$2 Download. Market Gardening. 1915 – 130

PREFACE

The income from the sale of vegetables is practically

twice that produced from the great fruit industries of the

country. Only recently, however, is Market Gardening

receiving the attention that it merits as a subject in which

valuable instruction may be given in our schools.

The purpose of this little manual is to furnish, in a con densed

and usable form, information concerning methods

and best practices for growing and marketing the com moner

vegetables. It is designed primarily for use as

an elementary text on market gardening.

Methods for the propagation, preparation of the soil

for, planting, cultivation, harvesting and marketing of

twenty-tliree of the more connnon and hardy vegetables

are considered in detail. In addition, such information

is given concerning soils, fertilizers, moisture requirements,

seeds, germination, the preparation and care of hot beds

and the storing and packing of vegetables as is necessary

to a reasonably complete understanding of the whole

problem. A special chapter is devoted to the location,

planning and care of home and school gardens.

Growers of vegetables in a small way for the home

table, as well as those engaged in market gardening on

a commercial scale, it is believed, will find this a practical,

reliable and handy guide.

F. L. Yeaw.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

Location for the Market Garden. Cultivation

PAGE

Market — Soil — Exposure — Labor — -Water — Tools — Cultivation. . . 1

CHAPTER II

Fertilizers

Stable Manures — Composting — Chemical Fertilizers— Nitrogen

—

Nitrate of Soda — Potash — Phosphoric Acid — Complete Fer tilizers —

Soil Acidity — Lime — Green Manures — Legumes

Ploughing Under — Catch Crops 9

CHAPTER III

Hot Beds

Uses — Location — Means of Heating — Construction — Preparation

of the Manure — Care 19

CHAPTER IV

Seeds and Seed Sowing. Transplanting

Quality of the Seed — Germination — Seed Beds — Planting —

Transplanting 24

CHAPTER V

Irrigation

Moisture Requirements of Plants — Methods of Irrigation 32

V

VI CONTEXTS

CHAPTER VI

Vegetable Gardens

PAGE

The Home Garden — School Gardens 36

CHAPTER VII

Storing and Packing

Storage Cellars and Pits — Storing Root Crops — Celery — Onions

and Cabbage — Packing 43

CHAPTER VIII

Crops

Propagation, preparation of soil for, planting, cultivation, harvesting

and marketing of the following: 1. Asparagus. 2. Beans.

—

3. Beets. — 4. Cabbage. — 5. Bru.ssels sprouts. — 6. Cauliflower.

7. Celery. — S. Cucumbers. — 9. Dandelion. — 10. Egg Plant.—

11. Hor.>e-radish.— 12. Lettuce.— 13. Muskmelon.— 14. On ions. —

15. Parsnips. — 16. Salsify. — 17. Pea. — 18. Radi.sh.—

19. Rhubarb. — 20. Spinach.— -21. Scjuash. — 22. Sweet corn.

23. Tomatoes 53

xMAKKET GAKDEXIXG

CHAPTER I

LOCATION FOR THE MARKET GARDEX. CULTR'ATIOX

The location of tlie market garden is determined by a

number of factors, the most important of which are market,

soil, transportation facilities, labor supply, manure supply

and water.

1. Market. The market, and nearness to market, are

of first importance in choosing the location for the market

garden. The grower must have a sure and dependal^le

market for iiis products; the larger cities generally' afford

the steadiest and most dependable markets. j\Iost of the

products of the market garden are of a perishable nature;

if the garden is not located close to a market, within

hauling distance, the express or fast freight service must

be efficient and dependable. The condition of the roads

is of vital importance to the grower who intends to haul

his produce to market with a team or auto truck.

2. Soil. The soil is of secondary importance to the

market. A market must be had in which to dispose of

the produce; but a good gardener can build up and improve

the average soil so that it will protluce good crops of most

vegetables, while it might be impossible to create or build

up a market.

ROSWELL, N. M.

April, 1915.

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