448 VILLA GARDENING part v 



a moimd of soil (the sweei^ings of the potting -shed, or old soil 

 saved from the renovation or renewal of Vine or Peach borders 

 will do) against the foot of the wall, and plant in the mound. 

 When the fruits are swelling rapidly and approaching the ripening 

 stage, gradually remove a few of the leaves to let in the sunshine. 

 In autumn when frost is expected the late fruits will ripen off if 

 gathered and placed in a warm kitchen, or in a genial situation 

 anywhere. 



The Tomato under Glass. — Given a light house and a night 

 temperature of 60°, the Tomato may he had all the year round. 

 Within the memory of middle-aged people the Tomato was only 

 regarded as a useful sauce-producer. Now it is used in many and 

 various ways ; and in the future it is not impossible that varieties 

 may be raised suitable for dessert. Much of this has been brought 

 about by its culture under glass. In the open air, in many places, 

 it is a precarious crop. Very frequently the fruits refuse to ripen, 

 and when they get colour they lack the flavom- of fruits grown 

 and ripened under glass ; and very often, too, they fall a prey to a 

 disease similar in character and appearance to that which causes 

 such destruction to its relative, the Potato. 



Raising the Plants. — Under glass I have had one set of 

 plants which went through the year without renewal ; but young 

 plants should be raised at least every year, as they produce the 

 finest fruit, and are so easily raised that there is nothing gained by 

 prolongation beyond a year. The plants may be raised from seeds, 

 Ijut I like cuttings best, for I think they come into bearing earlier, 

 and the plants are so healthy and strong in both cases that one 

 need not consider the question of losing or gaining in vigour. As 

 a matter of fact, I think the seedlings are sometimes over-vigorous, 

 and require cm'tailment at the roots in order to moderate the 

 exuberance. The best time to take cuttings is in summer, say in 

 August, and they will strike in a shady place, in a frame, or under 

 a handlight best, or on the shelf in the greenhouse — in fact, any- 

 where. They are best put into single pots of small size, and 

 shifted into larger ones as reqiured, until the time comes to plant 

 them out. If struck early in August and grown on steadily, they 

 may be taken in a fruiting condition in pots, and transferred to 

 the Tomato-house in time to begin bearing early in spring, when 

 fruits are most valuable, so that really there need not be any 

 break, as the crop in possession of the house, if carefully managed, 

 will go on bearing till the time of its removal. I have said " if 

 carefully managed," but really very little care is required. To do 

 them justice, they must have 



A Light House. — It may either be span-roofed or a lean-to. 



