Vegetable Gardening | by Ralph L. Watts

In the preparation of this volume the author has had a twofold purpose, first, to meet the demands of instructors desiring a textbook on vegetable gardening and, second, to present in an organized form data of value to all classes of vegetable growers. The work relates to the culture rather than to the systematic study of vegetables, although some attention is given to a description and classification of the more important garden crops. A special effort is made to state the fundamental principles involved in the various operations of vegetable gardening, while at the same time methods are discussed fully, and frequent reference is made to the practice of vegetable growers in various sections of the United States and Canada.

Title	Vegetable Gardening
Author	Ralph L. Watts
Publisher	Orange Judd Company
Year	1912
Copyright	1912, Orange Judd Company
Amazon	Vegetable Gardening

By Ralph L. Watts, Professor of Horticulture in the Pennsylvania State College.

Preface: Numerous bulletins of the agricultural experiment stations and of the United States Department of Agriculture, and books and periodicals relating to garden topics, were consulted during the preparatio...

1. Vegetable Gardening, Or Olericulture: Vegetable Gardening, Or Olericulture, is the art of growing the crops which are commonly known as vegetables. The term vegetable is usually applied to the edible parts of herbaceous plants. With som...

2. Market Gardening: Market Gardening, in its broadest sense, is the growing of vegetables for commercial purposes, but the generally, accepted meaning is that market gardening relates to the intensive culture of crops th...

3. Trucking Or Farm Gardening: There is no sharp line of demarcation between market gardening and trucking or farm gardening. According to common usage trucking means the growing of vegetables on an extensive field scale. The opera...

4. Vegetable Forcing: Vegetable Forcing is a very important branch of vegetable gardening. Hundreds of acres under glass in the United States are devoted to the growing of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes and other v...

6. Ideals: In the production of vegetables for the home table the gardener should aim to secure (1) a variety of products, (2) the highest quality and (3) a supply as uniform and constant as possible at differen...

7. Profits: The profits in vegetable gardening are quite variable. In some instances they are so large that people are loath to believe the accounts, while in others the net returns are trifling. Considerable gla...

8. The Outlook: Prices fluctuate greatly from year to year. In a season of low prices producers are likely to conclude that the vegetable business is being overdone. The next year, perhaps, prices are higher, the gro...

9. Capital Required: The capital required to the acre to equip and operate a vegetable garden or a farm depends upon the following factors: (1) The size of the farm. Small places require relatively more capital than large...

10. Labor Problems: Vegetable growers sometimes think their hours are longer and their hardships greater than those of any other class of husbandmen. It is true that they often work 12 or more hours a day and that they a...

11. Markets: The most important factor to consider in the selection of a location for a general line of trucking or market gardening is the opportunity to dispose of the produce in a satisfactory manner. The large...

12. Soil: Soil is second in importance to market. A gardener is more likely to succeed with a poor soil and a good market than with a good soil and poor market. Favorable soil conditions, though, are exceedingl...

13. Climate: Immense areas are planted in truck crops in various parts of the South because of favorable climatic conditions. The earlier season makes it possible to produce vegetables and place them on northern m...

14. Water Supply: A cheap and abundant supply of pure water should be carefully considered before deciding upon a location. An immense quantity of water is needed to meet the needs of frame and greenhouse crops, to cle...

15. Contour Of Land: Good air drainage is important during frosty nights. Gentle slopes secure such drainage and are also likely to have good soil drainage. Steep hills should be avoided, because they increase the cost of...

16. Aspect: Southern or southeastern exposures are preferred for all types of vegetable gardening. The fuel bill is lighter in greenhouse work and the outdoor crops are earlier. A sunny slope dries off and warms ...

17. Windbreaks: Every experienced fruit grower knows the advantages of windbreaks. At Norfolk, Va., windbreaks of trees are extensively planted. They are especially valuable in the protection of field cucumbers; the ...

18. Roads: No greater mistake can be made than to locate on a poor road. Good roads more than double the value of land for gardening purposes. Mud, ruts, stones and steep hills are enough to discourage the most ...

19. Shipping Facilities: Before engaging in trucking at remote distances from market, shipping facilities should be carefully studied. Two or more lines of transportation are better than one. There should be assurance that bo...

20. Methods Of Selling: Methods Of Selling should also be taken into account. Some systems are greatly superior to others. If supplying a local market, the gardener is saved much annoyance as well as time by placing his wago...

Chapter III. Soils: 25. Classification Of Soils The Bureau of Soils of the United States Department of Agriculture has established a system of soil classification which should be familiar to every student of vegetable...

27. Soil Class: Ibid., p. 16: Soil types which constitute the units of soil classification, may be grouped in different ways. As soils are made up of particles of different sizes, they may be grouped according to th...

28. Soil Series: It has been found that in many parts of the United States the soil classes of a given set are so evidently related through source of material, method of formation, topographic position, and coloratio...

59. Soil Texture: It will be seen from a study of various soil types cited that the value of a soil for trucking purposes is determined largely by its texture. The value of a soil for very early truck depends mainly up...

60. Advantages Of Sand: The soils of the most important trucking regions of the United States contain considerable sand. The advantages of sand in soils for vegetables may be enumerated as follows: (1) The land warms up earl...

65. The Object Of Tillage: So far as soil management is concerned, tillage is the most important operation in vegetable gardening. Both yield and quality are largely determined by the character of the tillage operations. The ob...

66. The Value Of Tillage Implements: The increased price of land, labor and supplies makes it imperative for the gardener to use labor-saving implements, with which the work can usually be done better and cheaper than by any hand method....

67. Plowing: The walking mold-board plow is most commonly used among vegetable gardeners. Sulky gang and sulky disk plows are seldom used, but are becoming more popular. Fall plowing is; practiced extensively b...

68. Harrowing: In making preparation for sowing or transplanting, harrowing follows plowing. The harrow is also used sometimes by truckers in cultivating after the crops have been started. When used in this manner i...

69. Dragging: Figure 1 shows a homemade device known in different sections as a plank drag, float, planker, clod crusher or slicker. It is valuable both as a pulverizer and a leveler. Drags differ greatly in size a...

70. Soil Preparation: Inexperienced gardeners are often undecided as to the best order for tillage operations after plowing. Suppose that a heavy sod has been plowed and that the soil is a clay loam, what tools should be u...

71. Cultivation: All but one of the purposes of tillage are accomplished by cultivation. The efficiency of cultivation for any particular crop depends upon (1) the character of the tool used, (2) when it is used, (3) ...

72. Hoeing: As previously indicated (71), hand hoeing is never so efficient as cultivating with horse implements or wheel hoes. Unless crops are planted in check rows, some hand hoe work is necessary in growing n...

73. Weeding: Weeders are divided into two classes, viz., horse weeders (Fig. 6), and hand weeders (Fig. 7). Horse weeders are useful in cultivating sweet corn, potatoes and a few other crops for a brief period aft...

