30 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



or other of the great markets : and herein lies one 

 of the great dangers of the business. There are 

 undoubtedly salesmen of repute in all the best markets 

 who do their best for their clients in selling at the 

 highest prices ; and they return these prices to the 

 grower, less the legitimate commission to which 

 they are entitled. Notwithstanding this fact, how- 

 ever, it is unfortunately too true that letters appear 

 frequently in the trade papers from growers who 

 relate that not only do they receive but little, or 

 even nothing, for the goods sent to the salesman, 

 but in some cases the latter individual actually sends 

 in a charge for expenses incurred in disposing of the 

 produce ! This, coupled with the high railway rates 

 which are in themselves equivalent to a protective 

 tariff often drives the grower of good produce to 

 despair. It is rare, however, that one hears of a 

 commission agent entering the bankruptcy court. 



A WORD TO AMATEUR GARDENERS 



The figures given in the preceding pages refer to 

 the establishment and maintenance of a " French 

 Garden " on strictly commercial and professional 

 lines, and they may well cause the amateur to pause 

 before embarking on such a system of cultivation. 

 Where, however, one has a small piece of ground at 

 his disposal say only 10 or 20 poles there is no 

 reason why he should not practise the art on a small 

 scale, and at comparatively little expense. It must 

 be borne in mind, however, that as the cloches and 

 lights frequently require attention in regard to closing 

 and opening (i.e. putting on air and taking it off), as 

 well as shading, the amateur must either be at hand 



