— 114 



are not well grown, bnt our experience is quite to the contrary 

 with stocky and vigorou.s plants. But if this increase is worth 

 what it costs is a question which nnist be answered by every 

 grower for himself. The following figures show the increase in 

 earliness and productiv^ene.ss due to early .sowing, there having 

 been in each instance, unless otherwise recorded, eleven plants 

 under trial : 



VALUE OF EARLY SOWING. 



These figures indicate that in every instance the early sown 

 plants gave earlier fruits than the others, and that in every case 

 but one, in which the yields were practically the same, the total 

 yield is much greater. The gain in earline.ss sometimes amoinits 

 to three or even four weeks. The disadvantage of very late plant- 

 ing — middle of May— is particularly pronounced, especially in 

 point of productiveness. This productiveness, however, is really 

 a measure of earliness inasmuch as it simply records the weight of 

 fruit which had ripened up to October loth, when the tomato .sea- 

 son was closed by frost. Could the season have been sufficiently 



