32 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 



DEVELOPMENTS IN OLERICULTURE 



There is another phase of the agricultural development of the 

 state, particularly the southern third, that is of even greater im- 

 portance than the orchard interests. Reference is made to the veg- 

 etable industry. The value of the annual vegetable crop in Illinois 

 exceeds sixteen million dollars. Among the states of the Union, 

 Illinois ranks fourth in value of vegetables produced. 



In the spring of 1900 a campaign for the improvement of home 

 vegetable gardens on Illinois farms was started. A demonstration 

 garden was planted, and was maintained for five years. This served, 

 not only as a model for students and for visitors at the University, 

 but furnished data for two publications showing the large profit that 

 may be secured from a properly managed garden on the farm. Labor- 

 saving methods of planting and tillage were employed. The garden 

 as a factor in food production for the Illinois farmers' family is now 

 admitted to be of much more importance than it was considered 

 twenty-five years ago. The University has had a large part in the 

 shaping of this sentiment. 



In 1907, at a time when the melon industry of the state was 

 threatened with destruction by the fungous disease commonly called 

 "rust," the Department introduced the rust-resistant type of musk- 

 melon among Illinois growers. This type of melon has now become 

 the dominant one used by commercial growers, and has made it pos- 

 sible to continue growing melons where the old types have entirely 

 failed. 



Better methods of grading, packing, and marketing fruits and 

 vegetables, have been consistently aided by the Department. Bulletin 

 124, issued in 1908, contained the first descriptions of grades of musk- 

 melons ever issued in America, and the first definite directions for the 

 proper packing of basket melons of different sizes. In 1910, after 

 five years of experimental work, spraying was announced as a definite 

 method of controlling the leaf spot of tomatoes. The working out 

 of this method of control for this disease is a distinct contribution to 

 the means of maintaining a healthful food supply for the Nation. 

 After five years of experimental work with muskmelons, an economical 

 yet efficient method of fertilizing this crop was reported in 1912. In 

 1914, the results of six years of experimental work with onions was 

 reported. Of special importance was the account of the growing of 

 ripe onions from sets. This method of producing dry onions had 

 been given practically no attention previous to these experiments. Its 

 advantages were clearly shown by the results obtained; and now the 



