340 



tra:nsaotio]s's of the 



ESSAY ON THE TOMATO— ITS CULTIVATION AND VARIETIES. 



The cultivation of tlie tomato, iu this vicinity, for shipment to Chicago and other nortliern 

 markets has rapidly increased during the past few years, not less than one hundred and thirty acres 

 having been devoted to it during the present season, reciuiring a large amoimt of capital and lahor, 

 extending over a period ot more than six mouths from sowing the seed in February until the final 

 marketing the crop in the latter part of August. 



It is the field culture of the tomato for marketing purposes that we propose briefly to consider in 

 this paper, giving only what appear to be the most essential points in its cultivation, and the main 

 causes of success or failure. Sow the seed in hotbeds about the loth of February, being governed 

 more by the weather than anj- exact date, as seed sown iu bright, moderate]}' warm weather, during 

 the latter part of the month, will make better plants, than if sown three weeks sooner, if in such 

 extreme cold that but little light and air can be given. Sow thinly in drills, and when about two 

 inches high transplant to a new bed 3 to 4 inches apart, in rich, loose, soil, so as to induce a vigor- 

 ous root growth, very essential at this time. When the plants cover the surface of the bed, trans- 

 plant again from 8 to 10 inches apart, this time a cold bed or frame will answer, the sides of the 

 frame being sufficiently high to allOAv a growth of I.t to 18 inches. By May 1st, full grown plants will 

 have attained this height, be lialf an inch through at the ground, and shoidd be well furnished with. 

 side branches. During all those operations plenty of liglit and air must be allowed the plants and 

 for the last ten days, no covering should be allowed unless in danger of frost at night. Transplanted 

 into the field as soon as the ground is warm and danger of frost over, usually from May 5th to 10th. 



The ground for tomatoes should be deeply plowed and otherwise well prepared. Set the plants 

 from -1 to 5 feet apart each way, and cultivate thoroughly until so large that the plow or cultivator 

 cannot be run without touching them, then stop, for further working will do more harm than good. 

 For the Tomato, level culture is decidedly the best, anj- hilling or ridging to the plant, having a 

 tendency to produce a new root growth, and we think, thereby retard the growtli, and maturity of 

 the fruit, and in case of drouth the vines on hilis or ridges will be first to suiter. In a favorable 

 season, and with ordinary success, the first tomatoes will ripen about July 1st, the ciuantity gra- 

 duall}- increasing until August 1st, when the vines should be in full liearing, and unless in extremely 

 dry weather, continue to yield largely during the entire month. 



A fair yield per acre, is one hundred busliels of marketable tomatoes, that is ripened in time to be 

 profitable for market; much larger results than this have been obtained, but this is a full average. 

 The tomato for distant market should be picked as soon as well colored, carefully packed in one- 

 third bushel boxes, filled so as to prevent the fruit moving in the least after the cover is nailed on, 

 thus packed they will remain in good condition for -18 to 60 hours. In common with most other hor- 

 ticultural jjroducts. the tomato has numerous insect enemies, the most destructive is the Cutworm, 

 (Agrotis telifera) which severs the young plants when first set out, at or near tlie surface of the 

 ground. Various remedies have been suggested such as putting salt, lime, stift" paper aroimd the 

 plants, but the only effectual one, in our^experience, is dailj' hand picking and crnshing so long as 

 cool or wet weather continues. The Stalk Borer (Gortyna Nitela) is another pest, boring into the 

 stalk, and some times eating into tlie green tomato. Last in appearance is the potato or tomato 

 worm (Sphernix 5 Maculata) a large green caterpiUar, eating the foliage, and if not checked com- 

 pletely striping the vine of leaves. For both these, hand picking is tlie best remedy. 



VARIETIES. 



In selecting a variety of tomatoes for market purpose we require, earliness, good size and color, 

 productiveness, and firmness of flesh and skin sutficieut to endure transportation without injury. 

 Of the varieties cultivated in this vicinity : The Tilden is the best for shipping purposes ; early, good 

 size and color, handsome and productive, its only fault is lack of quality, and proneness to rot. 

 Large Smooth Red; five to ten days later than Tilden. handsome, good qualitj- and productive, one 

 of the best. Extra Early Red ; very early, medium size, and productive for a short time, but will 

 not stand dry weatlier. Lester's Perfected, large, quality best, enormously productive, but too 

 late, and does not stand transijortation. Maupey, large, productive, good quality, worthy of further 

 trial. Keye's Early, Alger, Orangefield, Eureka and Cedar Hill, all nearly worthless for market. Of 

 the newer varieties, Brimson, Bluster and General Grant, are xjroductive, and of good quality, but 

 deficient in size and too soft. New York Market, large size, firm, of good quality, and we think will 

 prove valuable. 



And now finally, the question, will it pay to grow tomatoes? "\Ve answer, that those whose expe- 

 rience and knowledge of the business united to a favorable location, will enable them to be always 



