HOTBEDS AND GREENHOUSES 107 



gardeners have less equipment of glass." (Same, pages 

 49-50.) 



Growing vegetables under glass gives smaller returns 

 than flowers ; as, for instance, a head of lettuce brings much 

 less than a plant of carnations, and suffers more from the 

 competition of southern crops. Nevertheless, the green- 

 house-grown vegetables have come into prominence lately 

 because they can be raised in houses that are not good enough 

 for flowers. Lettuce and tomatoes are the principal crops ; 

 some growers raise thousands of dollars' worth each year. 

 The greenhouse is also used for forcing plants which are 

 afterwards transplanted to the open air. This develops 

 them at a tune when they could not grow outdoors and gives 

 them such a start that they are very early on the market, 

 thereby realizing the highest prices. 



"Nearness to market is the most important feature in 

 a greenhouse. In large cities, manure, which is the chief 

 fertilizer, can be had in most cases for the hauling. The 

 short haul is an important item, and, most important of all, 

 the gardener who is near the market can take advantage 

 of high prices, if the grower is near enough to the city to make 

 two or three trips; in such a fluctuating market as New 

 York, it is to his advantage." 



Some land of a greenhouse is necessary, but one large 

 enough to produce a living would cost a very large sum. 

 Vegetable raising under glass has been made profitable in 

 special localities where nearly the whole community gives 

 its tune to building up the industry, but complete success 

 can be attained only by having absolute control of all the 

 conditions entering into production, and giving assiduous 

 and undivided attention to detail. 



Leonard Barren, in the Garden Magazine, says: "The 



