2 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



simultaneously, as mentioned further on in the pages 

 of this work. The great aim seems to be to grow 

 together crops of quite different natures, so that 

 the growth of one shall not interfere with the proper 

 development of the other before it is gathered. 



" The culture of salads for the Paris market," said 

 Mr. Robinson forty years ago in his Parks and Gardens 

 of Paris, " is not merely good it is perfection." 

 The same opinion holds good to-day, and there can 

 be no doubt that in many parts of the British Islands, 

 where the climate is kinder to the gardener than in 

 the neighbourhood of Paris, it is within the region of 

 possibility to grow produce that would rival if not 

 surpass what is imported from abroad. 



Although much attention has been directed to 

 the French methods of growing such early crops as 

 Carrots, Radishes, Cauliflowers, Turnips, Lettuces, etc., 

 there are at present few establishments in England 

 where the system is practised on bona-fide commercial 

 lines. The first garden of the kind was established 

 at Evesham in the year 1905, but it soon passed 

 from the hands of the original owner. What may 

 be called an experimental and educational garden on 

 intensive cultivation has also been established at 

 Mayland, in Essex, by Mr. Joseph Fels. No expense 

 has been spared in fitting up this garden with all 

 modern appliances, and a capital outlay of some 

 2,000 to 3,000 has been incurred. The ordinary 

 market-gardener, however, no matter how intelligent 

 or skilful he may be, is not likely to look upon such 

 a large initial outlay with great favour, knowing 

 as he does from practical experience the fluctuations 

 of the markets, and the fickleness of the public taste. 



