The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-05-28
WINTER FARMING NEW.
SCIENCE SETS AT DEFIANCE ALL
LAWS OF SEASONS.
The Demand FOR Farm Products in Win
ter Responsible for the Expansion OF
This Industry - Hothouse Fruits and
Vegetables Multiply in Quantity.


The idea prevalent in somo quarters
that agriculture has not kept abreast
of modern industrial developments Is
so far from the actual truth that occa-
slonally the public is surprised by re-
ports which indicate change and rev.
olution in methods and result OF
most phenomenal character. In moth
ing has our agriculture changed more
decidedly in recent years. however
than in tie seasons Of production
Science has deliberately set at def
ance all the laws which govtn the sea-
sons of growth, and IN the conflict II
has proved a great triumph for man.
Winter farming has become III the rast
decade an industry more profitable and
successful than ordinary summer gar
dening or Farming.
The demand for farm products in
winter, when most of them are scarce
and difficult to secure, has been re-
sponsible for the growth and expansion
of winter farming. To-day this indus
try is of national importance, and adds
| millions of dollars to the wealth of
| our country Lands that were former
| ly considered almost worthless have at
tanned through this industry consider
able value, and farmers who were dis
appointed at the outlook OF their pro-
| fession nave suddenly discovered now
means of reaping financial rewards FOR
their labor and genius. Instead of fol-
| lowing in the old rdts in vogue fifty
| years ago. they have brarched out in
entirely new lines to develop an indus
try that is as fascinating as 1t is pro-
| fitpblp.
| Naturally ono thinks first OF truck
| gardening, either under glass in the
| North In winter or along the belt Of
| Southern States. when this subject is
broached; but winter farming is not by
| any means confined to even this field
| Winter dairying has become in the last
| five years one of the most profitable
sources VI farming. and It. is pursued
by the most progressive dairymcn of
the country with great success. BY
means Of the silo. succulent food Is
| stored away for winter feeding that
produces almost as fine milk and cream
as the June grass. The milk and
cream in winter time are worth so
much more than in summer that the
dairymen find II profitable to provide
good winter quarters for tho best COWS
| and to feed them with the best food
The poultry farmer has likewis
changed his methods, and by means of
the incubator and brooder winter and
spring broilers arc produced to-day in
enormous quantities for our tables.
Winter poultry is to-day about the on
ly product of the chicken farm that
actually pays a good profit. The high
prices obtained for spring chickens and
broilers out of season have caused
complete changes in this industry.
Those who depend upon the eggs for
their profits are endeavoring to induce
the hens to change their season of lay
ing. so that winter eggs will be had in
abundance. Extensive experiments in
winter feeding and winter breeding in
glass-covercd houses have produced re-
suits which encourage the poultrymen
to believe that eventually breeds of
hens will in time he reared which will
lay their eggs I'm winter instead of sum-
mer. At present the results obtained
are not entirely satisfactory.
Hothouse lambs have become Inn
pcrtant parts of our winterd diet of
recent years, and breeders have ostab-
delicate animals can be reared and
fattcred through the coolest of our
winter weather. The work is profit
able, and the breeders arc increasing
the Industry each year. Hothouse
lambs are delicaoies out of season al
present. but In The future they may
become an ordinary part of our regu-
lar winter diet.
Hothouse fruits and vegetables null
tiply IN quantity and quality every
year The industry Is expanding SO
rapidly that the annual winter supplies
of these delicacies are running up into
thousands of tons. Around Boston
there are several hundred acres of land
covered with glass where fruits and
vegetables are raised for the winter
markets. Jersey and Long Island arc
also centers of this industry. and hun
dreds of acres are now under cultiva-
tion right through the winter. These
hothouse products bring high prices
all through the winter, and from two tC
-four crops are raised annually On tht
same land. In the spring when the
weather grows warm, the glass sashes
are removed. and the plants for thC
summer markets are raised as easily
If tho land had not been producing al
winter. When the cold autumn frosti
come, the glass sashes protect the new
crop that has been planted for thu
Christmas holiday seasons Ther
when these winter products are har,
vested, seeds for an early spring croT
are sown. and by the time Easter /!
here fresh vegetables ar again read!
] for picking.
The truck products raised under glass
in winter receive the most modern in,
tensive culture. The soil is If the
richest, well heated by steam pipes
mOiStpnpd nroperIv and eomptinpg III