74. Care Of Tools And Implements: Care largely determines the value and durability of tools and implements. All classes of farmers will do well to observe the following instructions: (1) Keep tools and implements under cover when not ...

75. Extent Used: Stable manures are universally regarded as the most valuable fertilizing materials for the growing of all classes of vegetables upon all types of soils. This is a very broad statement, but it is not l...

76. Manure As A Source Of Humus: Many growers of vegetables would never buy manure were it not for the necessity of maintaining the supply of soil humus. That is, it would be cheaper for thousands of gardeners to purchase commercial ...

77. Manure As A Source Of Plant Food: In many instances manure is the cheapest source of plant food. Gardeners living near the cities often procure it at nominal prices. Under such conditions it would be unwise to make large expenditures ...

83. Cost Of Horse Manure: Prices paid for horse manure vary considerably. A Long'IsIand market gardener is paid over $400 a year to remove the manure daily (except Sunday) from a stable feeding a great many horses. Thus he sec...

84. Transportation Of Manures: Barges are used extensively to carry manure to ports near commercial gardening centers. This is the cheapest method of transportation unless the gardener operates near enough to the stables to haul th...

85. Fresh Manure Versus Rotten Manure: In general farming the best practice is to apply manure to the land as soon as possible after it is produced. This may also be the best policy in certain lines of vegetable farming; as, for example, g...

87. Time Of Application of Manure: The proper time of application depends upon the age, the texture and the kind of manure, the crops to be grown, and the systems and the rotations to be followed. In the growing of truck crops in rotat...

88. Method Of Application of Manure: As indicated in the previous paragraph, coarse manures should be plowed under, while those of fine texture will be most beneficial when used as a top dressing after plowing, especially upon heavy soil...

89. Rate Of Application of Manure: The rate of application varies with the character and the supply of available manure, the character of the soil and the kinds of crops to be grown. In field trucking with such crops as sweet corn and ...

90. Night Soil: Night Soil is a term applied to the human excrements, used extensively in the gardens near Philadelphia and for truck crops near Baltimore. At Baltimore it is taken from vaults and transported on barg...

91. As A Source Of Humus: It has been previously indicated (76) that humus in large amounts is essential to success in every line of vegetable gardening and that stable manure supplies it in the best form. While this is true, ...

92. Extent Used: The growing of green crops and catch crops for manurial purposes has become a general practice in many trucking sections. Marked progress in the use of green manures has been made in New Jersey, where...

93. The Selection Of Crop: In the selection of crops for manurial purposes the following factors should be considered: (1) Adaptation to climate; (2) adaptation to soil; (3) character of plant—whether a legume or a non-legume; ...

104. Necessity Of Commercial Fertilizers: It is not uncommon to find market gardens managed successfully without the use of commercial fertilizers. In all such cases stable manures and perhaps night soil are applied in liberal quantities. Alt...

105. The Use Of Nitrogen: Of the three elements supplied by commercial fertilizers to garden crops, nitrogen is more frequently the limiting factor than either potash or phosphoric acid, because in cultivated soils it is lost ...

106. The Use Of Phosphoric Acid: Phosphoric acid is most essential in growing cereal crops, but it is scarcely less important in vegetable gardening. Soils deficient in phosphorus fail to give large yields and the crops are also slow...

107. The Use Of Potash: Potash is especially important for the root crops, as beets, carrots, turnips, radishes and parsnips. It also enters largely into the composition of many other vegetables. Applications are particularl...

108. Rate Of Application Of Commercial Fertilizers: The rate of application of chemical fertilizers depends upon such factors as (1) the character of the soil, (2) the previous crop grown and the manner in which it was fertilized, (3) the moisture cond...

109. Dangers Of Excessive Applications Of Commercial Fertilizers: When approved methods of soil management are followed, practically no danger attends the use of large amounts of commercial fertilizers. If the amount of vegetable matter decreases and the soil acidit...

110. The Use Of Lime: The necessity of lime has been indicated in previous paragraphs. Malnutrition disease may become serious when lime is not used or when soils become acid. In vegetable gardening it is important to keep...

112. Methods Of Commercial Fertilizer Application: In vegetable gardening commercial fertilizers should be applied after plowing and before much harrowing has been done. The fertilizer will then be mixed thoroughly with the soil in making preparations...

113. Purchasing Fertilizers: It usually pays to buy only high grade fertilizers for vegetable gardening. They should be bought, of course, on guarantee. Not only is it important to know the percentages of the various elements, bu...

114. The Home Mixing Of Fertilizers: Home mixing of fertilizers is increasing in popularity. The following advantages may be mentioned: (1) The grower knows exactly the kind and amount of each ingredient used; (2) he can adapt the mixtur...

115. The Extent Of Irrigation: Irrigation has been developed to a great extent in arid and semi-arid regions of the West, but not until recent years have intensive growers in the East taken a general interest in the subject. The qu...

116. Opportunities For Irrigation: Throughout the eastern part of the United States there are thousands of opportunities for successful irrigation. Creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes furnish an abundant supply of water, which, in many ins...

117. Functions Of Water: Before entering into a practical discussion of the subject of irrigation the student or the reader should fully realize what an important part water plays in the growth of plants. (1) It is a powerful...

118. The Benefits Of Irrigation: Irrigation is an insurance, for rainfall is uncertain, and the gardener never knows when it may become necessary to start the pumps or open the water lines to prevent loss. It is a great satisfaction ...

119. The Furrow Method Of Irrigation: The Furrow Method Of Irrigation is in most general use in the vegetable-growing section of the West and has been used to some extent in the East. The main argument in its favor is that with suitable c...

120. Hose Applications: Rubber hose is often used in making applications of water. At Boston it is a very common method. Three acres may be watered in a day by using a large, open hose, which, with sufficient pressure or pum...

121. Subirrigation: Subirrigation has been investigated at a number of the experiment stations, but has not become generally popular among market gardeners. The details of installment may vary greatly. The pipes are usua...

122. The Overhead System Of Irrigation: The Overhead System Of Irrigation promises to revolutionize garden irrigation in the East. Numerous plans, some of which have been described, have been used to a very limited extent since the early da...

Chapter IX. Insect Enemies And Diseases: 123. Importance Of Controlling Garden Pests The annual loss in the United States to vegetable crops from the depredations of insects and diseases amounts to millions of dollars. Practical growers, ...

125. Spraying Insecticide: Notwithstanding all general preventive measures, spraying is often necessary to avoid heavy damages. The fundamental principle involved is that of protection. If the operator uses an insecticide it se...

128. Insecticides: Insecticides may be divided into three classes, namely: Stomach poisons, contact poisons and repellents. Stomach poisons are used in destroying insects with biting mouth parts; for example, the potato...

136. Miscellaneous Insecticides: Numerous other materials are sometimes used in arresting the ravages of injurious insects. Lime, ashes, bordeaux mixture and sulphur may be classed among insect repellents. A formalin solution prepare...

139. Importance Of Planting Good Seed: Complete success in vegetable gardening is not possible without good seed. The planting of good seed is one of the essentials, and is just as important as proper soil texture, high fertility, frequent...

