering to a nearby market, return crates 
 may be used. Much of our produce, however, is sold 
 in gift packages. It pays to use the style of crate most 
 popular in the market to which you ship. Your name 
 on crates should be a trademark that means good qual- 
 ity, just as good at the bottom as at the top. Some 
 growers place a card in the package in such position 
 as to be easily seen, bearing some such message as, 
 "U see one, U see all." This pays handsomely in the 
 
GROWING TRUCK CROPS FOR PROFIT 11 
 
 end, providing it is always true. It costs time and 
 money to acquire a reputation for fair dealing, and 
 after once acquired it pays to live up to it. 
 
 Blight and insect crop pests keep the gardener on 
 the edge of despair. To see a crop destroyed after in- 
 curring the expense of growing it until nearly ready 
 for market is, to say the least, discouraging. Each 
 y€ar adds to our long list of troubles before we have 
 learned to overcome the old ones. From all the ex- 
 periments with sprays and insecticides and the scores 
 of bulletins written upon these subjects, the gardener 
 has gained little aid that is new during the last decade. 
 The orchardist has fared better, for spraying is his 
 salvation. 
 
 Insects and worms that eat are easily poisoned 
 with paris green, and I know of no better treatment. 
 Those that suck the sap of plants are, of course, not 
 affected by poison. Their control presents a serious 
 problem. These suckers in the garden abound like the 
 human variety of the same species when a glib-tongued 
 mining stock agent comes to town. They can only be 
 scared off — you cannot kill them. Make them uncom- 
 fortable by tangling their legs with land plaster, road 
 dust or coal ashes. Sulphur, tobacco, kerosene — some- 
 thing that has a disagreeable odor — will also hinder 
 their ravages. Carbon bisulphid is being used to ex- 
 terminate the worms and insects that work under- 
 ground. 
 
 The remedies recommended for blight and fun- 
 gous diseases contain copper sulphate in combination 
 with quicklime, ammonia, or caustic soda, and are used 
 to protect the plant from the attack of the various dis- 
 eases. It is applied as a preventive, and the foliage 
 must be kept covered continually with the solution. 
 This demands eternal vigilance. The time may be near 
 when it will be as necessary for the gardener to spray 
 
12 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 as thoroughly as does the successful orchardist at tlie 
 present time. 
 
 It is best first to experiment in a small way so as 
 to become familiar with the methods of mixing and 
 applying these fungicides and watch results. From my 
 own experience, and from what I have learned from 
 the experience of others, I believe that much may be 
 accomplished to prevent the ravages of these pests by 
 practicing a regular rotation of crops, using all the 
 fertility possible, using only the best seed and strong- 
 est plants, and giving the very best culture. The 
 weakest plants, like weak and badly nourished animals, 
 are usually the first to succumb to disease. 
 
 THE MAN BEHIND THE HOE 
 
 Granting all desired in the way of soil, favor- 
 able location, good seed and best methods of culture, 
 success still depends upon the man. The successful 
 market gardener must be a business man. He must 
 be alive to the possibilities of his occupation, ready to 
 take advantage of every opportunity possible to in- 
 crease his sales. By correspondence, use of the tele- 
 phone and personal inquiry, he must be able to place 
 his products where he will receive the best price. 
 
 He must be able to handle men, for he must em- 
 ploy much help. The proper management of labor is 
 very essential. He needs to be a hustler, for his crops 
 must be marketed at the right time and at the right 
 place. The best customers will expect prompt delivery 
 and will insist that the product be in good condition. 
 Regular customers can be held only by fair dealing. 
 They want prompt delivery of the best that can be 
 grown, put up in an attractive manner and so good that 
 the consumer will think that no other grower can fur- 
 nish Droducts of quite as good quality. 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
 Maintaining Plant Pood Supply 
 
 Ev-ery successful market gardener fully under- 
 stands that he must provide and apply a much greater 
 amount of stable manure and commercial fertilizer 
 than does the grain farmer. A rotation of crops cannot 
 be practiced so completely as in general farming. The 
 humus content of the soil, therefore, must be kept up 
 by the use of stable manure and cover crops. 
 
 During my early experience in growing truck 
 crops I found that I was obliged to apply what seemed 
 to me at that time an extravagant amount of manure 
 to produce a large crop and insure early maturity. I 
 also noted that the market gardeners located near my 
 market city and owning 20 or more acres kept a team 
 hauling manure from the city stables nearly every day 
 during a good portion of the year. 
 
 At this time we knew very little about commercial 
 fertilizers and cared less, as stable manure could be 
 procured free by the gardeners living near the city, and 
 often they were paid for carting it away. 
 
 My farm is located 20 miles from the city, and as 
 I was keeping a herd of dairy cows, I used all the 
 manure they produced on the few acres of truck crops. 
 I soon became convinced that I was robbing three acres 
 of my farm to provide fertilizer for one. I was doing 
 what many farmers were doing and are doing now — 
 taking what belongs to all the acres to grow a few 
 acres of tobacco, sugar beets, potatoes and other special 
 money crops that leave no residue to furnish plant food 
 or humus. 
 
 T increased my truck acreage year by year and 
 
 18 
 
14 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 was soon obliged to purchase stable refuse and stock 
 yard manure from Chicago and the sheep-feeding yards 
 at the feeding stations. For a few years I was able 
 to procure first-class material for the nominal price of 
 loading the cars and a low flat freight rate. Even with 
 a two-mile haul from the station I was well satisfied, 
 as I was able to procure my supply during the season 
 the teams were idle. 
 
 These conditions soon changed, however. Prices 
 doubled, delivery became uncertain, and I was obliged 
 to supplement my supply of farm manure with com- 
 mercial fertilizers. I had been experimenting in a small 
 way with several brands of fertilizers. I had been led 
 to believe that some particular brand, named, perhaps, 
 the "Red Chief" or the "Three Star," contained some 
 element of mysterious power and virtue. 
 
 However, I began to study soil conditions on my 
 own farm and also learned something about plant food. 
 I learned that to get best results from the use of fer- 
 tilizers I must keep up the humus content in the soil. 
 I also learned that it was quite as necessary to furnish 
 a well-balanced plant food for the best growth and 
 maturity of my crops as it was for the dairyman to 
 furnish his cows with a well-balanced ration. 
 
 I learned also that there are three elements used 
 to make up a complete fertilizer, namely, nitrogen, 
 phosphoric acid, and potash, and that the value of a ton 
 of commercial fertilizer depends upon the number of 
 pounds of these several elements it contains. 
 
 HIGH-GRADE FERTILIZERS THE CHEAPEST 
 
 A low-grade fertilizer can be sold at an exorbitant 
 price per pound for the plant food contained, and yet 
 sold at a less price per ton than a high-grade fertilizer 
 which is sold at a low price per pound for the plant 
 
MAINTAINING PLANT FOOD SUPPLY 15 
 
 food contained. This low price per ton catches the eye 
 of many farmers. 
 
 It would be just as sensible to go to the grocer 
 and have him make vinegar half water and then pay 
 for the mixture three-fourths the price of strong 
 vinegar as to buy the average low-grade fertilizer. The 
 economical thing to do is to buy high-grade fertilizer 
 and use less per acre. 
 
 To those who have used fertilizers extensively in 
 growing truck crops this advice may seem superfluous. 
 However, far too much is being paid in freight bills 
 for worthless filler and the extra labor in hauling and 
 distributing these materials after they are delivered at 
 the railway station. After several years of experience, 
 my practice in using fertilizer has resolved itself into the 
 use of a certain number of pounds of nitrogen, phos- 
 phoric acid and potash per acre. The amount depends 
 on the crop to which it is applied, the condition of the 
 soil and the amount of stable manure used in connection 
 with it. 
 
 As to the amount applied per acre, my rule is very 
 much like the reply of a successful gardener who was 
 asked how much stable manure he applied to his crops. 
 "I use all I can save, buy, beg or borrow," he said. 
 
 I apply all that I can afiford to buy. My fields have 
 a dressing of stable manure once in three years, and 
 my standard for fertilizing is 150 pounds nitrate of 
 soda, 700 pounds 14 per cent acid phosphate, and 200 
 pounds muriate of potash per acre. More potash is 
 applied to the potato crop than to corn. The amount 
 of phosphoric acid and potash is cut to half for melons, 
 depending on the residual efifect from the preceding year 
 to furnish part of the plant food. I believe this practice 
 insures fruit of firmer texture and higher quality than 
 is possible when large applications of manure and 
 fertilizers are used during the season of planting. 
 
16 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 VEGETABLE MATTER FIRST SOIL NEED 
 
 Owing to the nitrogen it contains, humus is of 
 great value to soils chemically. Under a slow process 
 of decomposition the nitrogen is continually converted 
 into an available state, and this furnishes the plants 
 with one of the most important plant foods. Humus is 
 of value because it enables soils to hold moisture. A 
 soil with a high percentage of humus is able to absorb, 
 retain and eventually supply the plants with more 
 moisture than can a similar soil containing a lower per- 
 centage of humus. Humus also improves the mechan- 
 ical condition of heavy soils, making them more friable 
 and easier to cultivate. 
 
 The problem of supplying enough organic matter 
 to provide humus has kept me busy. As I am unable 
 to grow legumes for a cover crop, I have to depend 
 upon rye and oats. I try to grow some cover crop 
 after all early harvested crops and to sow rye between 
 the rows of corn at time of last cultivation. 
 
