CHAPTER IX. 



FUTURE OUTLOOK. 



The magnitude of the forcing industry, as elsewhere 

 referred to, has reached a limit heretofore unthought 

 of, but as we firmly believe, it is yet in its infancy. Yet 

 with all its magnitude the dwellers in the rural districts 

 are practically shut out of its benefits. True, the farm- 

 er on his periodical trips to the village or city market 

 can buy these products provided his entire load of 

 produce will sell for enough to buy these delicacies, suf- 

 ficient for a meal or two. It is refreshing and pleasant 

 to know that this one industr}' is brought right to the 

 farmer's door, and by its cheapness and simplicity, one 

 product of the forcing industry-, and that the most de- 

 licious yet produced may be enjoyed by every farmer 

 and his family as the fruit of his own labor. While this 

 is the fact nevertheless comparatively few will under- 

 take it for they will all begin "with one accord to make 

 excuses.'"' 



While entirely practicable and feasible for nearly all 

 classes, and especially farmers and gardeners to supply 

 themselves with this luxury from January to May, it 

 would be entirely impracticable for all to engage in 

 the work as a business. Individual circumstances and 

 surroundings must be carefully studied, as access to 

 markets, facilities for maintaining the root supply and 

 many other features. 



A headlong plunge into the work as "the horse 

 rusheth into the battle," would to many mean failure. 

 Here in Detroit, essentially its home and birthplace as 



