2b4 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



in to cover them to the depth of fully two inches. When the plants 

 were too high for the frame we placed another 12-inch board on 

 top, and our memorandum shows that by April 29th the foliage was 

 pressing against the glass and the first blossoms were in evidence. 

 The plants had also been allowed considerable fresh air on warm 

 days, to harden them for the next and final change. 



The transplanting to the open ground occurred about May 10th, 

 into a sheltered spot on the south side of the barn. Here, again, 

 a number of very slim, delicate plants were rejected, as not show- 

 ing sufficient vigor to promise satisfactory results. The setting was 

 quite deep, in some cases covering six or eight inches of the stalks. 

 No pruning was done at that time, nor were the plants trained or 

 tied up at any time thereafter, excepting as necessary to keep them 

 off the ground. About sixty-five plants made up the collection, and 

 they had been held back as much as possible in their growth up to 

 this time; but from this time on we did all we could to hasten their 

 development. 



Every night for two or three weeks the plants were carefully 

 covered, each one having a gunny sack drawn down over it, sup- 

 ported on stakes. Later in the season, in caring for more than a 

 thousand plants before danger from frost was past,we found o'.her 

 methods of protection, simpler and more effective. Now for re- 

 sults: 



I find these entries in my diary: 



June 27th— Picked the first ripe tomato. 



July 1st Took six pounds of choice tomatoes to the city. 



July nth — Today Yerxa paid me $2.25 for 18 pounds of toma- 

 toes; very smooth and handsome. 



Further items of this kind might be taken from my cash book, 

 but I think I have given sufficient proof that early tomatoes can 

 be grown in the open ground if started properly. Comparing this 

 record with the published report of experiments with fifty-six varie- 

 ties tested in one season at the New Hampshire State Experiment 

 Station, I find reason to call my first products "early." Their rec- 

 ord of first pickings is as follows: 



From one kind, July 8th; from three varieties, July 16th; one 

 the 18th; ten, the 24th; one, the 27th; seven, the 29th. The first 

 fruits of twenty-three kinds came in July, and of thirty-three varie- 

 ties from Aug. 1st to 21st. Average date for the entire lot, Aug- 

 ust 2nd. 



In my unprofessional experiment I have established a record 

 which I expect to beat in the future. 



