Requirements of Success in Market Gardening. 27 



convenience is not in existence, the next best thing is a good 

 large cistern near the vegetable house. This latter may be a 

 cheaply constructed affair, of any desired or needed size, with 

 frost-proof cellar for storing vegetables, a washing department 

 above, with tank ; also a storage room for tools, seeds and other 

 equipments. A good well is a necessary convenience, and will 

 supply water when the cistern fails. 



The degree of success in gardening depends largely on the 

 abundance and steadiness of the water supply ; for the liquid 

 element is needed in vast quantities, and must be furnished at 

 just the time when the crops require it. Hand sprinklers and 

 force pumps are yet the common means of distributing water 

 over the often large area of the beds in many market gardens, 

 but through the employment of a modern windmill, tanks and 

 rubber hose in their capacities as forcing power, storage room, 

 and carrier, respectively, this originally tedious job can be made 

 comparatively pleasant and inexpensive. 



This chapter, in my estimation, would not be complete with- 

 out an earnest word of warning to the new beginner. I only 

 follow the plain path of duty when I point out the dangers of 

 engaging in this (as in any other) business on a larger scale than 

 experience and available capital will warrant. Profits are easiry 

 figured out on paper, and often allure the novice into a feeling of 

 unjustified confidence and security. Debts are contracted, to be 

 paid with the prospective profits ; but such profits do not often 

 materialize. It is safe to commence on five acres of good land 

 paid for, and with implements and conveniences also paid for. It 

 is very risky to start in on twenty acres, mortgaged for half their 

 value, and to work with tools obtained on credit. The former plan 

 admits of a gradual increase of the business on a safe foundation, 

 and as increasing experience and means warrant. The latter 

 plan leads the gardener into the meshes of the usurer the foolish 

 fly into the spider's web and to ultimate ruin. Step by step 

 you will rise from the foot of the ladder to the height of lasting 

 prosperity ; but the pretender who surreptitiously usurps a high 

 position will come to a sudden, and oerhaos deserved fall. 