 With the stable manure made on the place I have 
 been able to keep my soil in good physical condition. 
 Where cowpeas or other legume crops can be grown 
 nitrogen can be secured, as this class of plants has the 
 property of taking nitrogen from the air and storing 
 it in the roots of the plants, where it becomes available 
 plant food for succeeding crops. 
 
 I hear many farmers say that commercial ferti- 
 lizers injure the soil. This is true to the extent that 
 any system of culture that does not provide for the 
 keeping up of the supply of humus causes injury to the 
 soil. The first principle in successful agriculture is to 
 provide organic matter in some form to keep up the 
 humus supply to a point that the soil is in a good 
 physical condition. 
 
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MAINTAINING PLANT FOOD SUPPLN' 17 
 
 WHAT ANALYSIS TELLS US 
 
 The idea that the chemical analysis of soil gives 
 an accurate showing as to its needs for fertilization 
 has long since been shown by scientists to be far from 
 true. 
 
 The chemist is able to tell us the amount of nitro- 
 gen, phosphorus and potassium our soil contains, but he 
 cannot tell us how much of these several elements are 
 in an available condition for plant food. Cons^equently. 
 we can learn what our individual soil needs only by 
 field tests. 
 
 Science and general experience teach us that the 
 only reliable method by which we can ascertain the 
 needs of a soil is carrying out suitable practical manu- 
 rial experiments. By making the latter as simple and 
 exact as possible, the farmer is sure to attain the de- 
 sired knowledge regarding his soil within a reasonable 
 time and will thus receive ample reward for his trouble. 
 
 A good experiment field, embodying five plots, of 
 equal size, is suitable. These plots should be separated 
 by paths four feet wide in order to prevent roots of the 
 plants of one plot from feeding on the fertilizer sup- 
 plied to the adjoining plot. All of the plots must be 
 treated alike in every respect, except with regard to the 
 amount and kind of fertilizer applied. It is best to 
 have the plots long and narrow, because they will thus 
 average up for unevenness of soil. Arrange them so 
 that practically the same number of plants are grown 
 on each. 
 
 The size of the plots must depend somewhat on 
 local conditions and the kind of crop to be grown. A 
 very convenient size is 1-10 of an acre. A strip 93 1-3 
 feet long by 46 2-3 feet wide represents 1-10 acre in 
 convenient shape. However, it may be best to arrange 
 
18 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 differently i£ the above size is not convenient. Each 
 plot should be numbered separately. 
 
 PLAN FOR FERTILIZER TEST 
 
 The fertilizing of the individual plots would be as 
 follows : 
 
 Plot 1, unfertilized. 
 
 Plot 2, nitrogen, potash, phosphoric acid, complete 
 fertilizing. 
 
 Plot 3, nitrogen, phosphoric acid, without potash. 
 
 Plot 4, nitrogen, potash, without phosphoric acid. 
 
 Plot 5, potash, phosphoric acid, without nitrogen. 
 
 If it is desired to determine the effect of lime 
 applied along with the other manurial constituents, we 
 must include a sixth plot and give it an application of 
 lime in addition to a complete fertilizing. 
 
 FIVE PLOTS, EACH 1-10 ACRE IN SIZE 
 
 (93 1-3 X 46 2-3 feet) 
 
 No fertilizer 
 
 1 
 
 50 pounds acid phosphate (14%) 
 20 pounds muriate of potash 
 20 pounds nitrate of soda 
 
 2 
 
 50 pounds acid phosphate (14%) 
 20 pounds nitrate of soda 
 
 3 
 
 20 pounds muriate of potash 
 20 pounds nitrate of soda 
 
 4 
 
 50 pounds phosphoric acid 
 20 pounds muriate of potash 
 
 5 
 
MAINTAINING PLANT FOOD SUPPLY 19 
 
 SOURCES OF FERTILIZING^ MATERIAL 
 
 There still remains, however, the question of the 
 most economical source of fertilizing materials. There 
 is more range in the choice of nitrogen supply than in 
 the other two elements, and I am naming tliose that are 
 in most common use. 
 
 Nitrogen may be derived, in the form of ammonia, 
 from nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, cyanamid 
 and tankage. Nitrate of soda is obtained from the dry 
 plateau regions of Chile. It occurs as an impure min- 
 eral called "Caliche." This mineral is ground and dis- 
 solved in boiling water, the impure minerals extracted 
 and separated out. As put upon the market it is 95 to 
 96 per cent pure and contains about 16 per cent, 
 nitrogen. 
 
 Nitrate of soda is the most immediately available 
 of all nitrogen fertilizers for growing early crops and 
 serves directly as a plant food. It acts more rapidly 
 than nitrogenous manures of organic origin, as these 
 latter are dependent upon undergoing decomposition 
 and nitrification. 
 
 SULPHATE OF AMMONIA 
 
 Ammonium sulphate contains about 20 per cent 
 nitrogen and is obtained as a by-product in the manu- 
 facture of coke and coal gas. It is soluble in water 
 and stands next to nitrate of soda in ease of solubility. 
 
 CYANAMID 
 
 Cyanamid is a comparatively new product that bids 
 fair to become popular as a nitrogenous fertilizer ma- 
 terial. Cyanamid is the invention of two German 
 chemists and the process of manufacture consists in 
 artificially fixing atmospheric nitrogen. The manufac- 
 
20 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 ture of cyanamid depends upon the simple chemical 
 fact that calcium carbide at a white heat absorbs atmos- 
 pheric nitrogen and becomes calcium cyanamid. 
 
 Nitrogen is separated from the oxygen in the air 
 by liquefying the air, and then allowing only pure 
 nitrogen to evaporate, leaving the oxygen in the liquid. 
 The carbide is placed in ovens heated by electricity to 
 a white heat, and the nitrogen is pumped into the ovens, 
 and is there sucked up by the carbide, forming calcium 
 cyanamid. 
 
 The crude material is ground and put through a 
 mechanical process of granulation. It is bluish black 
 in color, and analyzes 18 to 19 per cent nitrogen. 
 Cyanamid dissolves very readily in the soil water solu- 
 tion, and the nature of its decomposition places it in 
 the same class as the organic fertilizers. Wherever a 
 slow, steady growth is desired this material will pro- 
 duce satisfactory results. 
 
 The air being composed of four-fifths nitrogen, 
 and electric power derived from the big waterfalls of 
 Niagara and other rivers being inexhaustible, the pro- 
 duction of nitrogen in the form of cyanamid is practi- 
 cally unlimited. 
 
 TANKAGE 
 
 Tankage is a packing house product. The refuse 
 parts of the carcass are put in tanks and cooked by 
 steam to extract the grease. The remaining scrap is 
 pressed and dried. It may contain 4 to 9 per cent 
 nitrogen and a small per cent of phosphoric acid. 
 
 The large packing house companies have fertilizer 
 departments, and they use most of their tankage in 
 manufacturing mixed fertiliz.ers. 
 
 PHOSPHORIC ACID 
 
 Sufficient raw material for the manufacture of 
 
MAINTAINING PLANT FOOD SUPPLY 21 
 
 this exists in tlie phosphatic rocks distributed through- 
 out the states of South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, 
 Utah, Idaho and Wyoming to last, it is estimated, for 
 centuries. The deposits vary in thickness from one to 
 20 feet and average from 20 to 40 per cent phosphoric 
 acid. Raw phosphate rock ground to a fine powder is 
 called "floats." Floats are sometimes applied to the soil 
 with good results when rotation of crops is practiced, 
 as in general stock farming, but have no place in grow- 
 ing truck crops. 
 
 SUPERPHOSPHATES 
 
 Phosphate rock acidulated with sulphuric acid 
 forms superphosphate, or soluble phosphates. The 
 rock is ground to a fine powder and mixed with an 
 equal amount of sulphuric acid, which changes th^ in- 
 soluble phosphoric acid to the soluble form. Super- 
 phosphate is a term applied to any material containing 
 soluble phosphoric acid as its chief constituent. Solu- 
 ble phosphoric acid readily distributes itself in the soil 
 and goes to the roots of plants. 
 
 It should be remembered that phosphoric acid is 
 not washed from the soil, though in a soluble form, 
 since it is finally "fixed" by coming in contact with 
 lime, iron, and other mineral substances usually present 
 in good soils. Acid phosphate, made by treating phos- 
 phate rock with sulphuric acid, contains from 14 to 16 
 per cent available phosphoric acid. 
 
 Other sources of phosphate are raw and steamed 
 bone, which is ground and usually used in the natural 
 state, and is sometimes preferred to other forms of 
 phosphates by orchardists. Bone black is the spent 
 bone black from sugar refineries. It is usually acidu- 
 lated and used by fertilizer factories. 
 
22 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 THOMAS PHOSPHATE POWDER 
 
 This product, sometimes called Thomas slag, is a 
 by-product of the basic process of refining steel. It 
 contains 16 to 18 per cent phosphoric acid and is in 
 combination with four parts lime. This form of phos- 
 phate is said to be very beneficial on soils inclined to be 
 sour. It is a by-product of the furnaces of Europe, 
 therefore it can be used to best advantage by farmers 
 living near the coast. 
 
