154 TOMATO. 
fruits were borne, but it was not until about 15 or 20 feet 
from the building that a full crop was obtained. The ill 
effects of shade are also visible upon the north benches of 
houses running east and west, where the plants are shaded 
somewhat by those in the center of the house. During 
the middle of winter the north bench in the house will 
ordinarily produce no more than half as much fruit, even 
in an unequal-spanned house, as those in direct sunlight. 
The plants in partial shade grow as well and as large as 
those in full sun, and they often blossom well, but the 
fruit does not set. 
The proper temperature for tomatoes is from 60° to 65° 
at night, and 10° higher for dull days. On bright days 
it may be allowed to run higher, although we always 
wish to ventilate at 75°, but a temperature of go° or even 
100° can dono harm. Until fruit begins to set, the atmos- 
phere should be kept moist, especially on bright days, but 
the setting of the fruit is hindered by a humid atmosphere. 
Soil and fertilizers.—Nearly all writers upon house cul- 
tivation of tomatoes assert that the soil should be only 
moderately rich, because heavily manured plants are over- 
vigorous in growth, are generally unproductive, and are 
particularly liable to disease; and the additional cost of 
training is said to be considerable. Our experience em- 
phatically contradicts this supposition. Heavily manured 
plants undoubtedly require more care in the pruning, and 
itis possible that when not properly handled they may be 
more liable to mildew, because of the dense and crowded 
growth; but, on the other hand, we always get the best 
yield from the strongest plants, and we find the extra cost 
of training to be of little account. We grow the plants in 
rich garden loam, to which is added a fourth or fifth of its 
bulk of well-rotted manure, and when the plants begin to 
bear, liquid manure is applied nearly every week, ora top- 
dressing of manure is given. To those unaccustomed to 
forcing-house work this may seem extravagant fertilizing ; 
but it must be remembered that in house cultivation the 
