1270 The Vegetable Industry in New York State 



preceding outdoor growing season was a long one. Many other 

 crops could be grown in fall in a small way, which would pay 

 much better returns than does lettuce. Some of these crops are: 

 rhubarb, witloof chicory, .cauliflower, onions, beets and Swiss 

 chard. By growing a greater diversity of crops, a double gain is 

 secured. First, a direct gain from the sale of these additional 

 crops ; and secondly, an indirect gain, by lessening the production 

 of lettuce in fall, and so increasing its value. 



There is but one factor which seriously hampers the vegetable 

 forcing industry, and that is "hard times." The industrial 

 classes suffer most during periods of financial depression, and it 

 is this class to which the greenhouse man looks for an outlet of 

 his produce. 



In addition to making use of the greenhouse for growing vege- 

 table plants to maturity, it can be used in spring of the year for 

 growing early plants to be set out in the field. This will require 

 the greenhouse space from about the first of February to the first 

 part of May. Early vegetable plants may be grown not only for 

 the owner's use, but also for sale. This is a very profitable busi- 

 ness near many towns. After the greenhouse has served its pur- 

 pose for plant growing, cucumbers can be set out the beginning of 

 May and yield a handsome return throughout June, July and 

 August. 



MOST IMPORTANT SECTIONS 



The largest vegetable forcing section of New York State is 

 located near Rochester, Monroe county, and is known as the Iron- 

 dequoit section. This is one of the seven large forcing sections 

 of the United States. A careful estimate of the area under glass 

 at this place would place it at about twenty-five or thirty acres. 

 There are no very large greenhouses, but many gardeners have 

 small ranges. The largest range consists of about eight acres. 

 This is of the ridge and furrow type construction. Most of the 

 houses in the Irondequoit section are of the even span, separate 

 type. They are of the very best and most expensive construction. 

 The 40 x 180 foot all iron house seems to be the popular type, 

 and several of these houses have been erected during the past year. 



The Irondequoit section not only supplies Rochester with win- 



