CHAPTER X 

 SPECIAL VEGETABLE CROPS 



IN the present chapter I propose to offer a few details 

 in regard to certain representative crops potatoes, 

 broccoli, cabbages, celery, green -peas, and rhubarb 

 which, though still grown extensively in connection 

 with miscellaneous market- gardening produce, are be- 

 coming more and more recognised as constituting 

 special industries, affording scope for development on a 

 large scale by growers who devote their attention either 

 wholly or mainly thereto. 



The official statistics giving the acreage under potato 

 cultivation in Great Britain are certainly striking enough 

 as bearing evidence to the increasing importance of this 

 particular crop. In 1894 the number of acres planted 

 with potatoes was 504,454; in 1903 it was 564,286; 

 in 1904 it was 570,209 ; and in 1905 it stood at 608,474 

 this last figure being an increase of 38,262 acres over 

 1904, of 44,185 acres over 1903, and of 104,017 acres 

 over 1894. 



But, apart from the fact that allotments of less than 

 an acre would not be included in the return, and that a 

 good many potato fields of little more than an acre 

 might be omitted, we have the important considera- 

 tion that, concurrently with the increase in acreage, 

 there has been a substantial advance in the yield per 



in 