140. Breeding And Selection: Rawson says (Success in Market Gardening, p. 57) : Perhaps we might truthfully say that the most important of all points in gardening is the right selection of seed; for without good seed the care ...

141. Commercial Seed Growing: In the early days small lots of seed were kept for sale at grocery stores. As the population increased, and farming and gardening became more important, seed supply houses were organized. The first ho...

142. Growing Seeds At Home: It is claimed by many that it does not pay commercial gardeners to grow their own seeds. It is argued that seeds may be purchased from commercial houses at less cost than they can be grown at home; th...

143. Harvesting, Cleaning And Curing: Various methods are pursued in the harvesting and cleaning of garden seeds, and further instructions are given in the chapter devoted to the various classes of vegetables. Seeds should not be harve...

144. Preservation Of Seeds: Seeds may be stored in either cloth or paper bags. The greatest enemy to the preservation of seeds is moisture, but the conditions in an ordinary living room are satisfactory, although neither high no...

150. Seed Testing: Seeds may be tested to determine their purity, trueness to name or type and their viability or power to grow. As most garden seeds do not contain impurities, testing for this purpose is of little impo...

151. The Longevity Of Seeds: The life of seeds depends upon (1) the kind of vegetables, (2) conditions under which they were grown, (3) thoroughness of curing and (4) storage conditions. In some years seeds lose their vitality mo...

152. The Necessity Of Glass: In nearly all types of vegetable gardening glass is essential to secure the best returns. It is true that many crops, as sweet corn, cabbage, peas, beans and the root crops, are grown at a profit with...

153. The Extent Used: Before greenhouses became so popular as they are today, hotbeds were universally employed whenever glass was required to start early plants. Although hotbeds, in many cases, have been replaced by gree...

154. Location And Arrangement: Hotbeds should be located so that a liberal supply of water is accessible. The most convenient plan so far as water is concerned is to install the overhead system of irrigation (122) and also to make ...

155. The Pit: Most hotbeds are heated by the fermentation of manures in pits excavated for this purpose. The first essential of the pit is good drainage, natural or artificial. Artificial drainage may be provided b...

156. The Frame: The frame may be made of wood, concrete, brick or stone. The most common material is wood, although concrete is more durable. Of the woods, locust, cedar and chestnut make the most durable frames. A c...

157. Sash: The most durable wood should be used in making hotbed and cold frame sash. Cedar or cypress is usually employed. Many of the old sash now in use were made of white pine. However, it is a mistake to ha...

158. Manure And Its Preparation: Practically all manure hotbeds are made with horse manure. Poultry and sheep manures are also desirable, although they are too valuable in fertilizing garden crops to be used for this purpose. Spent h...

160. Other Types Of Manure Hotbeds: The pit is sometimes dug a foot wider than the frame is to be and not lined with boards, as previously described (156). Portable frames are placed on top of the manure, which is about even with the su...

161. Heating Frames By The Use Of Flues: Many growers heat their frames by a system of flues leading from a furnace burning wood or coal. The plan is regarded as more economical than the hotbed method, and the results, with proper management...

162. Heating With Steam And Hot Water: A frame piped and heated by steam is shown in Figure 21. Hot water may be used in the same way. When heated by either method, mats may be dispensed with. The principles of steam or hot water heating m...

Chapter XII. Construction Of Cold Frames: 164. Location And Arrangemen Cold frames are generally used without artificial heat. It is important that they be well sheltered from north and west winds. As a rule they are used later in the spri...

166. The Frame: Cold frames are less expensive to make than hotbeds. Their construction is more economical in three particulars: (1) Excavation is not necessary when vegetable plants are grown. (2) Heating material i...

168. Heating: Cold frames are sometimes piped and heated with steam or hot water (162). They may then be used at any season, and with their use the grower can have good control of all conditions which count for suc...

171. Greenhouses, Extent Used: Greenhouses are in far more general use among market gardeners than they were 10 or 15 years ago. They have become especially numerous near railroad lines affording satisfactory shipping facilities an...

172. Advantages Of Greenhouses: If forced vegetables can be made profitable in connection with market gardening, there should be no hesitation in constructing greenhouses. They enable the grower to keep in touch with the market the ...

173. The Size Of Greenhouses: The proper size of a greenhouse must be determined by a number of factors. It is never a safe policy to build a large house or an extensive range of houses without thorough experience in greenhouse wo...

174. Location And Position Of Greenhouses: While the natural protection of woods or hills on the north and the west sides is highly desirable, greenhouses should not be constructed where they will be shaded by other buildings. The position ...

175. Materials Used In Construction Of Greenhouses: Serviceability, durability, and economical construction and operation are the main points to keep in mind when building greenhouses. No one denies that the full iron form of construction is the most d...

177. Forms Of Greenhouses: Lean-to, side-hill, even-span and three-quarter span are the distinct forms of greenhouse construction. The lean-to house is the most inexpensive type to construct, and it is often highly satisfactory...

182. Ventilators In Greenhouses: Provision must be made for ample ventilation. The most approved plan is to have a line of vents on both sides of the ridge. If devices are used to prevent the ventilating sash from binding, there is n...

183. Beds, Benches And Walks: A few years ago greenhouse growers thought it essential to provide benches with bottom heat for practically all greenhouse crops, but the opinions held today are different. In many of the largest and ...

184. Steam Versus Hot Water Heating: Hot water is unquestionably the best system for heating small houses, and there are many arguments in its favor for large ranges of houses. If pumps or a pressure system are used to secure rapid circu...

185. Pipes And Piping: Formerly, 4-inch cast iron pipe was used extensively and rust joints were in common use. Wrought iron pipe is now generally employed, and it is always threaded—an advantage that makes installation mor...

188. Soil Selection And Preparation: Oxygen, heat and moisture are the requirements for germination, but successful results are largely dependent upon proper soil selection and preparation. Many kinds of seeds cannot germinate in stiff c...

189. Moisture Conditions: Proper moisture conditions previous to sowing may be secured in various ways. Fall plowing is often a great advantage in this respect, particularly in the heavier types of soil. There should be no unn...

191. When To Sow: Experience counts for more than anything else in determining the proper dates for sowing different kinds of seed. A great many factors must be considered, but one of the most important is market condi...

194. Depth Of Sowing: There are no infallible rules to determine the proper depth for sowing. Certain writers have advocated the regulation of soil covering by the diameter of the seed; that is, by making the covering two,...

196. Broadcasting Or Drilling: Some crops may be grown from seed sown broadcast, but this is impossible with plants requiring frequent cultivation. Thousands of farmers always broadcast turnip seed, while drilling is a common pract...

197. Hand Sowing: Sowing by hand in the open ground is commonly practiced by home vegetable gardeners. Lines or markers should be used at such times to secure straight rows. The furrows may be opened with a small shove...

198. Sowing With Machines: Seed sowers or drills are now indispensable in commercial gardening, because they do the work so much better and more rapidly than is possible by hand sowing. The seeds are deposited before the soil h...

