Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 126, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 May 1915 — Greenhouses Are Profitable [ARTICLE]

Greenhouses Are Profitable

Greenhouses are gaining In popular* ity and importance among vegetable growers. They provide employment for labor during the winter season, make It possible to grow better earlier plants In the spring and add to the pleasures of farm life. Greenhouses are especially desirable if the farm is located near a good market. Sanitation la an Important matter in the management of greenhouses. ' A clean house, clean walks and clean beds count for much In growing a clean crop. If the houses harbor all sorts of insect and fungous pests before a crop Is started It Is practically Impossible to mature it without serious damage. Clean, spray, fumigate, sterilize before beglnnlg operations if you wish to avoid trouble. After a crop Is started rigid cleanliness must also be maintained. Infected parts of plants should be removed as soon as discovered and destroyed. The walks, pipes, benches and all interior parts of the house should be kept clean. This is a business proposition and not merely a matter of appearance. Keep the beds in the greenhouse moist—not wet. There Is a great difference between moist beds and wet beds. Moist beds permit the air to enter and the roots to develop. There Is little room for sir In constantly wet beds, and the roots can not make a normal, healthy growth. When water is needed make a thorough application, and do not apply more water until there is positive evidence that It is necessary. A dry surface does sot always Indicate the need of water. The best plan is to run the hand several inches Into the soil and experience will soon enable the grower to determine when water Is needed.. Try to admit some fresh air to the houses every day. This will help to maintain healthy conditions for the plants. Avoid cold drafts which may stunt the plants. It is always better to open the ventilators on the leeward side of the house. In the winter time It Is usually desirable to ventilate late in the forenoon, if the weather Is very cold. The green fly Is a source of much trouble In lettuce houses. It is readily controlled by fumigating with tobacco, if this preventive measure is ueed immediately after, the crop Is started and repeated at frequent Intervals. The white fly Is especially troublesome on greenhouse tomatoes, unless It Is well under control when the plants are set out. Fumigation with, hydrocyanic gas is the most satisfactory method of controlling the pest. Write your experiment station for detailed Information on the use of this poisonous gas. See that the greenhouse soil contains an abundance of vegetable fiber. This calls for the use of large amounts of rotten manure. Both horse and oow manure Is satisfactory for greenhouse purposes. A ton to each 1,090 square feet of space is ordinarily not too much for the best results.