170 RURAL NEW YORK 



storage are better for the crop from the rich silty min- 

 eral soils, particularly dark alluvial soils, such as the 

 Genesee and the Papakating series. 



Other crops having a localized development are 

 cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, Lima beans. and cucum- 

 bers. On the medium sandy loam and in conjunc- 

 tion with the peculiar climatic conditions of the north 

 shore of Long Island east of Wading Eiver, these 

 vegetables attain peculiar perfection and are most 

 largely grown. The chief center of production of 

 sprouts is at Orient, while that for cauliflower is a 

 little to the west. The production of Lima beans is 

 associated with cauliflower. While cucumbers are 

 grown to a considerable extent near Orient, the larger 

 area is near the western end of Long Island in west- 

 ern Sufl^olk County and nearest the south shore. The 

 acreage is between 2500 and 3000 used both for im- 

 mediate consumption and for pickling. Yields run 

 as higli as 150 barrels to the acre, but less than 100 

 is common. The yield of Brussels sprouts is about 

 2000 quarts and the area occupied is about 150 to 

 200 acres. 



Mushrooms are grown by the acre in abandoned 

 natural cement rock mines and in a smaller way in 

 special cellars. Akron, in Erie County, is the larg- 

 est center of the industry in the country. Here mines 

 of large area a little below the surface of the ground 

 have been abandoned for purposes of making natural 

 cement. The beds are laid on the floor and the 

 height of the ceiling permits the free use of wagons 



