into the problem. The average yield per plant will furnish a better 

 criterion for comparison in some respects, although in the production 

 of tomatoes under glass the yield per square foot of bench surface 

 should constitute the basis for con)parison in the economic production 

 of crops, since it is the object in greenhouse culture to grow the 

 largest amount of produce in the least possible spape consistent with 

 favorable conditions. The average yield of our crops which were 

 grown during the winter and spring season was 9 to 12 pounds of 

 ripe fruit per plant. 



The average yield in our northern climate should be from 4 to i 3 

 pounds of fruit per plant. A certain number will have to be 

 discarded on account of inferior size and rot. In order to make a 

 profit from a w^inter or spring crop of tomatoes the fruit ought not to 

 be sold for less than 20 cents per pound. We know of one gardener 

 who recently had an opportunity to sign a contract with a hotel in the 

 east to deliver greenhouse tomatoes at 60 cents per pound. From 

 40 to 60 cents per pound are prices occasionally obtained. 



Considering the length of time required to mature tomatoes, their 

 liability to disease and the price usually obtained for the product, we 

 consider cucumbers superior to tomatoes, and lettuce better than 

 either, from the point of view of financial returns. Much, however, 

 depends upon the market and prices obtained for these crops. At 

 least three crops of lettuce can be grown to one of either tomatoes or 

 cucumbers. Moreover, a lettuce crop practically covers every square 

 foot of ground surface of a house. Three crops of lettuce at 75 cents 

 per dozen would give a yield of 40 cents a square foot of ground 

 surface. 



Under the best management in a house 18 ft. in diameter each 

 of these crops may be expected to give returns per linear foot as 

 follows : 



Tomatoes at 25 cents per lb., 6 lbs. per plant. $4-50 



Cucumbers, 5 doz. per plant, $1.00 per doz., 5-oo 



Lettuce at 75 cents per dozen heads, (Three crops) 6.50 



It should be added, however, that these estimates should not be 

 taken as conclusive, as many factors enter here to modify the con- 

 ditions ; but on the whole the majority of experienced men would con- 

 sider lettuce and cucumbers as giving better financial returns than 

 tomatoes. It should be noted, moreover, in connection with this, that 

 it does not require so much coal to heat a lettuce house as it does 

 for a cucumber or tomato house. 