199. Firming The Soil: It is nearly always an advantage to firm the soil after sowing. By this operation the seed is brought into close contact with the soil particles which furnish the moisture necessary for germination. C...

200. Watering After Sowing: With an overhead system of irrigation it is often an advantage to water after sowing. In the management of crops under glass, the beds are nearly always watered thoroughly after sowing. The usual plan...

201. Shading The Seed Bed: Some soils dry out more rapidly than others, and some. Fig. 30. lath screen seeds must have a more uniform supply of moisture than others.For these reasons shading is often an advantage. In o...

202. Reasons For Transplanting: There are many important reasons for transplanting: (i) Some crops can be matured much earlier by starting the plants in hotbeds or greenhouses, transplanting in about a month and finally setting in t...

203. Soil Selection And Preparation: Whether transplanting to the field or under glass, a fine soil is of prime importance. The same principle is here involved as in the germination of seeds. Unless the fine particles of moist soil come ...

204. When To Plant: The time of transplanting will depend, first, upon the time of sowing and, second, upon when the space will be available for the shifted plants. These two points are usually determined months before t...

205. Markers And Marking: Straight rows and spaces of uniform width are necessary in the successful management of a market garden. They not only look better, but they also allow more rapid and thorough cultivation with less an...

206. Depth To Transplant: Plants should generally be set slightly deeper than they stood in the seed bed. It is often an advantage to cover the stem up to the seed leaves. It is especially important to set spindly plants deep,...

207. Transplanting By Hand: Various devices are used for hand transplanting. The usual tools are the dibbers and the trowels, illustrated in Figures 33 and 34. The dibbers are especially valuable for light or sandy soils, while ...

208. Watering Transplants: As previously indicated, it is often an advantage to water ground before transplanting. This is not possible on most farms, so that good judgment and great care must be exercised to conserve the prope...

210. Transplanting With Machines: Transplanting machines, as illustrated in Figure 39, are in general use for setting vegetables, especially cabbage and tomato plants. They do the work better and more rapidly than is commonly done by ...

211. Soil Supply: Soils for growing early vegetable plants should absorb water readily and dry quickly on the surface. A sandy loam furnishes ideal conditions. Heavier soils can be improved by the addition of sand and ...

212. Flats And Plant Boxes: Flats are often used in greenhouses, and they are practically indispensable when starting plants in hotbeds and cold frames. Notwithstanding this, many gardeners do not use them extensively, for they ...

213. Mats And Shutters: Various kinds of mats are used to protect plants in hotbeds and cold frames. In some sections lath crates about 3 inches thick, stuffed with fine hay or sea weeds, are used for this purpose. They furn...

214. Sowing: Chapter XXI gives information on the proper dates for sowing. When flats are used in sowing cabbage, lettuce, tomato, pepper, parsley and other seeds, the operation should be carried out in the fol...

215. Care Of Seedlings: Proper temperatures must be provided for the growing seedlings. If too high, the plants will be spindly, soft and tender. Some fresh air should be admitted to the hotbed or the greenhouse every day. W...

216. Transplanting Vegitables: Some growers begin transplanting a few days after germination, but it is generally better to start the work in three or four weeks from sowing, or when the true leaves are forming. If many plants are ...

217. Care After Transplanting: If the soil was made sufficiently moist before planting, little or no water is needed immediately after. The boxes may be taken to the hotbed or the greenhouse or placed in the cold frame, as may be r...

218. The Use Of Mats: Mats are essential in the frame culture of early vegetable plants in the North, although double glass sash are used without mats in the milder sections. Mats should be placed on the sash about 4 o'clo...

219. Hardening Plants: This process is the firming of the tissues in order that the plants will be able to endure the hardships of transplanting and of open-ground conditions such as freezing, hard drying winds or hot sunsh...

220. Pots, Sods And Other Devices: As previously stated (202), some plants, as melons, cucumbers, beans and sweet corn, are difficult to transplant because they contain so few fibrous rootlets. It is often an advantage, however, to sta...

221. Modern Methods Of Marketing: The commercial grower desires, of course, to make maximum profits. He has for years been acting upon the assumption that if he produces a large crop of the best quality and places it upon the market i...

222. The Principles Involved In Marketing: The ultimate aim of both grower and salesman should be to satisfy the consumer. This is the fundamental principle involved in the successful disposition of all kinds of produce, and obedience to it se...

223. Harvesting: Some classes of vegetables, as sweet potatoes, are harvested at one time; that is, the entire crop on a given area is removed the same day, perhaps, and the ground is then available for something else...

224. Facilities For Packing: Vegetables are sometimes packed in the field where grown, when they do not need to be washed or handled very much before packing. There are serious objections, however, to field packing which as a rul...

225. Preparation For Market: After the vegetables are received at the packing house several operations are necessary before they can be ready for packing. Many different classes of vegetables, as beets, carrots and other root cro...

226. Packages: Many factors must be considered when selecting packages: (1) The most advantageous size must be determined. This is an age of small packages, which are gaining in popularity among both vegetable growe...

227. Grading: Careful grading is imperative for discriminating markets. Uniformity in size, shape, color, markings and ripeness count for more than most growers realize. Eighty bushels of tomatoes properly graded w...

228. Packing: There are three main considerations in the packing of vegetables after they have been cleaned and graded and a desirable package selected. (1) The appearance of the product must be attractive when ...

229. Advertising: All classes of producers find that it pays to advertise. If you have something to sell that is really good, let people know about it. If you are selling vegetables that you know will please dealer or ...

230. Market Wagons: The size of the market wagon will be determined by the number of horses to be used, character of the road, method of selling and volume of produce to be handled. The carrying capacity of a one-horse w...

231. Auto-Trucks: Market gardeners and truckers in various parts of the country are beginning to use auto trucks for delivering vegetables. This form of transportation is especially desirable for long hauls and when th...

232. Transportation By Rail: Enormous quantities of vegetables are transported by the steam railways of the country, shipments being made by freight and express. It is not common to find solid trains of a single kind of vegetable...

233. Transportation By Water: Boats are used to a considerable extent in the transportation of vegetables. At Norfolk, Va., many truckers own gasolene boats, which are used in carrying produce to the large steamers. Loading procee...

234. Selling To The Consumer: When a limited area is cultivated it is often an advantage to sell direct to the consumer, because the gross receipts will be larger than when selling at wholesale. The most common methods are to sell...

235. Selling To Retailer: There are four methods of supplying retailers. (1) To sell to stores or marketmen; (2) to ship to city retailers; (3) to sell in a wholesale market and (4) to sell at the farm. By selling to retailers...

236. Selling To Wholesaler: This method of selling makes it possible to operate on the largest scale. The vegetables are hauled to market on big wagons, or liberal consignments are made by train or boat. The grower may cultivate...

337. Distribution: The question of distribution is one of the most important and most difficult problems in commercial vegetable gardening. The main cause of market slumps is uneven distribution. The supply of a given v...

