THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 



hended. First is the assurance, on the part of the owners of land, with 

 knowledge and industry combined, of an abundant food supply for them- 

 selves and families. Anxiety on that score is with the millions of the 

 underfed and others in cities. Second are the possibilities of income, be- 

 yond the family needs. This will depend upon the knowledge, skill and 

 capital that may be put into the work. 



In the cultivation of flowers, a very small area of land, not exceed- 

 ing one or two acres, will, under intelligent management and knowledge 

 of the business, bring a satisfactory income and support to a family. 

 One acre of plants and flowers grown under glass has produced a value 

 of over $20,000 a year. Glass culture, however, requires capital, knowledge 

 and skill to a high degree. 



The culture of vegetables requires intensive methods and high fertiliz- 

 ing, and on either small or large areas gives large acreage returns. These 

 productions being of a perishable nature are usually grown about cities and 

 towns, where they may be promptly delivered. Consequently, this branch 

 of horticultural w^ork is carried on upon high-priced land. 



In the gardening about Paris, land rents of $ioo to $150 an acre are 

 paid annually, to which a further expenditure for fertilizers of $200 

 per acre is frequently made, in addition to the cost of labor. So skillful 

 have the French gardeners become in the improvement and preparation 

 of soil for garden work, that when their leases expire and they lease a new 

 piece of land, the law of France gives them the right to take a thin layer 

 of the surface soil and put it in boxes, barrels or bags, and take it with 

 them as their personal property. If one may be so fortunate as to look 

 into the home life of the best French gardeners, he would be surprised to 

 see the degree of comforts they are enabled to bring about them. After 

 paying high rent for land and a heavy cost for fertilizing it and for its 

 improvement, they are enabled to realize good profits. 



The fruit-growing interests of New York state have invested in land 

 and equipment $51,157,185. Floriculture has invested $8,692,939. Veg- 

 etable culture has an investment of $101,102,441 in land. The number 

 of acres of land devoted to fruit culture in the state are 542,792 ; for flor- 

 iculture 7,362 acres ; and for vegetables 596,834 acres. The annual returns 

 on these investments are, for fruit culture, $17,998,894; floriculture $.S,i49,- 

 000; and for vegetable growing $36,309,544. 



Large as are the money returns from the culture of flowers and veg- 

 etables, the growing of fruit is one of the most interesting branches of 

 horticultural work and is one which gives most satisfactory financial 

 results. 



The Rocky Ford melon industry of Colorado has made fortunes for 

 those engaged in it. It has built many beautiful and luxurious homes and 

 prosperous towns, and has contributed millions of dollars to the earnings 

 of transportation companies. 



The citrus fruit industry of California has. on a much larger scale, 

 produced millions of wealth, both for individuals and for the state, while 



261 



