No. 4.] MARKET (iARDENING. 37 



thus keeping posted. Tliey have the stuft' every day, and 

 so can dispose of it to advantage when short or when plen- 

 tiful. These two men have been very shrewd business men, 

 as well as good growers. They have had very little No. 2 

 stuff. They have worked with their men, and consulted 

 them as to methods of doing the work, Theyiiave kept 

 strict account of their business. No man knows better what 

 to do than the one who is on the spot or doing the work. 

 Often the workmen Avill discover some way of doing which 

 is more economical in time, or makes the goods look better 

 when exposed for sale ; and this new way will be adopted. 

 The amount of manure used on these small places will 

 average 30 cords per acre. On a market garden of 25 to 

 35 acres it will averaije 18 to 20 cords, but on those of 75 

 to 100 acres 3'ou will find a different style of business, and 

 the farmer using scarcely 15 cords per acre. 



All market gardeners use horse manure in preference to 

 any other, as it is the kind which makes the vegetables grow 

 best. It is usually broadcasted and plowed in not over (3 

 inches deep. 



Manure is the principal source of plant food ; but on most 

 market-oarden farms at some time during the oTOwing; season 

 you will find the farmer using nitrate of soda, sulphate of 

 ammonia or fertilizer, to make some crop grow faster. 



Nitrate of soda is very quick in acting, its effects being- 

 seen in three days. Great care must be used in applying it, 

 so as not to injure the crop. There are two times when it 

 is safe to apply it, — they are when the crop is dry or when 

 a hard rain is falling. It should l)e applied about 80 pounds 

 per acre at a time, and not again for about ten days. If 

 applied too heavily, there will be loss by leaching and it 

 may burn the crop. Sulphate of ammonia is slower in act- 

 ing, and can be used in larger applications at one time with- 

 out danger of waste by leaching. It is equally liable to 

 burn the crop. 



The manure supply for these market gardens is hauled 

 quite regularly. Some of the large stables have to be 

 cleaned out every day. Wagons holding 2 cords or over 

 and drawn by three or four horses are used to carry it in. 



