lo Nov., 19 lo.] Tflijiaio Grozviiig in the North. 



70T 



plants are ripped out and young cabbage or cauliflower plants are put in ; 

 these mature by early spring and are sold out in time to get the land 

 ready for tomato planting again. In this manner two valuable crops are 

 grown on the land each year. 



The returns from some of the well-managed plantations last year were 

 among the very highest of those obtained from any agricultural crop, and 

 when one views the unkind, sterile-looking hills around Bendigo, and the 

 uninviting bush at Echuca, and sees the conquest that has been won in the 

 face of such conditions, by labour, fertilizers and water, he cannot be 

 other than hopeful regarding the future of this industry, when there are 

 thousands of acres of fertile land veined with brimming channels, in 

 Rodney alone, ready to respond to intensi\e culture. Some growers 

 claim to have obtained 1,000 cases per acre; however, one of the oldest 

 and largest growers in Bendigo informed me that he usually expected au 

 average ranging between 600 and 800 cases per acre. Even if a very low 

 market price is put on these it will be seen that the profits are very large. 



BOARDS USED FOR PROTECTING PLANTS FROM FROST, ECHUCA. 



Last season was a good one in many districts. The early tomatoes 

 suff'ered a good deal from frosts and floods, but the market was lively 

 and maintained a good firm tone throughout. 



Varieties. 



It has been found by growers that many of the varieties catalogued 

 by our leading seedsmen are practically worthless for commercial purposes. 

 Most of them are fickle as to soils and situations and will only do w-ell 

 under certain conditions. These conditions are apparently not found in 

 the Nortli ; the consequence is that their culture has been abandoned or 

 restricted to a few isolated patches. Some are of such variable type and 

 poor setting qualities that they cannot be depended on ; w^hile others are 

 of such character and flavour that they only command a very limited sale. 

 The "Selected Large Red" and others known as "French" and 

 " Spanish " are the most favoured by Northern growers. 



Owing to its vigorous constitution, uniform prolificacy, and early 

 maturing qualites, the " Selected Large Red " easily holds pride of place. 

 Growers generally select their own seed from the most prolific and typical 



