40 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



range into different sections increases considerably the cost 

 of running. It is better to be perfectly sure that as more 

 land is needed, it may be obtained at a reasonable figure. 



An important factor which is often overlooked in es- 

 tablishing a range is the location of the houses on the 

 given area. Many times the first houses are so placed 

 that they interfere seriously with the location of later 

 houses. Frequently, valuable land cannot be utilized to 

 the best advantage because of this oversight. 



While it is true that the greenhouse industry does not 

 require such large areas of land as are demanded for other 

 horticultural pursuits, still enough land, aside from that 

 covered by glass, should be available so that a quantity 

 of fresh, fibrous loam for composting may be obtained each 

 year. If it is necessary to purchase soil for composting, 

 the cost is considerable. Should the supply of sod-soil 

 be insufficient so that virgin sod is not obtainable each 

 year, the soil may be plowed, fertilized and crops planted 

 for a year or two, when it may again be seeded. If one 

 or two crops of grain or leguminous cover-crops be plowed 

 under, the fibrous soil-contents will be improved. 



35. Sale value or rental value of land. It is rarely 

 advisable to build greenhouses on rented land unless a 

 long-period lease may be obtained. Greenhouses are 

 not easily moved, and when taken down and rebuilt, 

 loss by breakage of glass is considerable no matter how 

 carefully the work is done. When urban prices of land 

 prevail and when taxation is high, it is usually best to 

 locate outside city limits. Often increasing land values 

 and the consequent taxes in rapidly growing cities make 

 profitable plant culture in an established range almost im- 

 possible. In such a case, property should be bought well 

 outside city limits, and the business gradually moved 



