VEGETABLE GROWING IN OREGON. 



Bij O. E. Freytag, County Fruit Inspector for Clackamas County. 



No phase of agriculture is developing more rapiclly than market gar- 

 dening and at no time has the work received greater support. The popu- 

 lation of the State is increasing so rapidly that the demand for vegetables 

 exceeds the supply. Many gardeners are specializing along certain lines 

 of vegetables which they have brought to a high point of development, 

 producing a product the market is ever ready for. 



Among the first crops is the palatable asparagus. No garden, 

 whether for home or market, is complete without an asparagus bed. 

 The plants adapt themselves to any fairly good soil and climate, but 

 thrive best in sandy loam or beaver dam. The better the soil the better 

 the yield. 



How to Plant an Asparagus Bed. — Make the rows preferably north 

 and south, four feet apart. The plow going up and down at least twice 

 through the furrow, digging the trench at least six to eight inches deep. 

 Then stretch a string down the furrow, and set the plants every 20 to 

 24 inches in the row. Spread the roots out carefully, covering them three 

 to four inches. After the shoots appear more soil may be added. Don't 

 cut the asparagus the first year and very little if any the second year; 

 the third year begin cutting and as the plant grows older the season for 

 cutting may be lengthened. 



Rhubarb is a valuable and productive early vegetable, and when 

 grown in the right manner produces an enormous yield. The manner 

 of planting is very much the same as asparagus. When rhubarb is 

 grown by expert growers, the stalks are often over two feet long and 

 perfectly tender. 



Celery is another immense money crop, and those gardeners who 

 specialize in this particular class are enjoying good results. There are 

 a number of methods used to blanch celery. In Oregon, where lumber 

 is cheap, board banking is preferred to the old way of dirt banking. 

 This is quickly done and gives good satisfaction. The greatest care is 

 in preparing it for the market, so that it arrives at its destination in 

 good shape. 



Cabbage and cauliflower are valuable crops in Oregon. Climatic 

 conditions are such that certain varieties of cauliflower can remain 

 unprotected in the field throughout the winter, supplying the fresh 

 product when there is little eise to be obtained in the market. For 

 early cabbage, seed sown in September and transplanted in November 

 and December, produce early crops and the land can be used for a second 

 crop. Soil should be selected that has good drainage. While the plants 

 do not make a large growth during the winter, they build up a good root 

 System, and upon the arrival of congenial weather come rapidly to 

 maturity. Cabbage will thrive upon most any soil, but a sandy loam 

 is preferable, because the soil can be cultivated at any time. Cabbage 

 is a great feeder and requires good, rieh soil, and plenty of eultivation. 

 Care should be taken not to plant it too close to get the best results, 

 especially the winter varieties. Plants three feet each way will give you 