 Scientists tell us that soluble acid phosphate is of 
 the same value as a plant food whatever may be its 
 source. Therefore the farmer makes no mistake when 
 he buys any phosphate on a basis of the per cent of 
 available phosphoric acid it contains. 
 
 POTASH 
 
 The only modern source of potash is the German 
 deposits. The United States government, through the 
 Geological Survey and the Department of Agriculture, 
 is making a systematic search over several of the 
 western states in order to discover possible sources of 
 this substance. Whether or not any commercial sources 
 are opened in America, we need have no fear of 
 scarcity, as an ample supply is assured for generations 
 to come from the inexhaustible deposits of potash salts 
 in Germany. 
 
 The most important of the potash salts are sul- 
 phate of potash, muriate of potash, and kainit. The 
 former two contain about 50 per cent pure potash and 
 kainit about 12j^ per cent. 
 
 Sulphate of potash is best for tobacco, potatoes, 
 sugar beets and some other specialties. Muriate of 
 potash is somewhat cheaper than the sulphate and is 
 useful for most crops, and is most generally used in 
 
MAINTAINING PLANT FOOD SUPPLY 23 
 
 mixed fertilizers. Kainit in addition to its effect as a 
 potash fertilizer is useful in killing grub worms, cut- 
 worms and other insects living in the soil and is a 
 remedy against many plant blights. 
 
 Wood ashes are also a source of potash, containing 
 from 2 to 7 per cent pure potash. Their composition 
 is varied and uncertain and the supply very limited. 
 
 LIME 
 
 The frequent need for lime should not be over- 
 looked. Lime is especially useful to some soils. It 
 corrects acidity, promotes the formation of nitrates 
 and aids in improving the physical condition of soil. 
 Soil that turns blue litmus paper red when applied 
 moist is sour and needs lime. Lime in some form is 
 the corrective. The litmus paper test costs but a nickel. 
 
 HOW TO APPLY FERTILIZERS 
 
 Fertilizers and fertilizer materials — that is, chemi- 
 cals containing nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash — 
 are applied broadcast to be harrowed or plowed under, 
 as top dressing, in the hill, or with the drill. Each 
 method has its preference in certain cases. 
 
 Applying fertilizer in the hill is the least effective 
 in yields, although striking in forcing early growth. 
 For truck growing and when heavy applications of fer- 
 tilizers are to be made, there can be no question that 
 the best method is to apply broadcast, and work it well 
 into the soil with a harrow or disk. 
 
 When unmixed fertilizers are used, it is best to 
 apply the mineral fertilizers — that is, those containing 
 phosphoric acid and potash — previous to planting. In 
 this case there will he time for them to become well 
 mixed with the soil. Materials containing nitrogen are 
 
24 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 used at the time of planting or soon afterwards as a 
 top dressing. 
 
 FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTORS 
 
 As is well known to all users of commercial fer- 
 tilizer and lime, it has been extremely difficult to obtain 
 a fertilizer distributor that would evenly and in deiinite 
 amounts distribute these materials under all conditions. 
 
 The truck grower demands a distributor that will 
 drill or broadcast lime, mixed fertilizer, acid phosphate, 
 potash, kainit, nitrate of soda, or any other kind of 
 fertihzer at the rate of from 100 pounds to one ton 
 to the acre. He demands a distributor made of the best 
 material, provided with large hopper capacity, with 
 low-down construction to enable easy filling of the hop- 
 per. The wheels should have a wide tire and the dis- 
 charge opening should be within a foot of the ground. 
 The material as it falls should scatter evenly, and a 
 shield should be provided to prevent interference of 
 the wind. Several manufacturers have placed upon the 
 market machines with special features which have 
 proved very satisfactory to the purchasers. 
 
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CHAPTER IV 
 Making Money from Gantaloupes 
 
 No fruit grown is in greater demand and none is 
 deemed a greater luxury as a breakfast delicacy than a 
 perfect cantaloupe. No fruit or vegetable in our mar- 
 ket is so difficult to obtain in perfect condition as to 
 quality and ripeness. 
 
 Like the strawberry, the cantaloupe deteriorates 
 very rapidly after being taken from the vine. The local 
 grower is able to place his product on the market so 
 that it will reach the consumer within 48 hours from 
 the time it is picked. He, therefore, has the advantage 
 of the grower who is far from market and must harvest 
 his crop before it is ripe in order to ship it hundreds 
 and sometimes thousands of miles. 
 
 It is generally supposed that the cantaloupe grows 
 best in southern latitudes, where climatic conditions 
 are naturally most favorable. While this is true to a 
 degree, it is also true that the best cantaloupes in this 
 country and in Europe ,are produced by artificial forc- 
 ing or forwarding, making use of the greenhouse, hot- 
 bed or cold frame. 
 
 I have prefaced to this extent that you may accept 
 without prejudice the statement that I grow as good 
 cantaloupes in Wisconsin as are grown anywhere. I 
 will try to tell you how I do it and how I established a 
 reputation for growing the best, that others may suc- 
 ceed as well. 
 
 GOOD \ARIETY ESSENTIAL TO PROFIT 
 
 My success became possible when I acquired a 
 variety of local origin that has more than a local repu- 
 
 25 
 
26 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 tation. Epicures, as well as the ordinary consumer 
 who simply likes something good to eat, pronounce it 
 perfect in flavor. 
 
 For a few years after this melon was introduced 
 it was kept in the hands of a few growers who, like 
 all monopolists, adopted all manner of schemes to keep 
 a good thing to themselves. At present, however, its 
 distribution is quite general. 
 
 Several growers have, by selection, obtained 
 superior strains of the variety, yet the general type 
 remains the same. In size, shape and color, it resem- 
 bles the Tip Top, being light green, slightly ribbed and 
 well netted. It has a very thick meat of salmon color, 
 very fine in texture. It will not stand long shipment, a 
 characteristic of most delicately flavored fruits. In this 
 respect, the local grower has a big point in his favor. 
 
 The second factor in my success was in overcom- 
 ing the handicap of a short season by forwarding the 
 crop through a system of starting plants in hotbeds or 
 greenhouses. Some form of artificial heat is necessary, 
 and the hotbed is in most general use. 
 
 MAKING THE HOTBEDS 
 
 Experienced gardeners are, of course, familiar 
 with the construction of hotbeds. Many of my readers 
 that may be most interested, however, have probably 
 had but little experience. I will give, therefore, a de- 
 tailed description of my methods. Close attention to 
 details often makes the difference between success and 
 failure. While many growers use plant boxes, and 
 claim them to be superior to any other plan, I have 
 had excellent success in using sods from a sandy loam 
 soil. 
 
 My beds are made and seed planted the last week 
 in April. They are well protected from wind by 
 
MAKING MONEY FROM CANTALOUPES 27 
 
 hedges. I make the frame 6 feet wide and 60 feet long, 
 using 3x6 hotbed sash. I have three such beds which 
 will contain about 4,500 plants, and will provide 
 enough plants for four and a half to five acres. The 
 frames are 30 inches deep on the north and 24 on the 
 south side. 
 
 I use horse manure containing a large proportion 
 of litter that has been repiled and is in a well-fermented 
 condition. This is placed in the beds and packed evenly 
 about a foot deep. I am careful to have the surface 
 perfectly level when finished, because water will settle 
 in any depressions left and there will be danger of the 
 plants damping off while small or later developing 
 blight. 
 
 Sods are taken from a selected plot of a blue grass 
 pasture that has been fertilized the preceding season 
 with well-rotted stable manure, with an addition of 
 acid phosphate and potash. This is distributed evenly, 
 and in early spring is gone over with harrow or garden 
 rake. The sod is cut with sword-shaped hay knives, 
 using a 10-inch plank for a guide, each piece of sod 
 being 10 x 17 inches in area and 3y^ inches thick. They 
 are removed with a sharp spade. This is a convenient 
 size to handle, and when placed in the bed with the 
 grass side down, the bed should be as level as a floor. 
 
 After the bed is filled, each sod is cut into six 
 pieces. Six seeds are planted about an inch deep in the 
 center of each piece, using a knife or other instrument 
 to make an opening. The seed is covered and well 
 firmed with the hand. The whole bed is leveled, us- 
 ing the back of the garden rake. The bed is then well 
 watered, using a sprinkler with a fine spray. 
 
 CARE OF HOTBED 
 
 The temperature should not be lower than 60 de- 
 grees at night, and may go to 110 in the daytime while 
 
28 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 the seeds are germinating. After the plants are up, 90 
 degrees is about the maximum heat desired. The tem- 
 perature rises very rapidly from 10 o'clock until 2, and 
 the sashes should be raised, or cloth used for shade. 
 During germination, it is better to depend upon pro- 
 tection from excessive heat by shading. When the 
 plants are well up, then give them some air. 
 
 It is most important to maintain an even tempera- 
 ture as continuously as possible during germination, 
 since success depends upon an even growth of plants. 
 Plants should break through in four or five days and all 
 should be up in seven days. A moderate amount of 
 water is used, with care not to have the beds wet dur- 
 ing a period of cloudy weather. 
 
