Vegetable Growing on Long Island 1220 



tives of the association handle the produce in the city. The asso- 

 ciation also sells cauliflower in carload lots to other large markets 

 such as New Orleans, St. Louis and Chicago. 



On the eastern end of the island early potatoes dug in August 

 are an important crop and good prices are usually realized. Far- 

 ther west the late crop is the important one. It has been estimated 

 that this year, which was a very good year for potatoes on Long 

 Island, the crop approached 3,000,000 bushels. These have been 

 largely sold in the past through the Long Island Potato Exchange, 

 although great quantities are also sold through other sources. 

 Lima beans are growing in popularity and the acreage is increas- 

 ing; it is one of the newer crops in this section. They are sold 

 green by the bushel. Brussels sprouts are also grown extensively 

 and sold during the fall and winter. 



On the southern peninsula (5) cauliflower and brussels sprouts 

 are not grown commercially, due to unfavorable climatic and soil 

 conditions. Potatoes and lima beans are the chief vegetable 

 crops. Due to the scarcity and high price of manure in the east- 

 ern part of the Island, cover crops are grown to a great extent, 

 mostly rye; large quantities of commercial fertilizers are used, 

 very often as high as one ton per acre for cauliflower and potatoes. 

 The produce is practically all carried by railroad to New York 

 City. During the cauliflower season a special train is run each 

 day collecting cars of cauliflower from Southold to Manorville and 

 thence direct to Xew York. There is a small trade across the 

 sound to New London and Bridgeport, Connecticut. 



That section of the map indicated by figure (3) is undeveloped ; 

 much of it is in a wild state, overgrown with pines, scrub oak and 

 small sprouts. However, there are numerous cleared spots or 

 farms. Throughout the central part of the Island, around Middle 

 Island, Yaphank, Manorville, Selden and Holtzville, fruit grow- 

 ing is very popular, especially peaches. There are several or- 

 chards containing over 100 acres. Shelter Island is also an apple 

 producing section and some vegetables are grown there. 



The north and south shores are very rapidly becoming more and 

 more popular as summer resorts and draw thousands of people each 

 season. For this reason there is quite a local demand for fresh 

 vegetables and a number of growers are taking advantage of the 

 opportunity. 



