408 Repokt of Farmers' Institutes 



The truck farmer modifies a much larger number of factors, and 

 in a much higher degree. As market gardening is still more 

 intensive, the greenhouse man finds it necessary to supervise, not 

 only the physical and chemical properties of the soil, but also to 

 furnish all of the moisture that is required, and to regulate the 

 temperature both by protection against the rigors of the weather 

 and by supplying artificial heat; and, further, he must regulate 

 the quality of the atmosphere by ventilation. 



The larger the share that man assumes in crop production, the 

 more difiicult does the task become. A control of temperature and 

 ventilation is by no means as simple as is the modification of the 

 physical and chemical character of the soil by tillage and fertiliza- 

 tion. Thus, vegetable forcing is a highly technical, and withal a 

 highly difficult, business. 



It is a phase of vegetable production that should not be under- 

 taken by the beginner save in connection with other less intensive 

 work, and one that should be entered upon gradually, thus avoid- 

 ing the heavy losses that may result from large investments before 

 sufficient knowledge and experience have been gained. Even for 

 the most skillful grower, results are a bit more precarious than in 

 outdoor operations. 



The use of glass fits well with market gardening. It makes 

 possible the employing of labor to good advantage throughout the 

 year, and thus holds the better employees from season to season. 

 It makes possible a good distribution of income, reducing the 

 interest charge incident to a large running account at the bank. 

 It makes possible the keeping in contact with the trade through- 

 out the year, thus assisting in the ready sale of all the farm 

 products. Further, the glass that is used for starting early plants 

 during a few months of the year is profitably employed in vege- 

 table forcing throughout practically all of the remaining months. 

 J^owadays, greenhouses are idle for not more than four weeks in 

 the year, and frequently for less. 



LOCATION 



In selecting a location for vegetable forcing, it is necessary to 

 consider a number of factors. An ample and absolutely reliable 

 supply of water is essential. The site should be favorable as 



