VEGETABLE FORCING IN NEW YORK STATE 
H. W. Scunecxk 
Instructor, Department of Vegetable Gardening, Cornell University, 
Ithaca, N. Y. 
SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT 
No other branch of agriculture has 
made such rapid forward strides during 
the past decade as has the vegetable fore- 
ing industry. Twenty years ago one could 
find only small vegetable houses, and 
very few of those, near our larger cities; 
whereas today there are many acres of 
land farmed under glass. Still there is 
room for much more development, since 
the demand for greenhouse products far 
exceeds the supply during most seasons. 
Inquiry is often made regarding danger of over supply of green- 
house products. This is a pertinent question, especially at such 
times as during the fall of 1912 and the fall of 1914, when lettuce 
sold for much less than it cost to produce it at the large forcing 
centers. In these two apparently dull seasons, many small towns 
throughout the country were not properly supplied with green- 
house products. During the past fall when lettuce sold for two 
and one-half cents a pound at Cleveland, it was bringing sixty 
cents a dozen bunches at many smaller towns. These facts will 
show at a glance that it is not a question of over-production, but 
rather a question of proper distribution of the products. 
Another factor to consider with respect to avoiding the danger 
of gluts on our large markets, is diversification of crops. At the 
present time there are but three or four crops to which forcing 
men devote any very considerable attention. These crops, in 
order of their importance are: lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and 
radish. Lettuce is grown by nearly all forcing men in fall and 
winter, when there is least demand for it. As a result, lettuce 
often brings a low price at this time of the year, especially if the 
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