Chapter XVIII. Co-Operative Associations: 238. History Co-operative associations among commercial vegetable growers have been developed mainly within the past 15 years, for with the rapid extension of the gardening industry co-operation ...

Chapter XIX. The Storage Of Vegetables: 252. Does Storing Pay The storing of vegetables often requires a large amount of extra labor in handling the crops; many necessary facilities must be provided; there is always more or less ...

260. Methods Of Classification: The grouping of vegetables gives the student a better understanding of the character, requirements and uses of the various crops. The arrangement based solely upon botanical relationship is the most e...

Artichoke—Globe (Cynara Scolymus). 262. Uses: The globe artichoke is seldom found in American gardens. The edible parts are the base of the flower heads and the midribs of the large blanched leaves; the latter are called chards. The flower head ...

Artichoke—Jerusalem (Helianthus Tuberosus). 264. Uses: The Jerusalem artichoke is produced to a very limited extent for American markets. It is native to the northern part of the United States and to parts of Canada. Although the tubers, which constitute ...

Asparagus (Asparagus Officinalis): 266. History The edible species of asparagus is indigenous to temperate Europe and Asia. History records its culture at least 200 years before the Christian era. The Romans and the Greeks not only ...

272. Asparagus Seed Selection: The most successful asparagus growers of the old world have for centuries practiced seed selection. The experts of several hundred years ago may have possessed limited knowledge of the laws of plant b...

273. Propagation Of Asparagus: It is universally conceded that a strong one-year-old crown is superior to older crowns. The roots of two-year plants are seriously mutilated when dug, and the younger plant becomes established more q...

274. Asparagus Plant Selection: In seed production, the importance of selecting proper plants, then the best berries on the chosen plants, and, finally, the large, plump seeds, has been emphasized. Selection again plays an important...

275. White And Green Asparagus: When rows of asparagus are ridged to the usual height, the shoots must make an additional growth of 5 to 10 inches before they reach the light, and if cut as soon as the tips appear above ground, the ...

277. Fertilizing Asparagus: Earliness, high quality and large size are the factors that count for the most in securing remunerative prices, and liberal and intelligent feeding bear a direct relation to each of these requisites. ...

278. Asparagus Planting Distances: When the most intensive methods are followed, the rows are made closer together than when the crop is grown on a large scale. It is held by many growers that close planting necessarily results in smal...

279. Planting Asparagus: Fall planting is occasionally practiced, but spring planting is universally regarded better. After the ground has been plowed and thoroughly harrowed, deep furrows must be made preparatory to setting ...

281. Harvesting Asparagus: There is an increased tendency to cut a small percentage of the shoots the second year. The majority of growers regard it a mistake to cut before the third year, and yet there are examples of growers ...

282. Marketing Asparagus: Asparagus shoots may be washed before or after bunching. Although both methods have their advocates, it is pleasanter to handle the washed stalks, and cleaning may be done more thoroughly before bunch...

284. The Age Of Asparagus Plantations: There are asparagus beds in England, and probably in this country, more than half a century old. It is not uncommon to find beds 20 to 30 years old producing profitable crops. In all such cases, howev...

285. The Common Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris Asparagi): The Common Asparagus Beetle (Crioceris Asparagi) is by far the most troublesome of the insect enemies of asparagus. Both the larvae and the beetles feed on the shoots, which are thus lowered in market...

286. Other Insect Enemies For Asparagus: The 12-spotted asparagus beetle (Crioceris 12-punctata) is a serious enemy sometimes. It is controlled in practically the same manner as the common asparagus beetle. The Asparagus miner (Agramyza simp...

Bean (Vicia, Phaseolus): 288. History The Broad bean (Vicia faba), believed to have originated in southwestern Asia, was known in ancient times. It is produced largely in Europe for stock feeding, and also grown to a ...

Bean (Vicia, Phaseolus). Part 2: 293. Keys And Descriptions The twelfth annual report of the Missouri Botanical Garden, pp. 81-165 (also published in separate pamphlet form under the title of Garden Beans), and Bulletin No. 260 ...

Bean (Vicia, Phaseolus). Part 3: Notwithstanding these facts, beans exhibit great differences in their power to withstand heat and cold. The seeds of some decay more quickly than others when the soil is cool and moist. Some are more ...

305. Fertilizing Beans: It is generally conceded that the mineral elements are of greatest importance in the growing of beans. This is unquestionably true with the field class and late-maturing varieties which have the entir...

307. Planting Field Beans: Early planting is not recommended for any of the varieties of field beans. The bbjections are: (1) There is danger of the seeds rotting before germinating; (2) if the plants appear too soon frost may ...

308. Planting Dwarf, Snap And Green Shell Beans: Earliness is an important factor in the culture of snap beans and both home and commercial gardeners are usually willing to take some risks in getting an early start. The first planting may be killed ...

312. Cultivation Of Beans: If hard rains occur, causing the soil to bake before the seeds have germinated, the crust should be broken by the use of a weeder. This tool is also used to some extent after the plants are up. Some o...

313. Harvesting Beans: Garden beans must be picked by hand. When grown on a large scale a great many pickers are required. Colored labor is used almost entirely for this work in the South. Figure 61 shows a large force harv...

314. Marketing Beans: In the districts producing large amounts of field beans the threshed product is delivered by the farmers at elevators or special bean houses managed by dealers who attend to the work of cleaning, grad...

Insect Enemies Of Beans: 316. Bean Weevil (Bruchus Obtectus) While the bean has a number of insect enemies, the weevil is the most destructive. This insect is about 1/8 inch long and covered with fine brown, gray and ...

Beet (Beta Vulgaris): 318. History And Importance The plant from which the various types of beets have been originated is native to the sea coast of South Europe. Cultivated forms have been grown for more than two ...

321. Varieties Of Beets: Twenty-three varieties of beets were described by Goff (Sixth Report of the New York Station, pp. 120-132). They are grouped under four general classes; namely, root oblate or top-shaped, root oval, r...

322. Planting Beets: The beet seed sold in the United States is produced in California, the Middle States, England and France. A small percentage of market gardeners grow their own seed. As the plant is biennial, in order...

323. Fertilizing Beets: Beets must grow rapidly to mature early and to develop the highest quality. To accomplish these purposes there must be an ample supply of soluble plant food, especially of nitrogen Fresh or green stab...

325. Marketing Beets: Early beets are usually sold on local markets before they have attained full size, because the market accepts a small tender beet, and the grower desires to clear the land as soon as possible for some...

326. Insect Enemies Of Beets: Although about 200 species of insects feed upon the beet, most of them are unimportant. Flea beetles are the most destructive pests. Bordeaux mixture is the best-known deterrent for these insects. Par...

Broccoli (Brassica Oleracea, Var. Botrytis): 328. Character Botanically, broccoli closely resembles cauliflower, although the heads are usually smaller. In England, where many varieties are grown, there is great variation in the leaves and ...

