THE FORCING-BOOK. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTORY SUGGESTIONS. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



THE growing of vegetables under glass for the winter 

 market is one of the most special and difficult of all horti- 

 cultural operations. It is a more uncertain and perplexing 

 business than the growing of cut-flowers, because it is newer, 

 less understood, there are comparatively few varieties of 

 vegetables particularly adapted to winter forcing, and the 

 markets are less extensive and more unstable. To succeed 

 with forced vegetables requires great skill in the manage- 

 ment of glass houses, close attention to every detail, and 

 the complete control of all the conditions of plant growth. 

 To these requirements must be added a thorough knowl- 

 edge of the markets, and the ability to have the crop 

 ready at any given time. 



No amount of reading or study can make one a success- 

 ful grower of plants under glass. He must first of all pos- 

 sess a love for the business, a determination to surmount 

 all difficulties, and especially the ability and desire to give 

 personal attention to all the details day by day. Having 

 these requisites, reading and study will afford him most 

 efficient aid by way of direction and suggestion. One who 

 reads horticultural literature should bear in mind the fact 

 that its value depends very much upon the reader. Instruc- 



