104 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



suit of it, success depends more on the man tlum on anythino; 

 else ; presuming bini to have secured the proper soil, which should 

 be a light sandy loam. In the vicinity of any of our cities, large 

 and small, can be seen small places devoted to the growing of 

 vegetables, either as a special business or in connection with 

 some other branch of agriculture. It is now one of the principal 

 lines of business carried on in the vicinity of large markets, and is 

 'every year growing larger and larger, and extending farther and 

 farther from the cities. The suburban land is Ijecoming too valu- 

 able for this use, being wanted for building lots or for manufact- 

 uring establishments, which must be located near the large cities 

 on account of railroads and help. These requirements are fast 

 filling up the suburbs of Boston for five or six miles out ; within 

 which distance scarcely any land available lor gardening now re- 

 mains unappropriated. 



The varying demand of the markets governs the amount of 

 business done by growers in the large suburban towns ; but the 

 product of two or three acres can be readily disposed of in almost 

 any town containing from four to five thousand inhabitants — and 

 in such markets the prices are much better than in large ones, 

 and a profit is sure on a limited quantity. 



The vegetables grown are comprised in the following list : — 

 Artichokes, Asparagus, Beans (Bush and Pole), Beets of various 

 kinds, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages (early and late). Carrots, Cauli- 

 flowers, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Dandelions, Egg Plants, P2n- 

 dive. Leeks, Lettuce, Martynias, Melons, Mushrooms, Onions, 

 Parsley, Parsnips, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Rhubarb, 

 Salsify (Oyster Plant), Sea Kale, Spinach, Squashes, Tomatoes, 

 Turnips, and Water Cress. 



There are many varieties of some of these ; but time and space 

 will not permit me to speak minutely of them all. I will there- 

 fore give an account of the soil and mode of cultivation needed by 

 some, and describe their peculiarities ; selecting the most impor- 

 tant, and taking them in the order in which they appear in the 

 foregoing list : — 



AuTiciiOKES (Cynara Scolymns). — The soil required is a deep 

 sandy loam. In this country the artichoke is but little known, 

 as people generally have not learned to use it ; but it is of the easiest 

 possible culture, being hardy in our climate and readily propagated 

 from roots or suckers. The Green Globe is the i)rincipal variety. It 



