96 MARKET GAEDEKING. 



As stated, the form of houses and interior construc- 

 tion of those built recently are different in appearance 

 and more economically arranged for the specific purpose 

 of raising winter vegetables ; the changes are but the 

 results of practical experience in this branch of horti- 

 culture by some of the most thrifty and prosperous mar- 

 ket gardeners in the vicinity of Philadelphia, where this 

 system of market gardening is carried out on a most ex- 

 tensive scale. It may be of interest to briefly outline 

 the construction of four distinct styles of forcing houses 

 for vegetables, which may bo designated as systems num- 

 bered 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th. 



In reference to system Xo. 1 a progressive and suc- 

 cessful market gardener in New Jersey has said: ^^I 

 have built, in all, fourteen large vegetable .forcing- 

 houses, and the one that I have just completed I con- 

 sider as near right as it is possible to get it, and that 

 after an experience of twelve years in this branch of gar- 

 dening." In this connection the fact may be mentioned, 

 incidentally, that the gardener referred to is both thrifty 

 and prosperous, the result of skill in conducting a busi- 

 ness requiring a keen, practical and observing mind, 

 with the energy and cash to carry out his plans. His is 

 the kind of experience that is of real value to beginners, 

 and my aim is to give, as concisely as possible, the sub- 

 stance of such experience, gathered from those who 

 bought it dearly by hard work and disappointment in 

 their first efforts. Facts, when gleaned from such 

 sources, are of value to those who are about to embark 

 in the same line of business. To be able to avoid the 

 stumbling blocks and steer clear of the mistakes likely 

 to be made in a new undertaking is of the utmost 

 importance, as saving time and cash, two important 

 considerations. 



The forcing house recently constructed by the mar- 

 ket gardener referred to and which may be designated aa 



