204 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES UNDER GLASS 



In making preparations for growing vegetables under glass, each grower 

 will be governed by the circumstances peculiar to his case. If a commercial 

 enterprise is intended, the greater returns will come with the larger house; but 

 for private purposes the man in charge will probably know best the needs of the 

 table he is to supply. Some families will require more salads than others, and 

 when the necessary vegetables are scarce they seemingly consume to the limit. 



Whatever style of house is contemplated, let it be a light one, with plenty 

 of sun from morning till night. A location of this kind is necessary in order to 

 produce good vegetables and salads. Some of the old-style houses, with enough 

 lumber in them to build an ordinary dwelling, have more than half of their sun 

 shut off in the short days, by woodwork and rafters. Most of these have, for- 

 tunately, now passed along the way of things that have outlived their useful- 

 ness, and more suitable structures are reared at the present day. 



Great credit is due, as I have already said, to the different growers for im- 

 proving the varieties. Take Lettuce, for instance: I do not think that I am 

 overstepping the mark when I say that it is now forced by the millions as com- 

 pared with thousands a few years ago. This huge expansion may be explained 

 by the fact that the improvement in greenhouse construction, with the increased 

 and better facilities, has stimulated the growers to improve their products 

 correspondmgh'. 



Vegetables have been grown in every conceivable kind of structure — leanto, 

 three-quarter span, span roof, and years ago the sunken greenhouse or pit 

 was much in vogue. The most satisfactory house, however, for the forcing 

 season through, is a span roof about twenty feet wide and fifty or more 

 feet long, according to the requirements. A vegetable house may run east 

 and west or north and south; the latter is preferable, as it gives more even 

 sunlight on each side. But where the location demands it, the house may 

 run east and west without detriment to the stock, if judgment is used in 

 planting. Tall vegetables, such as Tomatoes, etc., may be planted in rows 

 crosswise of the house, thus allowing the sun to shine between, which will 

 help to firm up the growth. 



There is quite a variety of vegetables that will respond to indoor culture. 

 The staples, which I may call the bread-and-butter kinds, are Lettuce, Cucum- 

 bers, Tomatoes, Radishes and Mushrooms. Years ago a large part of the 

 vegetables produced under glass was grown on raised benches, and even now 

 this is an excellent way during the short days of Winter for Tomatoes, Cucum- 

 bers, Beans and the like, or what I may call warm-blooded vegetables. While 

 we may see all kinds of vegetables growing and flourishing together in the open 

 garden, it is better in the hothouse to keep the cold-blooded kinds apart. Let- 

 tuce, Cauliflower and Radishes thrive splendidly together, and solid beds 

 are without question the best for them. They will feel more at home 

 in such a location, and both Lettuce and Cauliflower will be much larger 

 and in every way of better quality, and, above all, a quick growth will be 

 obtained. 



I shall take up each variety separately, giving prominence to those kinds 

 that are in most general demand. 