 In two weeks the plants should be thinned to four 
 to a sod and at the same time the soil should be loos- 
 ened with a hand weeder. The soil around the plant 
 is kept in a loose friable condition. Plants will make a 
 very rapid growth, and sufficient air must be given to 
 produce hardy plants. During the third or fourth 
 week part of the glass may be removed and a cloth sash 
 substituted, gradually removing all covering for a part 
 of the day until the plants are perfectly hardy. Hot- 
 house cantaloupe plants are perfectly hardened when 
 they will not wilt if left unprotected. Plants should be 
 well grown in five weeks from date of planting. 
 
 SOIL FOR THE CANTALOUPE 
 
 Cantaloupes grow best on land that is so rolling 
 that surface drainage is perfect. A sandy or gravelly 
 loam with an open subsoil is best. 
 
 Sandy soils produce cantaloupes of best quality, 
 and are in the best physical condition for the ripening 
 of the fruit. Such soils remain warm during the night, 
 and the fruit ripens more evenly than on heavier soils. 
 
MAKING MONEY FROM CANTALOUPES 29 
 
 Many of the melons in our markets show their inferi- 
 ority by the immature or flattened appearance of the 
 part of the fruit that was in contact with the ground. 
 
 I plant cantaloupes on land that has been cropped 
 with early potatoes or sweet corn the previous year 
 with cover crop of oats after the potatoes were har- 
 vested, and rye in the sweet corn at the last cultivation. 
 These crops are fertilized with a moderate application 
 of stable manure, and 1,000 pounds acid phosphate, 
 and 300 pounds muriate of potash per acre. I depend 
 on the residual effect of this liberal supply of mineral 
 fertilizers on the preceding crop to furnish most of 
 the plant food for the melon crop. I believe that a lib- 
 eral use of potash insures high quality of fruit, and 
 more even size and better keeping qualities than when 
 the potash supply is limited, 
 
 MAKING THE LAND READY 
 
 The ground is plowed early in spring and the har- 
 row used at intervals of a week or 10 days to kill weeds 
 and to conserve moisture. On my Wisconsin truck 
 farm I apply, at the time of plowing, 400 pounds acid 
 phosphate and 100 pounds sulphate of potash per acre. 
 I sow it broadcast and work it in with the disk. 
 
 If weather conditions are right, I transplant during 
 the first week in June. My field is then in fine tilth from 
 the several cultivations, and it takes but little extra work 
 to put it in condition for transplanting. The rows are 
 made six feet apart, except that one way I leave a 
 space of nine feet between each two rows. This wide 
 row is for picking and carrying out fruit. This plan 
 lessens the injury to the vines in harvest. The crop 
 season often is shortened and the quality of the fruit in- 
 jured by careless pickers. 
 
30 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 TRANSPLANTING 
 
 Before the plants are taken from the beds they are 
 thoroughly soaked. The sod pieces will absorb and 
 hold enough moisture to enable the plants to thrive 
 even if there is a lack of rain. They are placed in fresh 
 made holes about an inch deeper than the thickness of 
 the sod, and the soil is well firmed around the plants. 
 
 Shallow but thorough cultivation should follow 
 and be kept up until the vines spread so that further 
 work with the horse would injure them. From this 
 time on the hoe should be used and sometimes it will 
 be necessary to pull the remaining weeds. Clean cul- 
 ture is essential to securing best results. 
 
 PICKING, GRADING AND CRATING 
 
 With many crops my work is nearly done when the 
 crop matures, but not so with cantaloupes. My profit 
 on cantaloupes depends to a great extent upon the 
 methods of picking, grading, crating and marketing. I 
 pick the ripe fruit every day and m.arket it as soon as 
 possible. 
 
 The cantaloupe is ready to pick just as soon as 
 the stem will slip. Considerable experience is needed 
 to become an expert in this work. Many melons sold 
 in our markets are picked when they reach a certain 
 size, by the same rule that lemons are gathered. This 
 practice may do for the grower who ships his crop, but 
 never for the grower who meets his customers face to 
 face. The grower who has an established reputation 
 for honest goods, and wishes to maintain it must use 
 the utmost care in grading and crating his crop. 
 
 A neat, strong crate holding 12 or 16 even-sized 
 melons is the most satisfactory size. A dozen canta- 
 loupes of the most popular size will fill a crate 20 
 inches long with 12-inch ends. 
 
MAKING MONEY FROM CANTALOUPES 31 
 
 MARKETING THE PRODUCT 
 
 The growers in my district are located within a 
 Hmit of 25 miles of the market center and deHvcry is 
 made by wagon. Many of these growers sell direct to 
 grocers, hotels and dealers. Profitable methods of 
 marketing are determined by the size of crop and the 
 ability and disposition of the grower. The nearer the 
 grower can get to the consumer the greater the profit. 
 If his product has quality, the satisfaction of all par- 
 ties concerned gives him an incentive for continued 
 effort to grow better crops. 
 
 The prices that buyers for clubs, high-class hotels 
 and cafes are willing to pay for cantaloupes of the best 
 quality are often surprising to growers not familiar 
 with city markets. This trade is worth a special efifort 
 to secure. However, the larger the city the more diffi- 
 cult it is for producer to reach consumer. The larger 
 the city, the more middlemen there are to share the con- 
 sumer's dollar. This is a natural result of the con- 
 gested conditions of traffic that cause the extraordinary 
 expense of distribution. 
 
CHAPTER V 
 Strawberries for Bvery Garden 
 
 Great big red, juicy strawberries look good to 
 everybody, and everybody should have them in abun- 
 dance. They thrive on all kinds of soil, in nearly all 
 climates, and should be grown in every garden in vil- 
 lage and country. 
 
 As a market crop, the strawberry can be grown 
 with profit by the owner of a small garden, and sold 
 fresh picked to his neighbors. The market gardener 
 may devote any fraction of an acre to this crop and 
 sell to grocers, or at the public market. The commer- 
 cial grower need limit his number of acres only by his 
 ability to procure labor that will be dependable and 
 always on the job. 
 
 When we discuss growing any garden crop from 
 a commercial standpoint, a great many different factors 
 become pertinent. These pertain to location, market 
 and shipping facilities, soil fertilizers and labor. Ex- 
 ecutive ability and a good bank account are also neces- 
 sary requisites, 
 
 WHERE THEY GROW BEST 
 
 The possibilities of growing strawberries under 
 ideal conditions are almost limitless. A thoroughly 
 congenial soil is a prime consideration. To be con- 
 genial to the growth of strawberries, a soil must con- 
 tain enough humus, or vegetable matter, to make its 
 physical condition perfect. Closely connected with 
 this vital supply of vegetable matter is a sufficient 
 amount of plant food, in an available form, and con- 
 taining the three elements — nitrogen, phosphoric acid, 
 
 32 
 
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STRAWBERRIES FOR EVERY GARDEN 33 
 
 and potash — in the proportions needed by the plants 
 for the highest degree of fruiting excellence. 
 
 The soil should be naturally well drained, and 
 nearly level. However, surface drainage must be per- 
 fect, as standing water in summer or ice in winter is 
 destructive to this crop. 
 
 Strawberries always should be grown in rotation, 
 and follow some cultivated crop that has been heavily 
 fertilized with stable manure and well cultivated to kill 
 weeds. Corn, potatoes or melons are the crops that 
 precede my berry crop. 
 
 An application of stable manure is made in the 
 fall or during the winter, the quantity depending upon 
 the amount of commercial fertilizers used. If no com- 
 mercial fertilizer is used, a liberal application is needed. 
 My practice has been to apply about 10 loads to the 
 acre of well-rotted manure with 200 pounds muriate 
 of potash and 600 pounds acid phosphate worked into 
 the soil as early in the spring as possible. 
 
 We should remember that in the preparation of 
 the strawberry field, we must provide for three sea- 
 sons' growth and two crops. We can well afford to be 
 liberal in appropriating time and money to this work 
 of preparation. 
 
 PREPARATION AND PLANTING 
 
 Heavy soil should be plowed in the fall and then 
 plowed again in the spring. Light soil should be plowed 
 in early spring to a depth of 8 to 10 inches, and should 
 be harrowed at once. No tool is better than the disk 
 for fitting land for the strawberry crop. Follow it 
 with a smoothing harrow, leveler, roller, and horse 
 weeder. This thorough preparation saves labor in 
 transplanting, and assures a better growth and a per- 
 fect stand of thrifty plants. 
 
34 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 SETTING THE PLANTS 
 
 I plant as early as the land is in good condition. 
 Rows are made four feet apart with a marker that will 
 make as shallow a mark as possible. Freshly dug 
 plants that have been well grown the previous season 
 are selected. 
 
 Plants are spaced 18 to 24 inches apart in the row, 
 depending on the variety. A good opening is made 
 with a spade, so that the roots will get down into the 
 soil straight. One man can make the openings for the 
 two men that follow, placing the plants in the freshly 
 made holes, and firming the soil around them. I would 
 emphasize the importance of this careful attention to 
 details in planting, as one of the factors of profit in 
 growing this crop is a perfect stand. 
 
 No list of varieties can be named that will be best 
 for all sections, or all markets. The best advice is to 
 plant varieties that have proved best in the experience 
 of the most successful growers in your locality. 
 
 My experience in testing new varieties has been 
 very disappointing. My advice is to "let George do it," 
 and don't always believe what George says about it. 
 
 The varieties that have succeeded best with me, 
 are the Bederwood, Warfield, Senator Dunlap. Sam- 
 ple, Gandy, and Brandywine. These varieties are 
 nearly standard. The Dunlap, Warfield and Gandy 
 have proved to be moneymakers from North Dakota 
 to the Ohio river. 
 
