INTRODUCTION 
Since the long ago when “ the Lord God planted a garden east- 
ward” and set man “ to dress and to keep it” that he might live 
from the fruits thereof, gardens large and small have occupied 
an important place in man’s affairs, even though, falling into a 
more savage state, he became more or less a carniverous animal. 
For the most part he has remained such until the present, when 
in our most civilized countries the scarcity and high price of 
meat is of necessity turning mankind back to a better diet, made 
up more largely of “the fruits of the ground” rather than the 
flesh of “ beasts of the field.” 
Few realize how great is this industry among the many in 
our state’s agriculture, vegetables exceeding in value both the 
wheat and the corn crop. With these facts in mind it is readily 
apparent that the subject of vegetable growing should loom large; 
and in the series of bulletins which the Bureau of Farmers’ 
Institutes in the New York State Department of Agriculture is 
publishing, should occupy an early and conspicuous place. 
Two thoughts have been uppermost: first, that it may contain 
specific directions which will be of material help to all classes in 
meeting the varied problems with which the gardener has to con- 
tend; second, that it shall set forth to our own people and to the 
many from outside our borders — whose minds are turning hither 
as a possible dwelling place — the magnitude and variety of the 
business, as well as the many sections particularly well adapted 
by nature to one or more lines of vegetable growing, within easy 
reach of some of the world’s best markets. 
To accomplish this purpose the compiler has enlisted the serv- 
ices of scientists from our Stations to advise as to soils, fertilizers, 
diseases and insect pests; also specialists in growing or handling 
various vegetables — from the seed to the market and table — 
both from our own state and beyond, in order that it might be 
cosmopolitan and not warped by local prejudice or sectional limi- 
tations. The fundamentals treated are applicable everywhere. 
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