PREFACE. 



T^EGETABLE GROWING forms an important branch of 

 ^ horticulture for the South. Formerly the land pro- 

 duced an abundant crop with a minimum of labor and no ferti- 

 lizer, but the land, except in the alluvial bottoms of large 

 rivers, and in drained lakes, is rapidly becoming poor. This 

 change in condition necessitates a change in the operations to 

 produce a full crop. Besides producing a large crop, it is im- 

 perative that this crop shall be produced when the prices are 

 highest. A difference of ten days in the maturing of a vege- 

 table often turns the balance from a gain to a loss. In this 

 book I teach the reader how to have vegetables mature for 

 market from one to three_ weeks earlier than those of his 

 neighbor, who plants by the old methods. 



The amount of fertilizer wasted on many establishments 

 would make a fair profit on the total investment. I have, 

 therefore, made the matter of fertilizing a prominent subject 

 in this discussion of each vegetable. This subject is the first 

 that has to be encountered in progressive vegetable growing. 



Finally, this book was first written as lectures to the classes 

 in horticulture. These lectures were revised and, by the ad- 

 vice of friends, prepared for publication. Numerous letters 

 have also been received, asking where a book on vegetable 

 growing for this section could be obtained. The only accessible 

 printed matter for this district are Experiment Station Bulletins 

 and agricultural papers. While these treat the subject in a 

 thorough and excellent way, they are only fragments on the 

 subject. If it were for no other reason than to bring this 

 material together into one accessible volume, I would be justi- 

 fied in having it published. 



P. H ROLFS 



