358 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Ja 



MARKET GARDENING 



BY W. W. RAWSON OF ARLINGTON. 



Market gardening should be distinguished from farming. 

 While the market gardener is a tiller of the soil, his occupa- 

 tion differs essentially from that of the farmer. 



By market gardening is meant the raising of such vege- 

 tables as celery, lettuce, cucumbers and the like, with a few 

 of the more stable and hardy characters, such as squashes 

 and beets. 



The business of market gardening has within the last 

 twenty years become one of considerable importance, and 

 when understood is quite profitable. In this business, as in 

 every other, the success depends more upon the man con- 

 ducting it than upon anything else. 



He must understand the nature of growing plants ; the 

 different qualities of soil required for each ; the mode of 

 cultivation and the time of planting best adapted to the 

 climate where located. He must have some knowledge of 

 chemistry and botany, must be a practical engineer and 

 mechanic, and also be familiar with the laws of nature. 

 After these requirements, the more common sense he has, 

 the better for him. 



The location of the garden is quite important. It should 

 be as near the market as possible. If the roads to and from 

 the market are level, the land will be much more valuable, 

 because one of the largest items of expense in connection 

 with the business is the teaming of the product, and the 

 manure necessary to secure a crop. 



The land should be of various qualities, and a gentle slope 

 to the south and west is much preferable, because on it the 

 crop will mature earlier, and it is easier to irrigate it. Near- 



