NOTES OF TOMATOES. 



I. CUIvTURE. 

 Perhaps the most frequent and noteworthy observation made 

 upon the culture of the tomato during several years of experimen- 

 tation with the plant, is the great increase in vigor and productive- 

 ness which comes from careful handling and good tillage. It often 

 appears as if this vigor is not only characteristic of the immediate 

 generation, but that it is hereditary for a time to a profitable de- 

 gree. "Handling" or transplanting of young plants, when fre- 

 quently and properly done, is invaluable, and so far as the plant 

 is concerned three or four transplantings are better than one. In 

 our own work, in order to get the greatest results from tests, the 

 plants are handled in pots — preferabl}' rose pots — and are trans- 

 planted several times. The handling is expeditious, and is not 

 too expensive for the use of any one who grows tomatoes for 

 home use. For market culture we find that two transplantings are 

 usually profitable. Stocky plants, vigorous and growing rapidly, 

 are better than simply early plants, however, and frequency of 

 transplanting in these remarks must not be confounded with early 

 sowing and consequent necessity for several shiftings. Tomato 

 plants — or any plants, in fact — should not be sliifted for the simple 

 purpose of preventing crowding or "drawing." Transplanting 

 serves the purpose of maintaining a steady and symmetrical 

 growth, and it should occur before the plant becomes checked from 

 neglect. A good tomato plant, at time of setting in field, is one 

 which is stocky enough to hold the weight of the earth and pot 

 when a number of plants are grasped in the hand by their tops 

 and are carried along the rows. They require no staking when 

 set. A tall and weak plant with a blossom on the top we do not 

 consider worth setting. It is a common mistake to set tomato 

 plants in the field too early. Cold nights, even though several de- 

 grees above frost, check the plants, sometimes seriously. 



How early the plants should be started for profit is a question 

 which demands attention. A few writers have maintained of late 

 that nothing is gained in eanliness and productiveness by early 

 starting under glass. This is undoubtedly true if the early plants 



