M T^?< f^Wcl^tv) (iard^r). ^ 



MARKETING VEGETABLES. 



G 



OM PETITION in market gardening 

 near large centres of population 

 makes it absolutely necessary for one en- 

 gaging in it to adopt the most approved 

 methods^ and to be wide awake and 

 progressive in all of the improvements. 

 Enormous truck farms are now established 

 in different parts of the country, and these 

 sui)ply the markets with the finest vege- 

 tables grown in the world. The profits 

 from these farms have been large in the 

 past, and many others have entered into the 

 industry. The competition has thus become more intense, and the most pro- 

 gressive farming and intensive cultivation of the soil are demanded. 



The truck farmers probably represent the forward advance of farming in 

 this country. Their methods are based more thoroughly upon sound, enlight- 

 ened business principles ; their cultivation of the soil is both practical and 

 scientific ; their idea is to get the greatest amount of the best crops from each 

 square foot of the ground, and they feed the soil liberally, expecting great profits 

 in return. Many general farmers in other parts of the country draw their inspi- 

 ration from the market gardeners. New plants are tested and improved by 

 these, and they are always in the line of progressiveness. 



But they do not stop with good cultivation. They carry their same prin- 

 ciples into their marketing. They watch the markets to get the best results, 

 and they know when and where to send their produce. The packing and 

 marketing of their vegetables are just as important to them as the sowing of the 

 seed. They realize the importance of well-packed, nicely cleaned and fresh- 

 looking vegetables. Many farmers who send produce to the market neglect 

 these essentials. The external appearance do not bother them, and their finest 

 goods often find poor sale. 



The marked improvement in recent years in preparing berries and vege- 

 tables for market makes it essential that one should spend time and thought on 

 this part of the work. The farmer who still clings to the shiftless method of 

 sending vegetables to the market unwashed and packed in any cheap thing, 

 cannot expect to compete successfully with others. Every kind of vegetable 

 now is washed, graded and packed carefully before leaving the truck farm. 

 They are brought direct from the field to tlie packing-house, where experts 

 handle them carefully. 



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