CHAPTER XV 

 MARKET-GARDEN CROPS 



A KNOWLEDGE of the principles of plant nutrition is 

 perhaps more serviceable in market-gardening than in 

 any other line of farming. This branch of farming cannot 

 be profitably conducted either without suitable soils or 

 without an abundant supply of plant-food. Both of 

 these conditions are essential for the growth of high-class 

 products. 



THE YIELD AND QUALITY DEPENDENT UPON CONTINUOUS, 

 AND RAPID GROWTH 



In these days, it is not only the yield of a definite area 

 that must be considered, but the edible quality of the 

 products that are put upon the market. Quality depends 

 upon, or is measured by, both appearance and palata- 

 bility; and palatability is determined by the succulence 

 and sweetness of the vegetable, or its freedom from bitter- 

 ness, stringiness, and other undesirable characteristics 

 which frequently exist, and which can be largely eliminated 

 provided the grower is thoroughly familiar with his busi- 

 ness, assuming, of course, that varieties are the same in 

 each case. It has been demonstrated that market-garden 

 crops of the best quality are those which are grown under 

 conditions which permit of a continuous and rapid develop- 

 ment. Any delay in the growth of a radish or of lettuce 



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