CHAPTER IX 



MARKET GARDENING 



This is a branch of horticulture which requires 

 great consideration and careful reflection, before 

 a lady undertakes it. It needs both brains and 

 capital. Market gardening resembles that larger 

 sphere of jobbing combined with nursery gardening 

 which is described towards the end of Chapter 

 IV. Possibly less artistic sense is necessary, 

 but far larger business capacity is essential. To 

 succeed at all everything grown must be of the- 

 best quality, and suit the prevailing demand. 

 There are fashions in flowers and vegetables, and 

 these have to be studied and responded to. Then, 

 too, in order to sell to London or other big markets, 

 advance must be kept of others. It well repays 

 to have green peas a fortnight before your neigh- 

 bour, and more money is made if the supply of 

 choice vegetables can be prolonged throughout 

 the winter months. Then, again, white flowers 

 sell better than others. These and many other 

 tricks of the trade are not learned in an amateur 



70 



