576 ANNUAL, REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



impoi'taut factor in maintaining soil fertility on the Garrahan farms 

 is the use of crimson clover. An effort is made to have all ground 

 covered with this legume during the winter season. A few years 

 ago when visiting this farm, I found a field so densely covered with 

 crimson clover that a bare spot as large as your hand could not 

 be found in the entire field. The following spring this clover, cov- 

 ered with manure, was plowed down and fertilizer used at the rate 

 of a ton per acre. With such liberal feeding, is it any wonder that 

 yields of potatoes run from three hundred to four hundred bushels 

 on this Luzerne county farm? Numerous examples might be given 

 of other men in various parts of the East who have beeni highly suc- 

 cessful in the growing of a variety of crops on a large scale. The 

 rotation of crops with such farming is a factor which should not 

 be overlooked. 



The gardening operation of Hon. R. F. Schwarz, Monroe county, 

 are of more than usual interest. Mr. Schuarz conceived the idea 

 some years ago of growing vegetables on a large scale and selling 

 at retail to consumers in the summer resort regions in the county. 

 He grows a long list of vegetables which are in demand with sum- 

 mer boarders. With such a line of farming it is important to 

 secure highest quality. This is accomplished by the selection of 

 proper varieties and by growing the crops as rapidly as possible. 

 There is no question about the fact that succulence counts for more 

 than anything else and it cannot be secured unless the growth is 

 rapid. Nitrogenous fertilizers are used extensively. Yields are 

 large and the business as a whole is most satisfactory. Companion 

 cropping is practiced to a considerable extent. 



Thousands of farmers throughout the East are growing a variety 

 of crops on a small scale. A large percentage of them live near 

 enough to cities to market by wagon, hauling an assortment of 

 vegetables with other produce as butter, eggs, potatoes and fruits. 

 The vegetables most commonly grown on such farms are cabbage, 

 tomatoes, sweet corn, peas, beans and other vegetables that may 

 be grown successfully with existing conditions. The produce is 

 often sold at retail and profits are necessarily large. It is a de- 

 sirable form of market gardening for farmers who find it conveni- 

 ent to attend market regularly. 



There is another class of vegetable growers generally spoken of 

 as market gardeners who usually operate in close proximity to 

 large cities. We often find such men cultivating vacant lots and 

 an effort is made to perform all work in the most thorough manner. 

 This kind of farming may be found on Long Island and near every 

 large city. The land where such gardening is followed is usually 

 high priced and labor is expensive, but close proximity to the market 

 makes it possible to put his vegetables on the market in the best 

 condition. In nearly all cases the manure can be secured at a mini- 

 mum cost. With liberal manuring, the land is kept at a high state 

 of fertility and this makes it possible to intercrop and have one 

 crop follow another in quick succession. 



May I call attention to one little farm on Long Island which I 

 visited several years ago. It contains eight acres and gives steady 

 employment to thirteen men during the entire season. One team 

 is kept busy the year round hauling manure from the city. This is 



