]36 THE GARDENER. [March 



early in February. The plants obtained from this sowing, if treated in the 

 same manner as advised for the earliest crop, would be ready to place into 

 their fruiting quarters in about seven weeks. With us, some of this batch, as 

 before stated, are placed in boxes at the coolest end of small span -roofed forc- 

 ing-houses, and are the first to ripen. Others are placed in similar boxes and 

 grown under the same treatment at the extreme ends of the earliest vinery and 

 Peach houses. It must be understood that, although we have grown large 

 quantities of early fruit simultaneously, our aim is to keep up a moderate and 

 continuous supply in accordance with the available room. We once grew a 

 large quantity in various positions, in a newly-j^lanted vinery; and others may 

 well follow this example without any fear of injuring the Vines. If the pro- 

 duce is not wanted for home consumption, it will sell well in the London 

 markets, especially during May and June. In our case we grew a number 

 of plants singly in 12-inch pots, which were arranged thickly along a strong 

 and high back shelf, a good distance below the wires stretched across the 

 rafters; and were therefore suitable, both for training the Tomatoes down 

 the roof and the Vines up. The former in this position set their crops very" 

 freely, the consequence of receiving abundance of light and air ; and when 

 the fruit was ripening, formed a very attractive sight. The pots being ex- 

 posed to the sun, much water had to be given to the roots — one watering 

 a-day not always being sufficient ; yet they were no more trouble than are 

 Kidney Beans and Strawberries when grown in these positions, and are cer- 

 tainly not so liable to leave a legacy of green-fly, red-spider, or mildew behind 

 them. In the majority of vineries it would be difficult to train the plants 

 down the wires ; but in many instances, with a little scheming, they might be 

 trained along the back wall. 



"Another plan adopted by some gardeners, and which I have also tried with 

 fairly satisfactory results, is to grow a row of plants, either in pots or planted 

 out at the foot of the back walks of vineries and Peach houses : when in the 

 latter, the trees are not grown on the back wall. The situation, however, 

 should the Vines or Peaches overhead be rather thickly trained, is not a 

 very good one. The Tomatoes do not receive sufficient light in this position, 

 as a rule; and to obviate this diflBculty somewhat, and also to prevent them, 

 when planted out, from exhausting the borders, we enclosed a space between 

 the pathway and the wall, and above the border level, about 18 inches wide 

 and 3 feet deep, with strong boards. The boards were painted the same colour 

 as the house ; and the strong upright stakes to which they were nailed being 

 inside, all unsightliness was avoided. Galvanised wire was stretched across 

 laths nailed to the wall, and to this the Tomatoes were trained. Nailing the 

 plants to the wall would of course be objectionable. Stakes would have 

 answered the purpose ; but the wire, after being fixed, is no further trouble, and 

 stakes are not always to be had in quantity. The soil employed was princi- 

 pally obtained from the garden. To every two barrow-loads of this common 

 garden-soil was added one barrow of turf and manure from an old mushroom- 

 bed, this mixture being considered quite rich enough for the position. When 

 grown in this manner, crowding must be avoided, or very great difficulty will 

 be experienced in setting a crop. The plants should be about 18 inches apart ; 

 and if well attended to in watering and disbudding, they will continue fruiting 

 far into the summer — in fact, till those on the walls are, or should be, coming 

 into use. If extra large fruit are wanted, it is advisable to top the plants, and 

 also to mulch over the roots with good manure, and give liquid manure fre- 

 quently. 