Brussels Sprouts (Brassica Oleracea, Var. Gemmifera): 331. Character Brussels sprouts is one of the many variations of cabbage. Instead of a single head at the top of the stem, a large bud or miniature head is borne in the axil of each leaf, so that ...

Cabbage (Brassica Oleracea, Var. Capitata): 334. History In its wild state the cabbage is found on the sea cliffs of western and southern Europe and on the coasts of the English Channel. It has been known from earliest antiquity and was ...

337. Classification Of Cabbage: The various methods of classification suggested are unsatisfactory. Market gardeners often speak of varieties as being early, midseason and late. This system of grouping, however, means little, for th...

345. Source Of Cabbage Seed: For years, Long Island has been furnishing the bulk of the seed of all varieties except the Danish Ball Head. Seed of this variety is almost entirely imported from Holland and Denmark. Seedsmen and gr...

346. Cabbage Seed Growing: To make proper selection of plants for seed purposes the heads should be nearly mature. A common practice among large growers is to sow so late in the season that only a small percentage of the heads ...

349. Growing Early Cabbage Plants: There are at least five distinct methods of growing early cabbage plants: (1) From Baltimore, southward, the general practice is to sow in the open, usually in October, and when six to eight weeks old...

350. Growing Late Cabbage Plants: Glass is not required in growing late plants. The common practice is to sow in the open, and transplant directly to field or garden. Many failures are due to the use of inferior plants. It is importan...

353. Composition Of Cabbage: The Maryland Station (Maryland Station Bulletin 133 (1909), p. 197) has made a thorough study of the chemical composition of the cabbage. The following tables are adapted from the report upon this sub...

356. Transplanting Cabbage In The Field: A moist soil and damp, cloudy weather are most favorable to transplanting in the field. The plants should not be checked more than necessary and an effort should be made to retain as much soil as poss...

359. Harvesting Cabbage: When the demand is great and prices high, it requires patience to wait until the early crop is fully ready to market. The fact is that a large percentage of early cabbage is cut before the heads becom...

360. Marketing Cabbage: As previously stated, southern cabbage is nearly always sold by the crate or the barrel, and these methods are common among growers in the North. The crate is the best package because of its perfect v...

361. Storing Cabbage: A large percentage of the late crop is stored and sold during winter and early spring. Success in storing depends largely upon the variety. The flat or domestic cabbages, as Flat Dutch, keep only fair...

362. Yields And Returns Of Cabbage: Yields vary from a few tons to 25 tons an acre; even larger yields have been secured from small areas of high fertility. With approved methods it should not be less than 15 tons an acre. A Colorado gr...

363. The Cabbage Maggot (Pegomya Brassicae): The Cabbage Maggot (Pegomya Brassicae) was introduced from Europe early in the nineteenth century. It feeds upon various cruciferous plants, but is espedaily troublesome to cabbage and cauliflower. Ch...

364. The Cabbage Aphis (Aphis Brassicae): The Cabbage Aphis (Aphis Brassicae), also known as the cabbage louse, has been known in America for over a century, and has become disseminated throughout the country. Its destructiveness varies great...

365. The Imported Cabbage Worm (Pontia Rapae): The Imported Cabbage Worm (Pontia Rapae) is generally recognized to be the most important insect enemy of cabbage and several closely related crops. The pest was first seen in North America in i860 at...

366. Other Insect Enemies Of Cabbage: The southern cabbage butterfly (Pontia protodice)y the cross-striped cabbage worm (Evergestis rimosalis), the common cabbage looper (Autographa brassicae), the imported cabbage web-worm, the harlequin...

368. Black Rot (Pseudotnonas Campestris): This bacterial rot is very generally disseminated, frequently spreading over large areas in cabbage-growing districts, and causing heavy losses. The disease also affects cauliflower, kohl-rabi, kale, ...

369. Other Diseases Of Cabbage: Although club root and black rot are the most important diseases of the cabbage, the following cause more or less trouble: Leaf-spot (Sphaerella brassicaecola); stem canker and drop (Phoma oleracea) ;...

370. Sauerkraut: It is often desirable to make kraut when the market is weak, or when there is a considerable quantity of soft and burst cabbage. The process is very simple. After removing the cores and outside leaves...

Carrot (Daucus Carota): 371. History And Importance The carrot, a native to Europe, has been in cultivation for 2,000 years. This vegetable is far more appreciated by Europeans than by Americans. It is not only grown ...

374. Varieties Of Carrot: If the season is long, and early varieties are planted, the roots may send up flower stalks the first year. In such cases the carrot is an annual. The late varieties are biennial. The roots of the wil...

375. Planting Carrot: Most of the carrot seed used in the United States is grown in England, France and Germany. When the roots are wanted for seed production they must be properly preserved over winter and planted in the ...

Cauliflower (Brassica Oleracea, Var. Botrytis): 380. History Cauliflower is of European origin and has probably been developed from broccoli. It is generally regarded as the most refined and the most delicate member of the cabbage family. When ...

Celeriac Or Turnip-Rooted Celery (Apium Graveolens, Var. Rapaceum): 395. Culture This umbelliferous plant belongs to the celery species. The root is the edible part. It is used for flavoring, as a salad and for cooking, like other root crops. The roots vary in ...

Celery (Apium Graveolens): 396. History The wild celery is native to southern England, Europe and Asia. Very little is known concerning its early history, but it was probably not cultivated until after the Middle Ages. The ...

401. Soils For Growing Celery: The great commercial plantations of celery in the states bordering on the Great Lakes, in California and in Florida are upon muck soils. In Florida these areas are known as hammock soils and saw-gr...

403. Propagation Of Celery: It is seldom best to sow for the early crop before March 1 in most northern sections., If sown earlier, special care must be exercised to avoid checking the growth before the plants are set in the fie...

407. Planting Celery: As previously explained, plants for the early crop should not be set in the open until after danger of severe frosts. In most sections planting should not occur until May 10 or 15. Strong, vigorous pl...

408. Cultivation Of Celery: The ground should be cultivated as soon as possible after transplanting, precaution being taken not to throw any soil on the hearts of the plants. As celery is a shallow-rooted crop, tillage should ne...

411. Blanching Celery: The market in this country demands well-blanched celery, which is secured by requiring the plants to grow when the leaf stalks are in darkness or subdued light. Growth under such conditions destroys t...

412. Harvesting Celery: The proper time to harvest is determined by the size of the plants, the thoroughness of blanching, prices and the weather conditions. The market will sometimes pay better prices for very early celery,...

413. Marketing Celery: In many instances the crop is shipped in the rough direct from the field to city storage houses, where the plants are trimmed and washed by the commission dealers before shipping or delivering to reta...

414. Storing Celery: For the successful storage of celery the air should be kept cool and fairly moist. This crop should be stored before hard freezing weather and the tops should be dry when the plants are stored. Ventil...

Diseases And Insects Of Celery: 416. Insects The aromatic flavor of celery seems to serve as a repellent to insects, for this vegetable has no serious enemy. The following insects are sometimes troublesome: Grasshoppers, celery ...

