594 ANNUAL REPORT OP THE Ofif. Doc. 



liable in helping 1o solve the problems of the hundreds of producers 

 in this locality. A number of frame growers operating near Nor- 

 folk have been realizing good prolits. These men start and mature 

 practically all their crops as beets, spinach, lettuce and cucumbers 

 in frames. Overhead irrigation has been a great advantge on one 

 of the places which has met with great success. 



Leaving the South and coming back to Pennsylvania it is a pleas- 

 ure to show a number of pictures of the splendid orchards in Adams 

 county. This region is not only well known to the horticulturists of 

 this state but it is known in many parts of the United States as a 

 region which has been remarkably successful in the production of 

 apples. Most of the pictures illustrate the spreading or open-head 

 method of pruning or training. As is well known, York Imperial 

 is the leading variety. Probably nine-tenths of the bearing trees in 

 this county are of this variety. In most recent plantations, Stayman 

 Winesap has been planted to a considerable extent and is doing 

 well. Grimes' Golden, Jonathan, Eome Beauty and a few summer 

 varieties have been planted to some extent in the young orchards. 



Kennett Square has long been known as oue of the most promi- 

 nent mushroom sections in the United States. Most of the mush- 

 rooms are grown in inexpensive houses, although a few more costly 

 establishments have been built and have met with success. Mr. 

 H. K. Hicks has, for example, erected a mammoth building with 

 a double cellar in which he has been meeting with entire success. 

 The greenhouse industry is also a paying proposition. Not only 

 are roses, carnations and other flowers grown, but tomatoes are 

 grown extensively for the Philadelphia market. 



The last census report shows that Philadelphia county is fourth 

 in the United States so far as yields and returns per acre are con- 

 cerned. Some of the best and most intensive market gardening as 

 well as truck farming may be found both north and south of the 

 city. The farm of Thomas Brooks, Jr., is especially notable as 

 being conducted in a thoroughly up-to-date manner. Practically 

 no weeds can be found on this farm at anv season of the vear. The 

 crops follow each other in quick succession and companion crop- 

 ping is largely practiced on this farm. Stable manures are relied 

 upon mainly for the support of plant food. They are composted 

 before using and then applied in large amounts. A great variety 

 of crops, such as rhubarb, carrots, onions, celery, tomatoes, cab- 

 bage, lettuce, etc., are grown north of the city. South of the city 

 the places are restricted mainly to crops that may be x^lanted close 

 together, permitting the use of intensive methods. 



One of the best examples of intensive gardening may be found 

 in Lancaster cit}-. Ritchie Brothers have been cultivating vacant 

 lots and meeting with entire success. Rotten manures are used 

 more freely, perhaps, than in any other garden of the State and 

 sprinkling devices are also employed to control soil moisture con- 

 ditions. Intercropping and succession cropping are used to a gi'eat 

 extent. 



One of the notable establishments near Harrisburg is that of 

 Mr. Robert J. Walton, of Hummelstown. Fruit growing and mar- 

 ket gardening on a considerable scale are carried on here and a 

 thoroughly equipped and very satisfactory Skinner system is in 

 operation. 