 Senator Dunlap and Miss Warfield have been 
 wedded these many years, and seem to have proved a 
 very congenial pair. They have traveled together 
 everywhere, remaining long in many places, to the sat- 
 isfaction of those who have entertained them with a 
 lavish hand. 
 
 The only objection I find to each of these two 
 
STRAWBERRIES FOR EVERY GARDEN 35 
 
 varieties is that they make too many plants. However, 
 this fault can be overcome by keeping them in hedge- 
 rows, or in narrow matted rows where with hberal fer- 
 tiHzing their vigor and push will develop enormous 
 crowns that will be loaded down with the finest fruit. 
 The size, shape, color, texture and quality are all that 
 can be desired. 
 
 MANAGING GROWTH OF PLANTS 
 
 Cultivation should begin soon after planting, and 
 continue until the ground freezes in the fall. A nar- 
 row-tooth cultivator which will not throw the dirt but 
 will leave the soil level is best for this work. It can 
 be run close to the row until the new plants become 
 rooted. Later the distance is regulated to form rows 
 16 to 18 inches wide. A horse weeder can be used to 
 advantage while plants are small, and after they have 
 become well rooted in the soil. The hand hoe must 
 be used often, and if weeds are killed when just start- 
 ing this work is not laborious nor expensive. 
 
 WINTER PROTECTION 
 
 Late in the fall, after growth has ceased, and the 
 ground begins to freeze, I put on a covering of marsh 
 hay. Freezing and thawing at this season is as injuri- 
 ous to the plants as it is in the winter or spring. About 
 two tons to the acr€ are needed and all the ground 
 should be covered evenly. Often hay that has become 
 unmerchantable can be bought cheaply. The cost of 
 covering is becoming a greater item of expense each 
 year. Other materials than hay may be used, but none 
 is as satisfactory. 
 
 WHAT TO DO IN SPRING 
 
 As soon as the danger of heavy frost is over in 
 
36 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 spring and growth commences, the covering is removed 
 to the spaces between the rows, and left there to pro- 
 tect the fruit, and to act as mulch to the plants during 
 the fruiting season. All weeds that start should be 
 pulled out by hand ; and the amount of this work de- 
 pends on how well it has been done the previous season. 
 
 SELLING THE PRODUCT 
 
 The most expensive items in berry production are 
 picking and marketing the fruit. Much of this work, 
 such as securing pickers, preparing packing shed and 
 making crates and boxes, can be done before the pick- 
 ing season opens, as there is little time for this work 
 when the rush is on. Even if it is possible to secure an 
 army of pickers, it is no easy matter to select those 
 who will work well. This requires the discipline of an 
 army officer, combined with the tact of a first-class 
 school teacher. Some boys are excellent pickers, but 
 girls and women are usually the most dependable. 
 
 Remember that while you would like to formulate 
 some very rigid rules to regulate this little army, en- 
 listed for only a few days or a few weeks, you will suc- 
 ceed best if you will but remember your own capacity 
 and disposition for work under the same conditions 
 when you were a boy. 
 
 Certain rules must be observed, however. Only a 
 specified number of empty boxes should be taken by 
 each picker, and the filled boxes brought at once to the 
 packing shed and inspected. Each picker should be 
 furnished a card with name or number marked plainly 
 thereon, and fastened to the picker, not to the carrier. 
 The carrier should not hold more than four boxes, and 
 enough of these should be provided so that the picker 
 may have an empty in place of one brought to the shed. 
 
 The manner and tact of the one who takes the 
 filled boxes from the pickers mean much in the dis- 
 
STRAWBERRIES FOR EVERY GARDEN 37 
 
 cipline of the little army. The boxes should be crated 
 as fast as inspected, the covers nailed on, and the filled 
 crates placed in as cool and dry a place as can be pro- 
 vided. If 20 or more pickers are employed, one per- 
 son should superintend the picking, watching the work, 
 instructing and encouraging the pickers, and occasion- 
 ally reprimanding the careless. 
 
 To the largest growers the marketing is often the 
 most simple, as the buyer purchases his crop at the 
 packing shed. Some buyers remain at the shipping 
 points and pay a price that is fixed for them at the 
 destination point, sometimes hundreds of miles away. 
 The greatest number of growers, however, are situated 
 very much as I am and are obliged to ship or drive to 
 a city market and consign to a commission firm, or be 
 their own salesman. In 20 years' experience in grow- 
 ing from one to three acres of berries, I have marketed 
 my own crop, selling to grocers and marketmen. The 
 best way to dispose of the crop must be determined by 
 •each individual grower for himself. 
 
 However and wherever your product is sold, place 
 your trademark on every box. You will profit or lose 
 according to the quality and condition of your goods. 
 
 COSTS AND PROFITS 
 
 Strawberry growing is a gamble if engaged in only 
 at intervals or in a desultory manner. However, if 
 grown for a period of 10 years the balance on the profit 
 side is as good as from any, and better than that from 
 most special crops. 
 
 Drouth and low prices often cut the profits down 
 to a few dollars per acre, while again in an extra favor- 
 able season the profits mount up into the three-figure 
 column. The subject of the cost and profit of this and 
 other crops will be treated at length in a special chapter. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 The Succulent Sweet Qorn 
 
 In favorable seasons it is possible for the truck 
 farmer to have sweet corn to sell every market day for 
 a period of 90 days, and in the average season at least 
 75 days. 
 
 This long period of production is made possible by 
 selecting the very early, the intermediate and the late 
 varieties, planting them in succession from the last days 
 in April to the middle of June. 
 
 There is no vegetable in our markets that is in 
 better demand and none that is a greater delicacy than 
 sweet corn in prime condition. However, careless 
 methods in handling from the time it is taken from the 
 field to the time it reaches the consumer's table often 
 change what was a sweet, juicy and appetizing article of 
 food to one less palatable than corn bought in the can. 
 
 In many large cities the truck farmers drive with 
 their loads of vegetables to the commission houses, 
 passing on their way the large retail grocers located in 
 the suburbs and outlying districts of the city. The next 
 morning the buyers from these stores drive several 
 miles to the commission houses and often purchase the 
 same vegetables that had passed their store. 
 
 These products have been stored in the heated 
 rooms of the commission houses, have been carted 
 miles, reloaded and handled several times. This is 
 called "modern merchandizing." 
 
 LESSONS OF THIRTY YEARS* WORK 
 
 After 30 years of experience in growing sweet 
 corn for the Milwaukee market I would say that my 
 
TUE SUCCULENT SWEET CORN 39 
 
 success has come from growing the best varieties, 
 selecting and marketing the product when in prime 
 condition, and dehvering regularly to the best class of 
 trade obtainable — hotels, restaurants and first-class 
 grocers. 
 
 It has been my policy to get as near the consumer 
 as possible. I realize, however, that as cities increase 
 in size marketing and delivery become more difficult, 
 and I have been obliged to depend upon the public mar- 
 ket in place of delivering to regular customers. These 
 markets are becoming more popular each year and are 
 very satisfactory. 
 
 A sandy or gravelly loam soil is best for growing 
 early sweet corn of quality. The greatest profit is made 
 from very early crops. To secure an early crop the 
 very best seed must be secured. Planting must be done 
 at a season when the very highest standard of vitality 
 is necessary to obtain a good stand. Home-saved seed 
 is most reliable. 
 
 The most popular varieties in our market are early 
 White Cory, Mammoth White Cory, Chicago Market, 
 Crosby, Cosmopolitan, early and late Evergreen. There 
 is sometimes a local deimand for Yellow Bantam and 
 blue corn, or other special varieties. However, I have 
 succeeded best by selecting the best white varieties that 
 have 12 or more rows of small kernels and thin hulls. 
 
 PLANTING AND TENDING 
 
 I plant in check rows, the early varieties three feet 
 and the late 3^ feet apart. Great care is given to the 
 planting of the early crop. From four to five seeds are 
 planted in each hill, at a depth not to exceed two inches. 
 
 The harrow is used one or more times before the 
 crop is up, and the horse cultivator, weeder and hand 
 hoe are used from the time the rows can be followed 
 
40 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 until the corn is too large to be worked without injury. 
 At the time of the first cultivation the man with the 
 hoe is, indeed, an important personage. His effective 
 work at this time means more dollars of profit to the 
 grower. 
 
 There is no crop that will return more profit for a 
 liberal application of fertilizer than early sweet corn, 
 and none that will suffer more for lack of it. During 
 my first years of experience in growing early sweet 
 corn and early potatoes I was impressed by the fact 
 that excessive amounts of stable manure are required 
 to grow maximum crops — much more than enough to 
 supply plant food for crops that have the whole season 
 for growth and maturity. From this early experience 
 I learned, what is common knowledge now, that only 
 a small part of the plant food in stable manure is in 
 an available condition early in the season on account 
 of a lack of bacterial growth which becomes present 
 in the soil through the aid of heat and moisture as the 
 season advances. 
 
