CHAP. XII VILLA GAEDENIXG 447 



from the full light ; aud in oiir short, often sunless summers, this 

 is a very important matter. If necessary the plants should be 

 shifted on into larger pots, though a very little check when they 

 have made some progress w*ill do them no harm : it vrill simply 

 have a hai"dening effect upon them. As soon as the weather is 

 settled in May, or, say, about the third week, plant out. In the 

 South of England Tomatoes wiU succeed in any warm jwsition, 

 but they cannot have too much heat in our climate. Though we 

 may plant in any warm situation, even away from a wall, it must 

 not be forgotten that the warmest positions at the foot of a south 

 wall are most advantageous. 



The best mode of training is that which ensures early ripening 

 rather than heavy unripe crops ; and this can be best attained by 

 confining the growth to one or two main stems, which should be 

 started when the plants are young, by pinching out the leader. A 

 two-stemmed plant will require 2 feet of sjjace or a little more. A 

 plant having only one stem vail not requii'e more than 15 inches. 

 As soon as planted, and the soil is settled round them by watering, 

 a tie shoidd be placed to each stem. If against a wall, a naU and 

 shred may be used, but the latter should be placed loosely round 

 the stem to allow space for the large expansion which will ensue. 

 If planted on the open border, a strong stake 4 feet long' shoidd 

 be placed near each stem, and a piece of matting placed roimd the 

 stake and fastened to it first, and then the stem of the plant shoidd 

 be loosely fastened also. In the after -training all side shoots 

 should be rubbed off as they appear (this will involve weekly 

 attention), and aU the plant's strength directed upwai-ds into the 

 main stem. Sometimes the leaders are pinched when the fii'st 

 cluster of flowers appears. This throws strength into the blossoms 

 and the next shoot, which breaks away from the leader and grows 

 on till another cluster of blossoms is put forth, when another 

 pinching of the leader takes place, and so on, a check to growth 

 being given as each cluster of fruit is formed. I do not think it 

 really matter's much whether these pinchings or checks are given 

 or not, for I have proved that a plant which is allowed to gi'ow 

 straight onwards, unstopped, will bear as much fruit as one that is 

 pinched. All that is gained by pinching is the confinement of 

 growth to a smaller space, and if the wall or the fence on which 

 the plants are to be trained is a very low one, then pinching may 

 be useful, but otherwise is not of much value. Beyond pinching 

 and training, the summer cultui'e is almost nothing. Weeds, of 

 course, must be kept down ; and if the summer should be hot 

 and dry, mulching and watering may be beneficial. In cold wet 

 districts the plants must occupy a south waU, and, if possible, lay 



