CHAPTER II 



SOIL AND LOCATION 



A FEW special crops, like celery and watermelons, demand 

 particular types of soil if they are to attain their highest develop- 

 ment, and are grown extensively for general market purposes 

 principally in localities where the type of soil they demand can 

 be found in abundance. Thus, the great commercial watermelon- 

 producing regions of the countrj^ are located where sandy ridges 

 abound, and the most famous celery areas where there are re- 

 claimed peat or muck swamps (Fig. 4). Most vegetable crops, 

 however, can be successfully groTvn on many different types of 



Fig. 4. 



-Michigan celery field. Celery is one of the few vegetable crops demanding special 

 soil conditions. 



soil. It is fortunate that this is the case, for it makes possil^le the 

 growing of vegetables for home use and for local market in almost 

 every locality where there is any soil whatever suitable for agri- 

 cultural purposes. 



Sandy Soil. — Although vegetables will grow on many kinds of 

 soil, where there is chance for a choice it is an advantage to select 

 a somewhat sandy soil for the production of early crops. This is 

 because such a soil dries out earlier in the spring, and hence can 

 be planted earlier than a heavier soil. It is also warmer, and there- 

 fore hastens the early development of the crops. 



9 



