214 GARDENING FOE PROFIT. 



which it is managed, places it readily under the control of 

 the least experienced. It is now grown here almost en- 

 tirely by those who grow Peas, Potatoes, Melons, and 

 other crops of the " farm gardens," as our market gardens 

 proper are too highly enriched and much too limited in ex- 

 tent to render the cultivation of the Tomato profitable. 

 To produce early crops, the seed must be put down in hot- 

 beds or forcing pits, about ten weeks before the plants are 

 safe or fit to put in the open ground. Thus, in this dis- 

 trict, we sow in a hot-bed about the first week in 

 March ; in April, the plants are fit to be set out, at a dis- 

 tance of 4 or 5 inches apart, in another hot-bed. They 

 are grown there (proper attention being given to the hot- 

 beds as directed under that head) until the middle of 

 May, when they are safe to place in the open ground. 

 They are planted, for early crops, on light sandy soil, at a 

 distance of 3 feet apart, in hills, in which a good shovelfull 

 of rotted manure has been mixed. On heavy soils, which 

 are not suited for an early crop, they should be planted 

 4 feet apart. Some attach great importance to topping 

 the leading shoot of the Tomato, so that it bi'anches, 

 arguing that by this means we get an earlier and heavier 

 crop ; all our experience shows that no benefit whatever is 

 derived from the practice. Like all vegetables grown on 

 so large a scale, and in such varying soil and climate, the 

 Tomato sells in our markets at prices varying widely, from 

 $10 down to 25 cents per bushel. The average price for 

 those raised in the district, being about $1 per bushel. 

 The quantity raised per acre is about 400 bushels. This 

 may seem at first glance to be quite a profitable crop for 

 a farmer ; but, every acre necessitates the use of at least 



