26 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



tables can be produced at a less cost per acre when grown in 

 large quantities. Such a grower is recognized in the market, 

 and his truck sought by the dealers. Furthermore, when 

 grown in this way the crop reaches its highest state of per- 

 fection, due to a more thorough knowledge of its needs and 

 careful attention to its culture than is possible where a num- 

 ber of crops, each requiring special care, are grown. Vege- 

 tables of good quality, well packed and delivered regularly 

 in large quantities, sell readily at good prices on any mar- 

 ket; while poor truck, improperly packed and in small quan- 

 tities, usually goes begging for a buyer at a low price that 

 pays no profit to the grower. 



Near our large cities, where stable manure is abundant and 

 cheap, our gardeners depend upon it almost entirely for fer- 

 tilizing their land. It contains a large amount of organic 

 matter, which improves the physical condition of the soil, 

 adds plant food and conserves moisture. Where manure is 

 more expensive and difficult to obtain, a light application 

 supplemented with chemicals will in many cases produce a 

 crop of equal size, and, with some vegetables, superior quality 

 to that fed entirely upon stable manure. Nitrate of soda 

 produces a rank and rapid growth of foliage thus increasing 

 the yield and improving the quality of crops grown for their 

 foliage. Phosphoric acid has a beneficial influence upon 

 fruit-bearing crops, such as sweet corn, tomatoes, beans, 

 squash, etc. Potash improves the quality of most vegetables, 

 especially such crops as potatoes, squash, carrots and par- 

 snips. 



Starvation is a common cause of crop failure. A profitable 

 crop cannot be obtained without a normal, healthy growth of 

 the plant. Thrifty plants are less subject to the attacks of 

 diseases. If I were to give a general preventive of plant dis- 

 eases, it would be plenty of plant food and thorough tillage, 

 as strong, healthy plants will usually withstand and outgrow 

 such attacks, while others growing under less favorable condi- 

 tions are destroyed or seriously injured. 



Every gardener should follow a well-thought-out plan, giv- 

 ing proper rotations, and with planting dates so arranged 

 as to avoid gluts and allow double-cropping when possible. 



