MARKET GARDENING UKDER GLASS. 101 



sense will soon settle in his own mind. The beds should 

 be kept moist, without beins^ soaked and soggy. As a 

 matter of course, towards spring, -when the sun is warm, 

 the beds will need more moisture than in mid-winter, 

 wdien the weather is cold and cloudy. 



The estimate for labor for a house of the size de- 

 scribed can only be approximately stated. Of course, 

 there is nothing to be done inside of the house from 

 June until October. Allowing a liberal compensation, 

 the labor should not exceed three hundred dollars, and 

 this may be considered an outside figure. With intelli- 

 gent management and sufficient capital there is always 

 sure to be a handsome profit realized on the investment. 



Among the many successful market gardeners in 

 the vicinity of Philadelphia, may be named Messrs. Mab- 

 bit & Wiles, Camden, N. J. This firm has a tract of 

 six acres, nearly one-half of which is under glass, and so 

 worked as to illustrate the profit which can be had by 

 systematic management and practical experience. The 

 style of construction of the houses of this firm may be 

 designated as system No. 2. 



The greater portion of these houses have surface 

 beds, but some are fitted with elevated tables, these 

 being the best for lettuce, cress and radish, which, grown 

 in midwinter, require to be near the liglit, but, as cauli- 

 flower, a very important crop, a later and taller plant, 

 does best on surface beds, much of the lettuce and cress 

 has to be grown on the level. 



These houses, built upon the natural level, are 

 erected in blocks, the largest block covering a space of 

 solid glass surface of about 200x100 feet. This block is 

 composed of thirteen parallel sections, the continuity of 

 the beds being broken only by an openwork of support- 

 ing posts and foot walks. The w^dth of the houses in 

 this block is sixteen feet, elevation at the ridge eight 

 feet, the ridge timbers being supported by a line of light 



