TRUCK FARMING. 623 



Squash Vine-borer {^geria cucurhitce) : (4) the Melou-worm {Phaccl- 

 lura hijaUnitaUs), and (5) the Squash Lady-bird {Coccinella boreaUs). 



The greater injury is done by the two diabroticce, injuring the seed in 

 the ground, and by the Squash Lady-bird. The latter is readily dis- 

 covered and may be picked off and killed. 



The Tomato {Lycoj^ersiciim csculentmn). 



Until tomatoes became so extensively grown in Florida, coming into 

 market so early in the season, this was perhaps the most proti table 

 crop grown. When properly produced, carefully and judiciously 

 handled, it is sure to carry safely during a fair season. The farm gar- 

 deners on Long Island rarely get more than from 25 cents to $1 per bushel 

 basket. Formerly Savannah-grown frequently sold for $8 and SIO in 

 Baltimore and Boston. Of recent years $4 is the highest price obtained. 

 The yield is from 100 to 200 crates per acre. The season of picking be- 

 ing of longer duration at the North and the stand closer, the yield is 400 

 bushels. 



A good market variety should be of bright red color, round and 

 smooth, with few seeds, must be firm, and ripen evenly. The Acme 

 and the Mayflower are at present the favorite varieties. A very large 

 variety, like the Trophy, is not wanted. 



With the exception of the egg-plant this vegetable resists drought 

 better than any other. A light sandy soil produces finer, firmer, better 

 carrying fruit than a heavy one. If the soil be wet or badly drained, 

 the plants are apt to die before maturing fruit. Indeed, when manured 

 on high ground with fresh muck the fruit is liable to rot. It is a plant 

 which does not require heavy manuring, If well decayed, a shovelful 

 of manure to the hill on fair soil will suffice. 



Slow growth being desirable in order that stocky plants may be pro- 

 duced, the seed should be sown under glass on unmanured soil as early 

 as Christmas. If later, the soil may be enriched a little so that plants 

 of good size be obtained. The management of plants under glass has 

 already been alluded to. No crowding should be permitted. Plants 

 thinned out may be "i^icked out" or "spotted" into cold frames, or 

 slightly-warmed hot beds, 4 or 5 inches apart, where they will have 

 room for stocky growth. If every other row of seedlings, the rows hav- 

 ing been 3 or 4 inches apart, are pulled, there will be space left for the 

 remaining to fill out and for hilling them up to encourage the growth 

 of roots from the covered stem, facilitating growth when ultimately put 

 out. 



Having grown i)lant« of proper sizes and endurance or hardiness, 

 they should be transferred to the open ground as soon as the season 

 may i)ermit (in the latter part of March, at Savannah). A strong 

 t^tocky plant will better endure cold and be invulnerable to injury by 

 cut worms. 



On light sandy land the distance apart may be 3^ by 4J or 5 feet, 

 while on a rich sandy loam, well manured, 3^ by 7 or even more may be 

 necessary. In cultivating this crop it is well to earth up to the stem 

 to encourage the issuing of new roots. 



The distance from market or the delay of transportation will deter- 

 mine the degree of rijieness at which the fruit should be picked in order 

 that it may be fully ripe and of proper color upon arrival in market. 

 At Savannah it should just be commencing to show a yellow cast, and 

 further south as soon as it has attained full growth and has about 

 nearly reached that stage of ripeness. Frequently the picking is done 