Chard (Beta Vulgaris): 418. Character And Uses This vegetable is also known as Swiss chard, silver beet and leaf beet. The leaves are thick and broad and the leaf stalks large and fleshy. (Figure 81.) It is one of our ...

Chicory, Chive And Collard: Chicory (Cichorium Intybus) 420. Character And Uses Chicory is a well-known European vegetable. It is used to some extent in the large American cities. The roots are cooked like carrots, and whe...

Corn Salad (Valerianella Olitoria): 425. Character And Uses This is an annual plant popular in Europe. It finds limited sale in this country. The leaves have a mild flavor and are valued for salad purposes, for greens and seasoning, ...

Cucumber (Cucumis Sativis): 430. History Am. Importance The cucumber is one of the oldest of our cultivated vegetables. It has been cultivated in India for at least 3,000 years, but according to DeCandolle was not introduced ...

438. Fertilizing Cucumber: Large yields of high quality are greatly favored by a constant, unchecked growth, accomplished by providing proper physical as well as chemical properties of the soil. The roots attain the best develo...

Dandelion Or Dill: Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale) 445. Importance The wild dandelion is frequently used as greens, but the leaves are much inferior to those of cultivated varieties, which are larger and often cu...

Eggplant (Solatium Melongena): 448. History And Importance The eggplant is thought to have been originated in the East Indies, although there is no definite information concerning its early history. It is generally grown in ...

Endive (Cichoriutn Endiva): 461. Importance This plant, which is probably native to East India, is produced more extensively for European than for American markets. It is not generally grown in the home gardens of the United ...

Garlic (Allium Sativum): 466. Importance This perennial, which is native to southern Europe, is a member of the onion family, but is much stronger than the onion in flavor. It is used mainly for flavoring, especially by ...

Horse-Radish (Cochlearia Armoracia): 468. History And Importance This garden perennial of the mustard family had its origin in some eastern European country. Later it became naturalized in Great Britain, growing wild along streams, ...

Kale Or Borecole (Brassica Oleracea Acephala): 475. History And Importance Kale is grown extensively near Norfolk, Va., and to some extent on Long Island. Market gardeners occasionally grow small quantities, and sometimes it is seen in home ...

Kohl-Rabi (Brassica Oleracea Caulorapa): 481. Importance This vegetable is often called the Turnip-Rooted cabbage. It is closely related to the cabbage and just as easily grown. The stem, which is the edible part, is greatly enlarged ...

Leek (Allium Porrum): 485. Importance This member of the onion family produces a sheaf of leaves (Figure 83) rather than a bulb. The sheaf is made up of the lower parts of the flat leaves, is solid and, when well ...

Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa): 487. History This species, which has never been found in the wild state, is thought to be a modification of Lactuca scariola, which is indigenous to parts of Europe. Asia and Africa. The Greeks ...

Lettuce (Lactuca Sativa). Continued: 491. Soil Warm, sandy soils when properly fertilized are preferable for growing the very early crop; sandy loams furnish the best conditions for all classes of lettuce. Head lettuce never thrives ...

Martynia (Martynia Proboscidea): 501. Importance This annual is a native of the southwestern United States. The coarse plants have a spreading habit and produce fruit of the peculiar shape shown in Figure 86. The young tender ...

Mint (Mentha): 503. Importance Peppermint, Spearmint and Japanese Mint are aromatic herbs, grown to a fig. 86. martynia limited extent in American gardens. Peppermint is used in confectionery and medicine and ...

Muskmelon (Cucumis Melo): 505. History The muskmelon, a native to southern Asia, cultivated by the ancients, has been grown for many centuries in European countries and is now a popular vegetable in many parts of the world....

509. Climatic Requirements Of Muskmelon: The muskmelon is much more susceptible to the effects of cold than the cucumber or the squash. It will not stand frost and demands rather high summer temperatures for the most satisfactory results. As...

512. Starting Early Muskmelon Plants: The general custom is to plant the seed in the field, but as this cannot be done until the ground is thoroughly warm and there is no further danger of frost, many growers have found it profitable to s...

515. Planting Muskmelon: As previously stated, neither plants nor seeds should be risked in the field until the ground is thoroughly warm and there is no danger of frost. When the plants have been started under glass they mus...

517. Marketing Muskmelon: The time of picking depends mainly upon the distance from market. If to be sold locally, the melons should be allowed to ripen fully on the vine. When for distant shipment, the usual plan is to pick t...

Mustard (Brassica): 522. Importance Mustard is a member of the cabbage family. It is used as a salad plant, often with cress, and also for greens. The seeds are used in the manufacture of the mustard of commerce. ...

Okra Or Gumbo (Hibiscus Esculent Us): 524. Importance This hot weather perennial is grown to a considerable extent in the South, and in a limited way in the North. The young, tender pods are used mainly in soups and stews, although ...

Onion (Allium Cepa): 526. History The onion has been grown since remote antiquity. The oldest historic records frequently refer to its culture and its use as an article of food. It probably originated in the southern ...

529. Varieties Of Onion: In the selection of varieties the following factors should be considered: (1) Time of maturity. Earliness is often an important matter. (2) The size of the bulb. (3) Color of the bulb. The eastern mar...

530. Climatic Requirements For Onion: Fortunately, it is possible to select varieties suitable to a wide range of climatic conditions. The most tender sorts of the foreign types, as the Bermuda onions, thrive in some parts of Texas, Flori...

534. Fertilizing Onion: An analysis of the Southport White Globe onion shows that 2,000 pounds of the mature bulbs contain 2.70 pounds of nitrogen, 0.92 pounds of phosphoric acid and 2.09 pounds of potash. The average legal ...

536. The Transplanting Methods For Onion: The Transplanting Method, known as the new onion culture, was developed simultaneously in 1888 and 1889 by T. Greiner of New York state and professor W. J. Green of the Ohio Experiment Station. It con...

538. Cultivation Of Onion: As the onion is a shallow-rooted plant, care must be taken not to injure the roots by deep tillage. When hard rains incrust the soil before seeds have germinated, light raking or rolling will be an ad...

540. Harvesting Onion: When the bulbs are to be stored they will keep better if allowed to become fully ripe before pulling. Figure 93 illustrates a field of onions in ideal condition for harvesting; the tops are dead and s...

541. Storing Onions: Onions should not be stored until thoroughly cured. Soft and immature bulbs and bulbs with thick necks should be sold when gathered, because they will not keep well. A bright appearance is an importan...

542. Marketing Onions: The bulbs are usually separated into three grades: Primes, which include bulbs 1 1/4 inches in diameter and larger; seconds, which are from 3/4 inch to 1 1/4 inches in diameter; and picklers, which pa...

547. Bunching Onions: Immense quantities of onions are bunched when the tops are green and sold from early spring until midsummer. In the South, white and yellow multipliers are used; in the North, sets grown from seed and...

