i 4 o THE BOOK OF MARKET GARDENING 



nominal sum, indeed in some cases it has been obtainable 

 without any actual outlay, on the undertaking that the 

 yards should be regularly cleared. It is incalculable how 

 many millions of tons of stable manure have been thus 

 applied to land in the Thames Valley, and we have 

 examined soil that has been under market garden cul- 

 tivation for nearly 200 years, which was simply a mass 

 of humus to the depth of nearly three feet. No 

 system could have answered the grower's purpose better 

 in every way, and it is easy to understand why even now 

 it is pursued whenever the position of the ground per- 

 mits. But manure cannot be obtained so cheaply as 

 formerly. Dealers now buy it up for despatch by train 

 to longer distances, and there is considerable competition 

 at some seasons of the year for the available supplies. 

 When manure is not required or not obtainable, the 

 wagons are loaded with empty baskets or boxes, so that 

 the expenses are confined to the horse and man labour 

 requisite, together with the provision of suitable vehicles. 

 The outlay is, however, a heavy item to take into con- 

 sideration, for a full size market wagon, well and 

 strongly built as it must be, is very expensive, and 

 occasional repairs have to be provided for besides. If 

 a market is only attended once or twice a week, it is 

 possible to employ the horse labour on the land for part 

 of each week, but if three market days are utilised, the 

 whole labour of a team of horses is needed for the carting 

 alone. In estimating probable expenses due allowance 

 must be made for all these contingencies. 



The London market wagon is a heavy vehicle with 

 a long body, fitted with sides and rails, so that an 

 enormous load of bulky vegetables, like cabbages or 

 cauliflowers, can be packed on often to a height of 

 6 feet or more above the sides. Such wagons are 

 mostly used for vegetables, but they are also employed 

 for fruit in baskets or half-sieves, but lighter vans are 



