PREFACE 



Books on vegetable production have been written from the 

 viewpoint of the East, West, North and South. The present 

 volume is written from the viewpoint of conditions as they exist 

 in the great central prairie region, known agriculturally as the 

 corn belt. But the principles here laid down are applicable in all 

 sections. The cultural requirements of the various crops have 

 been analyzed in the light of many years' experience with vege- 

 tables, and an attempt has been made to present the underlying 

 principles of vegetable production in a clear and logical manner, 

 and place vegetable gardening on a rational basis. It is impossible 

 for man to control the climate of a given locality. It is possible, 

 however, for him to adapt his gardening operations to the con- 

 ditions as he finds them. Knowing the temperature requirements 

 of a given crop and the length of season demanded for its develop- 

 ment, he can adjust the time of planting and method of handhng 

 to meet as fully as possible the needs of the particular crop. But 

 in spite of all that can be done even by the well-informed gardener, 

 vegetables demanding radically different climatic conditions may 

 not thrive equally well in the same garden. A reasonable degree 

 of success with a large number of different vegetables can be 

 attained by a careful grower in almost any locality, but the com- 

 mercial production of special crops should rarely be undertaken 

 except in localities where the climatic and other conditions are 

 especially favorable for the particular crop in question. 



A thorough understanding of the temperature requirements 

 of the different crops is considered of such vital importance to 

 productive vegetable growing that this feature is made the basis 

 of the classification of vegetables used in the present volume, 

 and is given special prominence in the cultural directions for the 

 various crops. 



The aim throughout the book has been to emphasize principles 

 rather than mere details of practice. The order of presentation 

 has been carefully planned, and in using the book as a text, 

 the various topics should be taken up in the order presented. 

 The Suggestions for Laboratory Work, in Chapter XXXIII, how- 

 ever, should be read by the instructor before beginning the course. 



