Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 Excerpt: ...execution of methods already widely known. They are aided, it is true, by a cool, moist climate, and a soil that can be made perfect by the use of manure. They are also blessed in being near to good home markets. But, after all, the real success of the New England gardener depends on his management of details. Nothing is too much trouble for him, and he cannot get appliances that are too good for him. We will presently explain the careful details of some of his processes; and as to his glass houses, they are as large and as well equipped, probably, as any in the world. Let it not be imagined, however, that the business is without its drawbacks, even on the coast of Massachusetts Bay, for the Dreer note books have records (made in 1896) of mildew and "burn"; and one Down-East gardener was inclined to believe that Jersey had excelled Massachusetts in her lettuce products in the New York markets during the previous winter. There may be a bit of comfort to Jersey truckers in this comment, for it goes to show a recognition of the good quality of Jersey lettuce. The Boston lettuce grower begins operations in his forcing house in autumn on the following general plan. He first prepares the beds by digging into them about three inches of well-rotted horse manure. The beds are all upon the ground (not on staging), and this amount of manure can be incorporated with the soil without much trouble. No artificial fertilizer is used in the houses. (The date of beginning operations seems to be changing, with a tendency to get started a little earlier each year.) Six weeks before the young plants are needed for the forcing house the lettuce seed is sown in an out-of-doors bed--in a bed containing no manure whatever. This is to get plants wholly free from the germs ...
