CHAPTEE III. 



WORK OF FORCING. 



Starting the Work. — As ever increasing competition 

 must be met by cheapened production, the prime object 

 in every enterprise must be to minimize the labor. 



As the forcing season approaches, with the cellar 

 all in readiness, we should give attention to the prep- 

 aration of tools for the work. While but few are re- 

 quired they should be of the best, and will consist of a 

 good plow with well sharpened coulter and sharp clean- 

 cutting spades or shovels. The plans for heating should 

 also be carefully perfected. With these essentials duly 

 provided for we are now ready for the work of the 



Forcing Season. — This will depend on location, and 

 weather conditions. Extended experiments have dem- 

 onstrated beyond a doubt that by far the best results are 

 obtained by thoroughly freezing the roots. While this 

 general rule is laid down as positive and not to be 

 deviated from, there are exceptions which were treated 

 of under another heading, "Forcing in Hotbeds." This 

 being the case it is better to leave the roots in the ground 

 until there is prospect of sufficient cold weather to 

 freeze the roots clear through. They will however take 

 no injury if left exposed to any sort of weather for a 

 reasonable time. In loose sandy soil which does not 

 readily adhere, but crumbles off leaving the roots bare, 

 it is better to turn them out when the ground is thor- 

 oughly soaked, or just before a hard freeze. 



Two Crops in One Season. — With a plentiful supply 

 of roots and inadequate room for forcing, two crops may 



