Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 63, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1911 — VEGETABLES IN A HOTHOUSE [ARTICLE]

VEGETABLES IN A HOTHOUSE

Tomatoes and Lettuce In Greatest Demand and Return Good Profit During Extreme Cold Weather. It Is possible for those in fair financial circumstances to have a garden in the winter, although they may live in cold countries. An ordinary greenhouse and a little care can bring this about It has been tried with good success. One woman, believing that garden truck could be grown in a greenhouse, undertook the task. Her greenhouse was built 12x18 feet, and was divided Into two compartments by a glass partition to control the temperature. Her success is given in her own words: “In one compartment of my greenhouse I raise tomatoes and string beans, along with a few roses and other flowers requiring a warm house. The second compartment is almost exclusively devoted to vegetables. Almost every variety of vegetable that grows In our gardens may be successfully raised in the hothouse, excepting green corn, peppers, eggplant and such tub-tropical plants. When it comes to money returns tomatoes and lettuce are in the greatest demand, and during cold weather bring splendid prices. Tomato plants can be depended upon to bear from November to June. The plants should be put on the benches In the greenhouse in August or the first of September In rather poor soil, as the blossoms will set sooner. When the first crop is well on, manure should be added, and the application continued all winter and spring to Induce new growth, with /resh blossoms and fruit. During the first two months it is necessary to fertilize the blossoms by applying the pollen with a camel’s hair brush. When the plants are older it is only necessary to jar the vines every day or so, and the pollen will spread sufficiently. I have found the F’reedom, Sutton’s Perfection and the Lorillard the best forcing varieties. When the vines grow too freely I prune them thoroughly. The temperature of my tomato house is kept between 60 and 70 degrees.”