INTRODUCTION 



Since the long ago when " the Lord God planted a garden east- 

 ward " and set man u 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 

 S- 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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