MARKET GARDENING 219 



the various plants are grown, and one can hardly expect 

 to be successful in every first attempt. For directions 

 for the care and management of greenhouses see 

 "Greenhouse Management," by Taft. 



In the business of market gardening one must begin 

 planning and work in winter, even if no glass is used. 

 Plans must be fully matured, and seeds, fertilizers, 

 tools, etc., must be on hand for prompt use the mo- 

 ment conditions are favorable for out-door work. Dur- 

 ing the month of January we may decide what crops 

 to grow, what fertilizers to use, what methods of grow- 

 ing to pursue, and learn as far as possible what others 

 are planning to plant and what the market is likely to 

 be. In February we should have our seeds and all 

 other supplies on hand and decide when and how we 

 will start our seeds, if under glass or in the field, get 

 manure on the land, make up the early hot-beds, etc. 

 See that all tools are in working order. 



In March at the South and along the coast, garden 

 work is in various stages of development, from almost 

 full maturity of crops at the South to the starting of the 

 seeds at the North, fitting the land, sowing the first seeds 

 of onions, peas, radishes, etc., out of doors. In April 

 we uncover the rhubarb, clean up and harrow the as- 

 paragus bed, get in seeds of the more important market- 

 garden crops promptly and in rapid succession. As the 

 season advances one crop follows another as the first 

 matures until the last planting of beets, cabbages, and 

 cauliflower in July and August, and turnips last of all. 



Fitting the Land. 



The more quickly vegetables are grown the more suc- 

 culent and desirable they are. Therefore the land must 

 be made very rich to start with, and many market gar- 

 deners start by applying fifteen to twenty cords of 



