EARLY TOMATOES IN THE OPEN GROUND. 285 



The President: Mr. Baeheller has given New Hampshire 

 rather too much credit. Their experiment station has been re- 

 moved to the extreme southern part of the state. They are en 

 the 43rd and we are on the 45th parallel. I will say in regard to 

 this paper that for the last few years I have driven stakes — ordi- 

 nary stakes, cut in the woods — fifteen inches apart, and set the 

 tomato plants about the first of June. I tied them to the stakes 

 twice, once about two feet above the ground and once, near the 

 top, and in that way it has been much more satisfactory than letting 

 them lie on the ground. I think I would have got a few more 

 tomatoes if I had planted in the usual way and allowed them to 

 spread out more, but it is more handy to gather the tomatoes where 

 they are just about opposite the breast, and they are smoother and 

 better in every way than if they are allowed to run, and they are 

 cleaner and less liable to rot than if sprawling on the ground. I 

 have had ripe tomatoes in June, but only a few — three or four 

 perhaps on one vine — and then they began way back in the begin- 

 ning, and the rest of the crop is not a particle ahead of those that 

 were started at three inches high in June. So I have given up 

 trying to do anything more than that. I start them at the usual 

 time and set them out about the first of June. 



Mr. C. H. True (Iowa) : "I do not know when I ever felt 

 so much at home in such a large company of people as I have since 

 coming into your midst this week. I have never been able to visit 

 this society before, I was never in your city until last Monday. I 

 met many old time friends here that I have not seen for years, and 

 when they learned I was to attend this meeting they sent word to 

 me that I should come right to their homes, but I have not visited 

 any of them yet. I have been so interested in these meetings that 

 I have not taken pains to look them up. I presume I will have to 

 remain over until Monday for that purpose alone. I have felt much 

 and enjoyed much and learned much in these few days I have spent 

 with you. I have my note book full from cover to cover. When 

 I go back to Iowa I shall not know where to begin or where to 

 leave off. I shall be glad to be able to report the progress you are 

 making and the good time I have had here with you. I feel very 

 grateful for the many acts of courtesy and kindness that have been 

 shown to me while I have been with you in these meetings. 

 I gained facts and information here that I think I shall carry with 

 me all through life, and this information will be a great help to 

 me in mv work." 