 Finding it also more difficult and expensive each 
 season to procure stable manure, I have been supple- 
 menting the manure with nitrate of soda, acid phos- 
 phate and muriate of potash. About 10 loads per acre 
 of stable manure are applied during the winter or early 
 spring. Cover crops are grown with preceding crops 
 to add to the supply of humus so necessary to keep 
 up the proper physical condition of the soil. The land 
 is plowed as early as conditions permit, five to seven 
 inches deep. Five hundred pounds acid phosphate and 
 150 pounds muriate of potash are sown broadcast and 
 harrowed or disked in. It is immaterial whether the 
 materials are mixed or applied separately. Nitrate of 
 soda at the rate of 100 pounds per acre is sown broad- 
 cast about the time corn is coming up and is harrowed 
 in. 
 

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Making Up the Hotbeds for Cantaloupes 
 
 A Good Tough Sod Should be Chosen 
 
THE SUCCULENT SWEET CORN 41 
 
 No crop that I have grown has given me greater 
 profit or satisfaction than has my sweet corn. I ven- 
 ture the statement that the right kind of a man, with 
 the right kind of soil, the right kind of seed, and the 
 right kind of culture and within 20 miles of a good 
 market can be assured of an average annual income 
 of at least $1,200 from 16 acres and will have left 
 enough product in the form of first-class fodder to pay 
 for the fertilizer. 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 Some Speciatl Qrops 
 
 EARLY POTATOES 
 
 A fertile soil, thick planting, thorough culture, and 
 seed of best vitality, are the essential factors in pro- 
 ducing a large yield of early potatoes. 
 
 SOIL AND LOCATION 
 
 The ideal soil is deep, friable and naturally 
 drained. A sandy loam with an open subsoil comes 
 the nearest to this standard. 
 
 The land should lie high enough to be well air 
 drained, in order to have minimum danger of frost 
 damage. Under these conditions, early planting is safe. 
 
 ENRICHING THE SOIL 
 
 Fresh stable manure tends to produce such dis- 
 eases as scab, rot and blight. It is, therefore, best to 
 apply stable manure to the preceding crop. From this 
 is derived the residual effect of the plant food left in 
 the soil, while the physical condition of the land is 
 immensely benefited through the addition of the or- 
 ganic matter. 
 
 Early potatoes need an abundance of available 
 plant food of the right kind, in the right place, at the 
 right time. This means some form of commercial fer- 
 tilizer. I have increased my production and improved 
 the quality of my crop by this means. 
 
 After several years' experience I have concluded 
 that my best results were secured by sowing broadcast 
 
 42 
 
SOME SPECIAL CROPS 43 
 
 at the time of plowing 200 pounds muriate of potash 
 and 600 pounds acid phosphate to the acre, working 
 it into the soil at once. About the time the plants come 
 up I usually apply 100 pounds per acre nitrate of soda, 
 sown broadcast, and harrowed or cultivated in. 
 
 MAKING THE SEED BED READY 
 
 The ground is plowed as deeply as the nature of 
 the soil will permit and as early as it is in condition. 
 It is harrowed and pulverized in a thorough manner. 
 I am not content with stirring and leveling the surface 
 only, but use the disk and such harrows as will work 
 deep and leave th^ soil in the best condition to receive 
 the seed. 
 
 Only seed of the strongest vitality and the best 
 type of the variety selected should be planted. Re- 
 member that this crop is wanted early and give it every 
 chance to gain a day or two on Father Time. For 
 many years I have planted seed grown on reclaimed 
 marsh soil. These seed potatoes, planted late in June, 
 ripen in October, and are in as good condition at plant- 
 ing time the next spring as when taken from the 
 ground. They make a vigorous growth, and are less 
 subject to scab or blight than potatoes that ripen early. 
 
 After testing many varieties, I am still growing 
 the early Ohio, and am securing as large yields as when 
 it was first introduced. This can be said of but few 
 varieties of potatoes. Fvery grower must decide what 
 variety best suits his soil and market. 
 
 PLANTING THE CROP 
 
 Planting begins as soon as the land is prepared. 
 Tn southern Wisconsin the planting season is during 
 the first two weeks of April. I use a horse planter. The 
 
44 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 rows are 2}4 feet apart, and the seed placed 13 inches 
 apart in the rows. 
 
 The seed is cut to one or two eyes, and to as uni- 
 form size as possible. Depth of covering depends upon 
 the condition of the soil. Three to four inches prove 
 most satisfactory under the conditions found on my 
 farm. 
 
 WHEN AND HOW TO CULTIVATE 
 
 Cultivation begins soon after planting by harrow- 
 ing several times before the plants come up. The horse 
 cultivator should be run quite deep for the first culti- 
 vation, after which all operations should be shallow. 
 Deep cultivation after root growth has become well 
 established injures the feeding roots in the top soil. 
 
 The horse weeder is used after each cultivation, 
 and continued as long as the size of the plants will 
 admit. The cultivator and weeder should be used after 
 every rain to prevent crusting of the surface of the soil, 
 and to conserve moisture. If cultivation is thorough, 
 and at the right time, very little hand hoeing is neces- 
 sary. 
 
 LEVEL CULTURE FOR LIGHT SOILS 
 
 Level culture is continued until the last cultivation, 
 which is as late as it is possible to cultivate without in- 
 jury to the vines. The wing hoes are then put on the 
 horse hoe, and the rows are hilled slightly. No definite 
 rule can be given as to hilling, as seasonable conditions 
 regulate this phase of cultivation. 
 
 BUGS AND DISEASES 
 
 The Colorado potato beetle, or ordinary potato 
 bug, is always with us, but it is less a menace than in 
 
SOME SPECIAL CROPS 45 
 
 former years. With the powder gun or the improved 
 spraying implements, we are able to successfully cope 
 with this once formidable enemy of the potato grower. 
 The powder gun is the most convenient, is always 
 loaded, and does quick work. For several years I have 
 used it with the greatest satisfaction. When spraying 
 machines are used to prevent blight, then insecticides 
 can be used with the bordeaux mixture with economy 
 of labor. 
 
 I have succeeded in the prevention of scab and 
 blight in my early potato fields by crop rotation and 
 seed selection to such an extent that I have had very 
 little loss for several years. Early blight appears at a 
 rainy season and very frequent applications of bor- 
 deaux mixture are necessary to prevent loss if spray- 
 ing is practiced. 
 
 HARVESTING AND MARKETING 
 
 I begin to dig the crop as early as the tubers are 
 of marketable size. They are put upon the market 
 as soon as possible after digging, and as rapidly as 
 men and teams can do the work. 
 
 A two-horse digger is used, and the pickers follow 
 the digger. For convenience in handling I use bags 
 holding one bushel. The bags are loaded directly on 
 market wagons and delivered to the grocer or market- 
 man. 
 
 ASPARAGUS FOR MARKET 
 
 Asparagus is a popular vegetable and has a long 
 season. It thrives best in sandy loam or well-drained 
 muck soil. A field that has been cultivated and ma- 
 nured heavily the previous year is preferred. At no 
 period of its growth should it lack for liberal manuring. 
 
46 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 It is a heavy feeder, and demands its food in large 
 quantities. 
 
 For planting asparagus, furrows should be plowed 
 five feet apart and eight inches deep and cleaned out 
 to even depth with a spade. The plants, which should 
 be a year old, are set with roots spread out in a natural 
 position and 18 inches apart in the row. Be careful 
 to cover the crown not more than two inches at first, 
 gradually filling the furrows as the shoots advance in 
 growth. 
 
 Thorough, clean culture at all times is essential. 
 As the crowns of the plants are several inches below 
 the surface, disking and harrowing is practical after 
 the stalks are cut in fall and before growth begins in 
 early spring. 
 
 After the principal stalk growth is over and before 
 the seed matures, mow ofif and remove the tops and 
 burn them. Maturing seed is said to be the most ex- 
 haustive effort of plant life, and volunteer seedlings 
 are as bad as weeds. 
 
 Not until the third year should marketing be al- 
 lowed. Care must be taken in cutting the sprouts ; run 
 the knife below the surface and avoid injury to the 
 other shoots. Palmetto and Argenteuil will prove the 
 best varieties for almost any market. 
 
 TOMATOES REQUIRE EARLY ATTENTION 
 
 Tomato plants are started in hotbeds. Seed should 
 be sown about the first of March in boxes or flats, 
 which may be made three or four inches deep and of 
 such width and length as may be the most convenient 
 to handle. The boxes are placed on soil in hotbeds, 
 which should be filled so that the boxes come close to 
 glass. 
 
 As soon as the plants have made the second leaves, 
 
SOME SPECIAL CROPS 47 
 
 they are transplanted to other boxes and planted two 
 inches apart. Two more transplantings should be 
 made, the last time to cold frames and the plants well 
 hardened off before setting in the field. 
 
 The soil should have been plowed and harrowed 
 some time before, and then disked and harrowed at 
 the time of planting. Set tomato plants in checks six 
 feet apart each way. Avoid planting on land that has 
 raised tomatoes or potatoes during several preceding 
 years, as there is danger of infection from blight. 
 
 SPECIALTIES ARE FOR SPECIALISTS 
 
 Celery and cauliflower are usually grown as 
 specialties by men who have learned how to handle 
 these crops. They require close attention to details, 
 both as to culture and preparing for market. A deep, 
 moist, black loam soil is needed. It must be well 
 drained and a liberal amount of manure supplied and 
 well mixed with the soil. Frequent and thorough cul- 
 tivation is essential, particularly after each rain, to 
 conserve moisture and encourage rapid growth. 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 Shall We Irrigate ? 
 
