660 THE farmers' handbook. 



SECTION IX. 



Vegetable Crops/ 



In this section only crops are dealt with that are grown by farmers under 

 what may be called field or extensive conditions. To attempt to include 

 all the numerous lines that go to make up an ordinary vegetable growers' 

 produce for the city market, or even all that are grown by farmers for their 

 own use, would be to make undue demands upon space. Hence it is that 

 only a limited number of crops are dealt with, and in a manner that pre- 

 sumes production on a fair scale, though the alterations in method where 

 only a small area is contemplated will really be few. 



For convenience, certain crops are included in Section YI, " Root 

 Crops " — the potato because it is grown on such a large scale as to make 

 it the most important of all roots, and others, like the turnip, the sweet 

 potato, and the artichoke, because they are grown even more extensively 

 as food for stock than as vegetables for human consumption. Sweet corn 

 is treated in conjunction with maize, to which it is closely related. 



CAULIFLOWERS AND CABBAGES. 



This article deals with the growing of these crops in large areas, but certain 

 recommendations can be modified to suit small growers, e.g., plants can be 

 set closer in small garden plots, as all cultivation is carried out by hand, and 

 there is not the same necessity for leaving so much space. 



With the ever-increasing population of Sydney and inland towns, it would 

 appear that the cultivation of these crops can yet be extended with every 

 likelihood of profitable returns to the growers. Apart from the metropolitan 

 markets, there are many instances in which cultivation for local requirements 

 could be extended. Even in the most fertile division of the State — i.e., the 

 North Coast — it is common to see large quantities of these vegetables on the 

 boats from Sydney. Also in many of the inland towns, where the conditions 

 are suitable, the quantity grown is not sufficient for requirements. At 

 Goulburn, for instance (which by virtue of its situation should be on a level 

 with the Bathurst district in production), consignments are sometimes 

 brought from as far back as Wagga. 



Many people are under the impression that the growing of these vegetables 

 for Sydney market is confined to the Chinese ; but such is not the case. In 

 the vicinity of Sydney the market gardens are practically all controlled by 

 Chinese ; but in inland districts, where the gardens are not of such a mixed 

 character — where practically only one or two varieties of vegetables are 

 grown — the areas cultivated are chiefly worked by Europeans. 



About 1,000 tons are imported annually from Yictoria. The charges for 

 handling and boat freight have increased considerably of late, and the 

 produce is generally not as fresh as it should be when marketed — due to 

 unavoidable delays in delivery — so that there is an excellent opportunity 

 offered for local growers to supply the whole demand. A local commission 

 agent, who handles a considerable quantity of Victorian cabbages and 

 cauliflowers, has stated that the expenses attached to shipment from 

 Yictoria are equal to the cost of the vegetables in that State. 



* Compiled by A. J. Pion, Inspector of Agriculture 



