CHAPTER VII. 



WHY THE SMALL MAN MUST TAKE THE LEAD. 



FRUIT growing upon one acre of ground, well prepared, 

 would probably bring about a better average return, 

 after two or three years' experience, than even three 

 acres by the old system of culture with roots, etc., with 

 the proverbial cow added on. Every small cultivator 

 will soon discover that to produce fruit that pays best, 

 he must have his land partly covered with greenhouses. 



For small holdings, grapes and wall-fruit, or melons 

 and tomatoes are especially adapted, where the small 

 grower is anxious to devote all his time to the business. 

 The "corn and stock" farmer of 200 and 300 acres is 

 doubtless correct in considering forced fruit growing, at 

 the outset, as " a little man's job," as those who succeed 

 best are the journeymen tradesmen or mechanics, who 

 can put up a small greenhouse at the smallest outlay, 

 and work out personally every detail. 



Mr. Boddy, of Penzance, has written a little sixpenny 

 pamphlet, giving his " Story of an Acre and a Half," in 

 which he describes his success in producing grapes, 

 cucumbers, etc., in greenhouses of his own construction 

 (samples of his grapes being presented to the Queen as 

 a Jubilee gift). It was not till Mr. Boddy was a 