 Irrigation of arid land has been employed from 
 time immemorial and in practically every recorded in- 
 stance the results have been successful to a degree al- 
 most beyond belief. Only within recent years, how- 
 ever, has irrigation been practiced to any extent in the 
 humid sections of the United States. 
 
 Nevertheless, commercial growers of fruit and 
 vegetables in nearly every part of the country realize 
 that there are periods in nearly every growing season 
 when a crop could be saved or its value doubled could 
 they but call down from the skies a soft gentle rain 
 of sufficient duration to abundantly water the crop. 
 
 After having provided all the other factors that 
 go to assure maximum yields — good soil, pure seed and 
 expensive fertilization, followed by thorough cultiva- 
 tion and often by several applications of spraying ma- 
 terials — we see our crops reduced to a minimum yield 
 for the lack of the water when nature fails to supply 
 it in sufficient quantity at the right time. 
 
 Like many other ambitious truck growers, I have 
 considered and planned or dreamed of a system of 
 irrigation that would provide for a few acres of ber- 
 ries, cantaloupes and other crops that produce high 
 acre values. Truck growers whose lands are favorably 
 located near streams or surface springs have been suc- 
 cessful in furnishing water for small areas by installing 
 a gasoline engine and laying pipe under or on the sur- 
 face and extending through the fields. The water runs 
 direct from the pipes or through hose attachments. 
 
 48 
 
The Hotbeds Are Filled Closely with Sods 
 
 The Plants Should Stand Six Inches Apart 
 

 
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 Load the Seedlings Carefully on Flat Wagons 
 
 The Plants Are Set in Hills 
 
SHALL WE IRRIGATE? 
 
 49 
 
 This process has proved profitable, in spite of the ex- 
 cessive waste of water and the labor expense. 
 
 The success of this crude system has led to an 
 investigation of the possibilities of a practical and 
 economical system of irrigation that can be installed 
 at moderate expense and operated at a low cost. 
 
 From these investigations certain underlying prin- 
 ciples have been evolved the practice of which has 
 
 JW'VVJ*^ 
 
 -71 
 
 A Field Piped for the Overhead Spraying System 
 
 enormously increased the yield of crops as compared 
 with the cruder practices of irrigation, A considerable 
 amount of this study has been performed in the eastern 
 half of the United States, which is not usually con- 
 sidered susceptible of irrigation. It has been demon- 
 strated, however, beyond possibility of doubt, that 
 profitable crop increases can be produced under mod- 
 
50 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 crn and scientific irrigation, even in the so-called rain 
 belt. 
 
 TYPES OF IRRIGATION 
 
 To one familiar with irrigation development in 
 the eastern half of the United States, the practice ex- 
 isting under some of the vast irrigation enterprises in 
 the West presents something of an incongruity. Any- 
 one accustomed to the careful, painstaking methods of 
 watering employed in sections of this country is im- 
 pressed with the gross lack of efficiency in those por- 
 tions of the Southwest where water is secured only 
 after the expenditure of millions of dollars in vast en- 
 gineering undertakings, only to be irregularly and 
 wastefully distributed over the field by an ignorant 
 and careless Mexican peon, whose most efficient imple- 
 ment is a hoe. In some of these localities modern irri- 
 gation methods have been tried alongside those of the 
 cruder nature, with the result that the yield has almost 
 invariably been doubled. 
 
 One of the essentials of effective watering is an 
 absolute uniformity in distribution, so that each plant 
 in the field will receive its proper amount of water. 
 The result of irregular watering is shown on one hand 
 in a field of ragged growth. In contrast with this a 
 field of uniform and rtiaximum development in every 
 plant is secured under a proper and uniform water dis- 
 tribution. 
 
 OVER-WATERING HARMS PLANT GROV^^TH 
 
 It is equally essential that plants receive no more 
 water than they require. The practice of over-watering 
 some portions of the field in order that the plants in a 
 more remote locality may receive water in a sufficient 
 
SHALL WE IRRIGATE? 51 
 
 amount for their full development has repeatedly 
 demonstrated its fallacy. Innumerable experiments and 
 investigations have proved that over-watering is even 
 more injurious than under-watering. 
 
 Growers are beginning to discover also that the 
 effects on the soil resulting from the various methods 
 of watering are of vast importance to plant growth. A 
 soil which is puddled and caked yields far less returns 
 than a soil which remains open and free. Also the 
 
 The Spraying System at Work 
 
 reduced temperature of the soil through over-watering 
 has been seen to retard plant growth. With all other 
 conditions equal, various methods of watering will 
 sometimes produce as much as four weeks' difference 
 in the maturity of a crop, so that in addition to other 
 advantages, a proper method of irrigation brings the 
 crop into the market under early periods of high prices. 
 Such are only a few of the underlying principles 
 which must be reckoned with in considering the prob- 
 lem of irrigation, and various methods and devices are 
 employed to accomplish results which prove beneficial. 
 
52 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 THE SKINNER SYSTEM 
 
 Probably the system of irrigation which has most 
 fully demonstrated its merits for eastern conditions is 
 known as the overhead spraying system. In a general 
 way this system, which is commonly known as the 
 Skinner system, consists of a series of lateral pipes 
 parallel with the ground and parallel with each other. 
 These pipes are placed approximately 50 feet apart in 
 the field, and along each line are inserted a row of small 
 nozzles, the construction of which is the result of care- 
 ful and studious development. These nozzles are 
 placed in a straight line, and from three to four feet 
 apart, and are so constructed that they will throw a fine 
 stream a distance of approximately 25 or 30 feet. The 
 character of the stream is such that it is diffused in 
 small drops before reaching the ground, duplicating a 
 fine, gentle rain. Each pipe line is oscillated on its axis 
 in order to cover the ground uniformly and thoroughly. 
 
 For many years growers have in a small way 
 sprinkled through lateral perforated pipes, but it has 
 only been within recent years that the disadvantages 
 of this method have been eliminated and the benefits 
 developed until this system became commercially feasi- 
 ble. The idea and devices of the system are protected 
 by patents. It has been widely distributed, being in 
 use in every state, and has demonstrated its practica- 
 bility under the widest variety of conditions and on al- 
 most every crop. A thorough study of irrigation leads 
 to the conclusion that a light, gentle rainfall offers the 
 most advantageous method of watering and this com- 
 paratively simple system duplicates nature's way in 
 supplying moisture to the crop. 
 
 COST AND PERFORMANCE 
 
 The usual installation will distribute about 40 gal- 
 
SHALL WE IRRIGATE? 53 
 
 Ions of water a minute per acre, equivalent to an inch 
 of rainfall in 11 hours. The cost of the system, ex- 
 clusive of the pumping plant, is about $150 an acre. 
 It is easy to operate, even in its cheapest form, but it 
 has been developed to a point whereby all the lines are 
 oscillated automatically from the pumping engine and 
 a uniform water distribution is secured thereby, with- 
 out any hand labor whatever. The system can also 
 be used for spraying and for protection against frost, 
 and provides what is probably the most satisfactory 
 method of watering yet developed. 
 
 It is the only device which produces an absolutely 
 uniform water distribution which is partially or en- 
 tirely automatic in its operation and which permits a 
 water distribution intelligently and under the command 
 of the user. Numerous articles by scientific users of 
 the system have begim to indicate the benefits which 
 can be secured by the correct application of water. The 
 mere fact that a grower can arrive at exact knowledge 
 as to what he is doing in his water distribution opens 
 up a field of experiment and developments which has 
 heretofore been impossible. The system is in use in 
 units ranging from very small garden equipments to 
 installations of 100 acres, and it is practically the uni- 
 versal verdict that it will pay in increased returns every 
 year an amount equivalent to the entire cost of the 
 equipment. In taking this statement in consideration 
 it should be recognized that most of the systems in use 
 are on intensive growing, and while it is valuable on 
 ordinary farm crops, yet the installation of this equip- 
 ment invariably tends to the policy of growing crops 
 which bring large money returns per acre. 
 
 Numerous other methods have been employed to 
 accomplish the results secured by the system above de- 
 scribed, but up to this there has not come to the writer's 
 notice any equipment which, for the same cost of in- 
 
54 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 stallation, will produce the uniform growth and de- 
 velopment of the crop which can be secured from the 
 above described equipment. 
 
 When it is recognized that at least 500 pounds of 
 water is required by the growing plants to add 1 pound 
 of solid matter to its structure, one can begin to realize 
 the importance of the proper application of water and 
 can understand the reason for the enormous yields 
 which have been produced under the most improved 
 irrigation methods. 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 
 Reclaim the Marsh Lands 
 
 There are millions of acres of reclaimable swamp 
 lands in the east central states that may be made to 
 produce abundant crops. These lands can be drained 
 and brought into a good state of cultivation with less 
 labor than was employed by our forefathers in clear- 
 ing the lands which now command prices so high as to 
 discourage the present generation from buying farms. 
 
 There are tens of thousands of these acres located 
 near the best markets in the world, and this class of 
 land is adapted to the growing of truck crops that may 
 be sold in these cities, as well as to profitable dairy 
 farming. 
 
