VEGETABLE GROWING. 35 



to be grown on the same land an additional ton of some special 

 fertilizer suitable to that crop is often necessary. 



Irrigation is a very important factor in the growing of crops, 

 especially in the maturing of them. All vegetables are composed 

 of from seventy to ninety per cent of water and there is a time in 

 the growth of every crop when it requires a large amount of moisture ; 

 that is when it is maturing and at that time irrigation is very bene- 

 ficial; especially is this true in a dry season. 



^Yithin the past twenty years a good deal of attention has been 

 given to the growing of vegetables in greenhouses under glass. 

 It has been found that crops can be grown to greater perfection 

 under glass than in the field and by the use of glass many crops 

 can be grown for market all the year round, practically making 

 them continuous. These crops which are grown continuously 

 at a profit are lettuce, cucumbers, radishes, parsley, and tomatoes. 

 All of these can be grown to greater perfection in houses than out- 

 side. In fact all crops grown in houses can be grown easier and 

 better than in the field. 



But, after all, the growing of all crops depends more on the man 

 than anything else. Providing all the other requirements are to 

 be had, his experience and knowledge of the soil, the crops adapted 

 to it, and the proper rotation of crops are important factors in the 

 growth and maturing of every crop. 



By far the most important fact to consider is whether the crop 

 pays for the growing. This can only be ascertained by keeping 

 careful account of every crop grown. By doing this you can tell 

 whether this or that particular crop is profitable and if it is not it 

 would be better to discard it and grow only those that do pay, and 

 those with which you have the best success. This success may 

 result from your knowledge of growing the crop or because the 

 soil is particularly adapted to that crop. At the present time 

 those who are most successful confine themselves to growing a 

 few of the most stable and those which are in demand. 



In the course of the discussion that followed Mr. Rawson stated, 

 in reply to a question concerning the use of electricity as an aid 

 to vegetable growing, that he had found the arc electric light bene- 

 ficial in the growing of lettuce under glass and that he was now 



