158 RURAL CALIFORNIA 



The growing of vegetables for shipment fresh does 

 not constitute the only opportunity in vegetable- 

 growing. The output of canned asparagus, peas, 

 beans and tomatoes is large and canners are always 

 on the outlook to contract for their supplies. Be- 

 yond this, also, there still remains market-garden- 

 ing to supply cities and towns and the popular re- 

 sorts of tourists. The work is often very satisfac- 

 tory and profitable. Production is, however, in the 

 hands of orientals to an extent that must be counted 

 as undesirable from an American point of view. 



The principles underlying success in vegetable- 

 growing are universal, but the methods in California 

 are quite different from those applied elsewhere. 

 Here the garden runs practically all the year in the 

 open air. All during the winter, except in the 

 mountains, successions of hardy vegetables are grown. 

 Green peas, small onions, young beets, carrots, po- 

 tatoes, and the like, can be ready at New Year's and 

 continue for nine months, if desired. Asparagus 

 begins in February and runs until May or June. 

 Globe artichokes cover about the same season. Ten- 

 der vegetables, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, beans, corn, 

 cucumbers, squashes and melons are safe in the open 

 air from April until October and in some places con- 

 siderably longer. Lettuce, radishes and other relishes 

 can be had all the year, and the same is true of 

 garnishing plants. 



The extent and variety of the commercial truck- 

 farm crops are indicated by the following compila- 

 tion, covering the products of 1920: 



