CHAPTER XI 



Greenhouses 



The greenhouse might be described as a large flat 

 shed with the roof and ends covered with glass and 

 heated with steam or hot water pipes. The frame- 

 work is made as light as possible and yet be able to 

 carry the necessary amount of glass, in order that 

 the maximum amount of light may be permitted 

 to enter the house and reach the growing plants. 

 Greenhouses are rapidly increasing in popularity 

 among vegetable gardeners and in many sections 

 the industry of growing vegetables out of season 

 under glass has reached large proportions. As a 

 matter of fact, there is scarcely a city or town of 

 any size throughout the country that is not provided 

 with its greenhouse of greater or lesser size, at 

 least a portion of which is devoted to the growing 

 of vegetables during winter months. The value of 

 the greenhouse in connection with large out-of-door 

 operations can hardly be overestimated. It pro- ' 

 vides profitable work for the gardener and his help 

 throughout the winter months when little can be 

 done out of doors. It enables him to keep in touch 

 with his trade throughout practically the entire season, 

 thus giving many advantages from the marketing 

 standpoint. The northern gardener is in this man- 

 ner able to compete with his southern competitor 

 on account of his nearness to market and the higher 

 quality of his products. The direct cost of produc- 

 tion is, of course, considerably higher under glass 

 than in the open. The greenhouse may likewise be 



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