 The profits from 10 acres of such land planted to 
 celery, onions, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower and other 
 garden crops often make the sales from the average 
 quarter section of the Northwest look small. Truck 
 farming a few acres of this reclaimed swamp land can 
 be made profitable. The labor can be performed by 
 the farmer's family. But a small initial investment is 
 required for the land and a moderate amount for horses 
 and tools. To the man ambitious to do things in a big 
 way growing the several varieties of vegetables and 
 selling in car lots ofifers a field of limitless opportunity. 
 He has an unlimited market in the nearby cities and the 
 southwestern states. There are, of course, seasons 
 when some one crop may be grown at a loss. Grow- 
 ing a variety of products, however, insures almost cer- 
 tain success. 
 
 There is no class of soil that will produce as much 
 feed per acre in the form of corn for silage, or as much 
 
 65 
 
56 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 timothy and alsike, as these swamp lands. Their value 
 has been demonstrated, and with the organization of 
 drainage districts by men who are competent for this 
 work large areas are being reclaimed. 
 
 The work should not only be thorough, but a fund 
 for maintenance should be provided. Subdrainage by 
 the use of tiles should be supervised by an expert, and 
 every detail of the work well done. Trying to save a 
 few dollars per acre on this part of the work is poor 
 economy. 
 
 In the cultivation and fertilization of this class of 
 soil, our methods are the reverse of those followed in 
 treating upland soils. The uplands lack organic matter 
 and need barnyard manure and crop rotation to keep 
 up the humus content and to supply nitrogen. Marsh 
 soils contain a superabundance of organic matter, often 
 80 per cent, but are very deficient in the mineral ele- 
 ments. 
 
 Marsh lands in the limestone sections of the east 
 central states are usually well supplied with lime, and 
 are not acid. The decomposition of the organic mat- 
 ter, if drainage is thorough, provides an abundance of 
 nitrogen. The phosphoric acid content is usually high. 
 After heavy cropping exhausts the supply this element 
 can be supplied with profit in the form of rock phos- 
 phate or acid phosphate. 
 
 Marsh soils are almost invariably deficient in pot- 
 ash. However, this can be supplied at a minimum cost 
 per acre in the form of muriate or sulphate of potash. 
 With the knowledge we have acquired through the 
 demonstrations made by the state experiment stations, 
 I consider it a wasteful practice to apply either farm 
 manure or a complete fertihzer to this class of soils. 
 When we supply the one element, potash, we insure 
 maximum crops. 
 
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CHAPTER X 
 Qosts and Profits 
 
 In estimating the profits secured from our crops, 
 we are quite likely to select some certain season that 
 has been exceedingly favorable and when unusual mar- 
 ket prices prevailed. 
 
 It is well, perhaps, to remember the fat years and 
 forget the lean ones. However, to be of any value, 
 data must be secured from the records of several con- 
 secutive seasons. 
 
 The following tables have been formulated from 
 records of production covering periods of seven to 10 
 years and from crops in which I have specialized for 
 more than a score of years. In making up the tables, 
 I have made the unit one acre. 
 
 The acreage of the several crops has been as fol- 
 lows : Strawberries, two acres ; melons, four and one- 
 half acres; potatoes, five, acres; sweet corn, 10 acres. 
 
 The products have been hauled to market by my 
 own teams and sold from the wagon ; consequently, 
 there is no charge for freight or commission. There 
 has also been a saving in cost of crates, as some are 
 returned or purchased for much less than the price of 
 new ones. 
 
 In going over my records, I note a large increase 
 in the cost of labor, fertilizers, crate material, horses, 
 wagons and travel expense. I estimate an average ad- 
 vance on these several items of expense to be at least 
 25 per cent within the last 10 years. 
 
 In growing strawberries, my practice has been to 
 keep the fields in bearing two years. Therefore, three 
 years of labor, including the year of planting, will pro- 
 
 67 
 
58 MAKING SPECIAL CROPS PAY 
 
 duce two crops, and I have charged half the cost for 
 three years to one crop, also one and one-half years' 
 rent to each crop. Strawberries are marketed in 16- 
 quart cases. The cost for crates, picking, marketing 
 and miscellaneous expense comes very close to three 
 cents a quart, while the cost of producing is only two 
 cents. 
 
 STRAWBERRIES 
 
 Gross Receipts 
 
 266 cases, at $1.28 $340.48 
 
 Cost 
 
 Labor $48.00 
 
 Fertilizers 15.00 
 
 Mulching 14-00 
 
 Rent 15.00 
 
 Picking and marketing 120.00 $212.00 
 
 Profit $128.48 
 
 MELONS 
 
 Gross Receipts 
 
 185 crates, at $1.30 $240.50 
 
 Cost 
 
 Preparing hotbeds $8.00 
 
 Cutting sods and planting 4.00 
 
 Care of hotbeds 4.00 
 
 Transplanting 5.00 
 
 Preparing land 4.50 
 
 Cultivating and hoeing 8-50 
 
 Crates 13.00 
 
 Picking and crating 9.00 
 
 Marketing 22.00 
 
 Fertilizers 8.00 
 
 Rent 10.00 
 
 Total costs $96.00 
 
 Profit $144.50 
 
COSTS AND PROFITS 59 
 
 POTATOES 
 
 Gross Receipts 
 
 162 bushels, at $0.77 $124.74 
 
 Cost 
 
 Plowing $2.00 
 
 Harrowing 1.00 
 
 Planting 1.00 
 
 Cultivation 4-00 
 
 Digging _ 2.00 
 
 Picking and sacking 3.50 
 
 Marketing 16.00 
 
 Fertilizer 13.00 
 
 Seed 6.00 
 
 Paris green 1.50 
 
 Rent 10.00 $60.00 
 
 Profit $64.74 
 
 CORN 
 
 Gross Receipts 
 
 8,750, at $0.82 per hundred $71.75 
 
 Corn fodder 8.00 
 
 $79.75 
 Cost 
 
 Plowing $2.00 
 
 Harrowing and marking 1.50 
 
 Planting .50 
 
 Cultivation 3.00 
 
 Hand hoeing 2.00 
 
 Fertilizer 11.00 
 
 Picking and marketing 14.00 
 
 Rent 10.00 $44.00 
 
 Profit $35.75 
 
Index 
 
 Page 
 
 Ammonium sulphate 19 
 
 Asparagus, best soil for 45-46 
 
 cultivating 46 
 
 planting 46 
 
 Author's early experience 2 
 
 Basic slag for fertilizer 22 
 
 Cantaloupes 25 
 
 best soil for 28 
 
 fertilizing for 29 
 
 growing for local market 26 
 
 harvesting and marketing ....30-31 
 
 starting in hotbeds 26-27 
 
 transplanting 30 
 
 Cauliflower a special crop 47 
 
 Celery a special crop 47 
 
 Commercial fertilizer for truck 
 
 crops 15 
 
 sources of 19-23 
 
 Cultivation, tools for 6 
 
 Cyanamid, discussion of 19-20 
 
 Developing home acres 1 
 
 Fertilizers, distributors for 24 
 
 economic use of 14-15 
 
 experimental plots for 18-19 
 
 for truck crops 5-6 
 
 how much to use 15 
 
 Fertility, how to maintain 13 
 
 Forcing early crops 8-9 
 
 Garden tools 8 
 
 Hotbeds for cantaloupes 26-27 
 
 how to use 8-9 
 
 management of 27-28 
 
 Humus, functions of 16 
 
 necessary for gardening 3 
 
 Insect pests 11-12 
 
 Irrigation, cost of overhead system 53 
 
 common methods crude 50 
 
 for rain belt 48-49 
 
 Skinner system 52 
 
 Kainit 23 
 
 Lime 23 
 
 Marketing methods 10 
 
 Marsh lands, draining and develop- 
 ing 55-56 
 
 reclaimable 55 
 
 Marsh soil good truck land 55 
 
 Pa?B 
 
 Nitrate of soda 19 
 
 Nitrogen, sources of 19 
 
 Phosphoric acid 20-21 
 
 Potash for marsh soils 56 
 
 sources of 22 
 
 Potatoes, combating pests 44-45 
 
 cultivating 44 
 
 early planting 43-44 
 
 fertilizing 42-43 
 
 harvesting and marketing 45 
 
 planting 43-44 
 
 soil for early crops 42 
 
 Profits, average per acre 57-59 
 
 Seed selection important 5-6 
 
 Soil, ideal for gardening 3 
 
 humus for 3 
 
 preparation, necessity for 5 
 
 testing for acid 23 
 
 type for different crops 4 
 
 Strawberries a general crop 32 
 
 crop rotation for 33 
 
 cultivating and protecting 35 
 
 fertilizing for 33 
 
 picking and marketing 36-37 
 
 planting the bed 34 
 
 preparing land for 33 
 
 profits of crop 37 
 
 soil type for 33 
 
 varieties of 34 
 
 Superphosphates 21 
 
 Sweet corn, tctilizing for 40 
 
 for marketing 38 
 
 market varieties 39 
 
 planting 39 
 
 profits per acre 41 
 
 soil for 39 
 
 Tankage for fertilizer 20 
 
 Thomas phosphate powder 22 
 
 Tomatoes, planting 47 
 
 starting in hotbeds 46-47 
 
 Tools for gardening 9-10 
 
 Truck crops, profits from 57-59 
 
 Truck farming a business 3 
 
 Varieties for market needs 7-8 
 
 how to choose 6 
 
 Water requirements of plants 54 
 
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