Parsley (Carum Petroselinum): 550. Importance This biennial umbellifer, found wild in the south of Europe, was introduced into the English gardens in 1548. The crop is of limited commercial importance in the United States. It ...

Parsnip (Pastinaca Sativa): 552. Culture The parsnip is an important root crop, belonging to the family of Umbelliferae. It is closely related to parsley, carrot and celery. The roots are boiled, fried and used in soups and ...

Pea (Pisum Sativum): 553. History Decandolle (Origin of Cultivated Plants, p. 330) makes the following statement in regard to the origin of the garden pea: The species seems to have existed in western Asia, perhaps ...

Pepper (Capsicum Annuum): 564. History According to De Candolle, the pepper probably originated in Brazil. It is now grown in many countries in nearly all parts of the world. 565. Importance The pepper is increasing ...

Radish (Raphanus Annuum): 575. History The radish, which has been cultivated since earliest historic times, is indigenous to the temperate regions of the old world (De Candolle, Origin of Cultivated Plants, p. 29). ...

Rhubarb (Rheum Rhaponticum): 583. History And Importance Rhubarb is indigenous to eastern Asia. It belongs to the buckwheat family, Polygonaceae, and is a highly popular herbaceous perennial vegetable, being grown in nearly ...

Rutabaga (Brassica Campestris): 591. Culture It is also known as Swedish Turnip and in England as Turnip-Rooted Cabbage. In composition and character of growth it is very similar to kohlrabi (page 349), and requires ...

Sage (Salvia Officinalis): 592. Importance Sage is a shrubby perennial, the fresh and dried leaves of which are used extensively for flavoring meats. 593. Culture It is propagated by cuttings, layers, division of the ...

Salsify (Tragopogon Porrifolius): 594. Importance Salsify, also known as the oyster plant or vegetable oyster, because of its flavor, is not generally used by vegetable consumers. The plant is native to southern Europe, ...

Savory Or Shallot: Savory 596. Culture There are two kinds of savory, Summer (Satureia hortensis) and Winter (Satureia montana). The former is an annual; the latter a hardy perennial. Both species are grown for th...

Spinach (Spinacea Oleracca): 598. History This plant, which is considered native to southwestern Asia, was probably introduced into Europe during the fifteenth century. There is no assurance that it was known to the Greeks or ...

Pumpkin And Squash: Pumpkin (Cucurbita) 574. Culture For cultural directions, see Squash and Watermelon. Sweet pumpkins are sometimes grown on a small scale for commercial purposes. Squash 602. History The...

Sweet Corn (Zea Mays): 610. Importance This vegetable of American origin, developed from common field corn or maize, is of great commercial importance. It is very generally grown throughout the country and our markets ...

Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas): 623. History There is no definite knowledge of the origin of the sweet potato, although it is believed the plant is native to the West Indies and Central America. 624. Botany The sweet ...

Sweet Potato (Ipomoea Batatas). Part 2: Florida The vines of the Florida variety are large and vigorous. The potatoes are rather large, light salmon yellow, smooth and regular, of short spindle shape, with light yellow flesh. This variet...

630. Propagation Of Sweet Potato: Sweet potatoes are usually propagated by means of slips, also known as sets and draws. The tubers are first bedded in fine soil, with proper heat and moisture. The potatoes sprout and produce ro...

632. Fertilizing Sweet Potato: A yield of 200 bushels an acre will require, for the tubers alone, 30 pounds of nitrogen, 10 pounds of phosphoric acid and 45 pounds of potash. While these figures indicate the need of rather large am...

Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris): 641. Culture Thyme (Figure 105) is a popular herb used for seasoning. It may be propagated by means of seeds, root divisions and layers. The plants should stand about 6 inches apart in the row, ...

Tomato (Lycopersicum Esculentum): 642. History The tomato is native to South America. It was grown by the aborigines. There is abundant evidence that the varieties first cultivated in European countries originated in America. ...

647. Varieties Of Tomato: Varieties change so rapidly from year to year that it is scarcely worth while to do more than mention the names of varieties prominent today, but which may not be known 10 years from now. There are ex...

649. Starting Early Tomato Plants: The proper time to sow depends upon: (1) The facilities available for growing the plants; (2) climatic conditions; (3) purpose of the crop; (4) land available; and (5) market conditions. In most insta...

652. Fertilizing Tomatoes: As soils and methods of soil treatment vary greatly on different farms where tomatoes are grown, it is useless to attempt much more than a general discussion of this subject. There is an antiquated id...

653. Planting Tomato: Tomato plants should be set in the open ground with as little check in growth as possible. If properly grown and hardened, there should be practically no wilting or checking of growth when the transfe...

655. Training Tomato Plants: The pruning or training of tomatoes is not generally practiced, except in greenhouse culture, where single-stem training has met with universal favor. This system is also used to some extent in field ...

657. Marketing Tomato: The utmost care should be exercised in preparation for market if highest prices are to be realized. The tomatoes should be cleaned, stems removed and then carefully graded. Packages in great variety a...

Turnip (Brassica Rapa): 661. History And Importance This cruciferous vegetable originated in Europe or Asia. When planted early in the spring it is an annual, but when grown in the fall the roots must be stored during ...

Watermelon (Citrullus Vulgaris): 669. History The watermelon is native to Africa and has been cultivated since remote antiquity. Although a popular dessert vegetable in many parts of the world, it has met with greatest favor in ...

680. Harvesting And Marketing Watermelon: It is exceedingly important that every melon be sent to market at the proper stage of ripening. If it is underripe, quality will be sacrificed, and if overripe it will not carry well on wagons or cars...

Chapter XXII. Crop Rotation: 682. The Necessity Crop rotation has long been recognized as a necessity. Its value has been more evident, perhaps, in the production of cereals and the general farm crops than in vegetable ...

Chapter XXIII. Succession And Companion Cropping: 689. Succession Cropping Market gardening and home vegetable gardening are necessarily intensive forms of cropping. The work should be planned so that there will be no loss of space nor loss of ...

Succession And Companion Cropping. Part 2: 14............... Beet ............... ........Beet and horse-radish........ Beets are sown early. The horse-radish is planted with bar or dibber as soon as the beets are up. 8. Peas And Rad...

Succession And Companion Cropping. Part 3: T 4 T T T ................... Peas.................... 6 ................... Peas ..............,...... Peas are planted early. Tomato plants are set after danger of frost. Peas are followe...

Chapter XXIV. The Home Vegetable Garden: 692. Importance The home vegetable garden is an important feature on practically every American farm. Thousands of village people devote part of their lots to the growing of vegetables for the ...

Chapter XXV. Tables: 699. Vitality Of Seeds See page 102. 700. Percentage Of Germination See page 101. 701. Number Of Plants Required To The Acre At Various Distances x in. x ...

Chapter XXVI. Suggestions On Laboratory Work: 704. Importance A course in vegetable gardening cannot be fully satisfactory without suitable laboratory work accompanying the lectures or recitations. Laboratory work is essential for three ...

Vegetable Gardening | by Ralph L. Watts

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