42 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



But for this, each crop would still be anticipated as was the condi- 

 tion fifty years ago. As a result of all this change, we think, we 

 have competition between the market gardeners, who are the grow- 

 ers living within the range of the wagon haul of a city, and the 

 truck farmers, who are the extensive producers of a few staple 

 articles, often only one or two, who live at considerable distance 

 from the centers in which their products are consumed. I have 

 defined these two industries because I consider them distinct and 

 natural outgrowths of modern economic conditions. 



Those engaged in market gardening feel that because truck 

 farming is a more modern development that it is an encroach- 

 ment upon our field, but is this the case? Can the market gardens 

 supply all the potatoes, cabbage, celery, onions, kale, and spinach 

 the markets demand the year round? These are the crops on 

 which the great truck industry of this country is chiefly based. 



Let us briefly review the economic status of some of the more 

 important truck crops which form the basis of the real or suppos- 

 able competition between the market gardener and the truck farmer. 



The potato industry of the country stands fifth as a wealth 

 producer in the category of the nation's crops. The early crop is 

 the only phase of this industry that can in any way affect the 

 market garden. It is never mentioned as a competitor yet it is the 

 greatest of all truck crops. 



Cabbage is probably second in commercial importance of the 

 crops grown by the truck farmer. But this is one of the cheaper 

 and coarser products of the garden. The extra early crop will 

 continue to be grown at the South and the great winter supply 

 by the farmers of New England, New York, Wisconsin, and Colo- 

 rado. The more refined members of this family of plants such as 

 brussels-sprouts, kohl rabi, and the fancy cabbages of the savoy 

 and red sorts will likely continue to be products of the market 

 garden. In making this explanation I have suggested the lesson 

 of my theme, i. e., that the market garden is the place in which 

 the refined vegetable gardening is to be done. 



Take for instance the onion industry. The large field crops 

 will continue to be produced in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New 

 York, Ohio, Texas, and California, but the potato onion for early 

 bunchers will probably ever continue to be a factor in the market 



