CHAPTER VI 

 VEGETABLE-GROWING 



IN THE growing of vegetables on a commercial scale, care 

 must be observed to secure a location suitable for the pro- 

 duction of the particular kind or kinds desired. However, 

 closeness to market must also be taken into account, so that 

 sometimes the proximity of a tract of land to markets will 

 justify the expenditure of relatively large amounts for the 

 upbuilding of the soil and for rents. In the home-garden 

 many varieties of vegetables are desired, and the choice of 

 soil is limited to the best available on the home place. Two 

 facts, however, aid the home-gardener; first, that in almost 

 any type of soil some vegetables can be grown; and secondly, 

 that with patience and with a small outlay of capital 

 small tracts of soil can be modified to almost any extent. 

 Even the rigors of climate can be guarded against by the use 

 of various devices. Shingles, lamp-shades, pieces of tin, 

 paper bags, glass panes, hotbeds, coldframes, and many other 

 articles, may become useful tools in the hands of the ingenious. 



No activity will give more play to the ingenuity of a high- 

 school pupil than the raising of a properly varied home- 

 garden. In many cases, such enterprise will repay him hand- 

 somely. At any rate, the satisfaction to be derived from the 

 presence on the family table of fresh vegetables of worthy 

 quality is no inconsiderable reward. 



138. The soil. In general, a rich mellow sandy loam is 

 preferable for vegetable-growing, and is especially desirable 

 for root-crops. A sandy loam is easily worked, allows roots 

 to penetrate, favors good drainage, and warms up well in 

 the spring. A heavy clay soil is colder in the spring than a 



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