VEGETABLE FORCING IN NEW YORK STATE

H. W. SCHNECK

Instructor, Department of Vegetable Gardening, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.

SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

No other branch of agriculture has made such rapid forward strides during the past decade as has the vegetable forcing industry. Twenty years ago one could find only small vegetable houses, and very few of those, near our larger cities; whereas today there are many acres of land farmed under glass. Still there is room for much more development, since the demand for greenhouse products far exceeds the supply during most seasons. Inquiry is often made regarding danger of over supply of greenhouse products. This is a pertinent question, especially at such times as during the fall of 1912 and the fall of 1914, when lettuce sold for much less than it cost to produce it at the large forcing centers. In these two apparently dull seasons, many small towns throughout the country were not properly supplied with greenhouse products. During the past fall when lettuce sold for two and one-half cents a pound at Cleveland, it was bringing sixty cents a dozen bunches at many smaller towns. These facts will show at a glance that it is not a question of over-production, but rather a question of proper distribution of the products.

Another factor to consider with respect to avoiding the danger of gluts on our large markets, is diversification of crops. At the present time there are but three or four crops to which forcing men devote any very considerable attention. These crops, in order of their importance are: lettuce, cucumber, tomato, and radish. Lettuce is grown by nearly all forcing men in fall and winter, when there is least demand for it. As a result, lettuce often brings a low price at this time of the year, especially if the

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 vegetable 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 business near many towns. After the greenhouse has served its purpose 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 Irondequoit 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

ter vegetables but ships a great deal to Buffalo and the smaller towns of the state, as well as to the mining towns of northern Pennsylvania. Many small towns in New York State offer splendid inducements in the vegetable forcing business. A few towns, such as Binghamton, Elmira, Troy and Ithaca, have one or more small vegetable ranges, and the men conducting these places are doing a splendid business. There are many other towns in the state which at present are under-supplied and which offer just as good opportunities as the towns mentioned.

The soil in the Irondequoit section is one ideally suited for vegetable forcing. It is a light sandy loam, which will take plant food and water readily, but the surface of which will dry off quickly. It is very easy to work and does not bake or puddle.

FERTILITY

Growers maintain the fertility of their soil by trenching wellrotted manure several times a year. This well-rotted manure not