The morning news., 1892-02-22
Truck Farming.

branches Of agriculture in this country,
says the Boston CultiUator, and it is esti-
mated that upward of 500, 100000 are in
vested in the business. Although a COM
paratlvely new industry. it has probably
assumed larger proportions than any other
rural occupation for the length of time it
has been in existence, and the marvellous
fact is, that during the periods of agricult-
ural depression it has always proved profit
able. The profit per acre in truck farming
varies from year to year, and it is different
in different localities; but generally. where
intelligence and experience are brought to
the business, about 40 or so per cent. is
profit. This represents the profit after all
expenses in work, taxes and seeds are de-
Quoted, but there is the considerable Item of
| transportation eliminated from the Ques-
tion. Truck farming proper is that carried
on so near TO large cities that the product
can be carried to the markets by the farm
er's own teams.
Ths truck farmers have probably carried
the science Of farming nearer to perfection
than any other class OF tillers Of the soil,
and many of their methods would be of
value TO the wheat and corn growers. There
| is little doubt but the same profits could be
obtained In other lines of agriculture if the
same progressive and intelligent spirit were
manifested.
Net profits of 500 an acre is certainly
remunerative, and this is what che average
truck farmer calculates upon, aud he gem
erally succeeds in coming up to his calcula-
| tions.
The question of expense is one that does
not deter the progressive truck farmer from
securing what he considers the best. Their
expenses are sometimes enormous near
large cities, and it is estimated that seed
alone for this class Of farmers average one
and half million dollars annually, which
means that they purchase only the very
best.
Seedsmen find their best customers in the
thousands of truck farmers scattered all
| over the country, and they offer only their
best to those men who are not, as a rule, to
be found mapping.
Truck farming is intensive farming, and
| only many acres as can be cultivated thor
oughly are brought into use, end the very
highest yield possible is obtained from
every square foot of soil. Improved meth
ods of drainage. econo nical but plentiful
! use Of fertilizers, careful cultivation and
continual experimenting are the price of
success in this work. Special crops are also
raised by the market gardeners, and some
OF these have been improved so by their
cultivation that they are wonders In their
way.
The watermelons, cabhages, peas, aspara-
gus, celery, potatoes and beans that are
raised near the large cities surpass anything
ever sent to market, for they are produced
under the most favorable conditions by the
truck farmers. The extent to which this
branch Of farming has been carried fire.
quently causes great 6uctuation in the
prices In large cities, and small prices are
realized for the goods. But the tone of the
market is quickly restored, aud the next
consignment is likely to bring large prices
The result is that those living some dis :
tances from the larger markets cannot COM
pete well with the truck farmers living in
the suburbs, for while the former have to
run the risk Of sending their goods to an
overstocked market, the latter can closely
watch the condition of the prices, and take
advantage OF any high ones. Even the
presence of trustworthy commission mer
chants on the scene will not always avert
poor returns, but they help to mitigate the
evil.
Market gardeners have so far cougregated
only around the very large centers of popu-
ton, and the competition among them is
becoming stronger every year. Smaller
cities frequently have to depend upon these
larger cities for their supply of goods, for
buog haNO NJ AOkuihi hOtu0 bDuEC0 OH
which to obtain the goods.
IL is in the suburbs of such places that
market gardeners and truck farmers are
needed. The ruling prices here are often
higher than in New York, Chicago or Bos-
ton, and the demand far exceeds the sup
ply. If there is any good opening in farm
ing, it is probably in such line as this, and
any truck gardener, with pluck, energy, in
telli2ence and perseverance,, might open a
good market for his truck goods near hun
dreds of the small cities Of the east and
west.