476 The Ohio Naturalist. [Vol. XV, No. 6, 



In addition to three crosses above mentioned, a large number 

 of self-pollinations was made according to this method. Of 

 these self-pollinations about 75 were successful. The chances of 

 cross-pollination were small because of the distance between the 

 plants and the absence of insects ; but it was considered necessary 

 to have as large a number of self-pollinated fruits as possible to 

 serve as a comparison with other fruits and to furnish pure seed 

 for new cultures of plants. 



The soil in which the plants were grown was uniformly of the 

 same composition, as it consisted of two-thirds of greenhouse soil 

 and one-third dr}" compost. This greenhouse soil was built up 

 after years of experimentation to secure a soil of ideal physical 

 condition for use in pots. The dry compost, which was used, was 

 composed of one-third blue grass sod, one-third leaves and one- 

 third dair}' stable cleanings. The greenhouse soil and compost 

 mixed together in the proportions given above, were found to 

 produce a soil ideally adapted, both physically and chemically, to 

 the growth of tomatoes in pots. 



The tomato seeds were first planted in a pot of sterilized soil. 

 After the young plants had attained a sufficient size each one was 

 transplanted to a separate two- or three-inch pot. As the plants 

 grew larger they were placed in pots of a greater size until they all 

 came to maturity in the uniform five-inch pots. 



These pots were placed from 18 to 24 inches apart in a long 

 row on the benches in the greenhouse. Small bamboo rods about 

 three feet in length were forced horizontally into the soil of the 

 pots and the plants were tied to these supports with raffia. The 

 tops of the upright bamboo rods were fastened with raffia to a 

 long spliced bamboo rod which ran above and parallel to the pots 

 and surface of the bench and which was firmly fastened to upright 

 iron posts that braced the roof of the greenhouse. In this manner 

 ample .support was given to the plants even when ladened with 

 fruit. 



As soon as the fruits ripened they were gathered and carefully 

 weighed on a pair of accurate balances. A fruit that has been 

 picked for several days will be found to have lost weight by 

 transpiration of water. A ripe fruit that has been allowed to 

 remain on the vine until it has become soft and started to decom- 

 pose will also give a diminished weight. Every precaution was 

 taken to avoid such diminutions of weight as the fruits were 

 gathered as soon as they became ripe and they were always 

 weighed immediately after thc}^ had been gathered. 



After each fruit had been weighed the polar length and maxi- 

 mum and minimum equatorial diameters were measured with a 

 pair of calipers. The number of locules was noted and the seeds 

 were carefully counted and saved. The shape and color of fruit 



