164 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



TOMATO CULTURE. 



CHAPTER Ylll.— {Continued.) 

 Planting Main Crop and Protecting from Frost. 



The advantages claimed are as follows : 



1. When the plants are set upright considerable loss often occurs by high 

 winds breaking off the plants. When planted by my method there is no such 

 loss. 



2. The roots can be planted nearer the surface, and at the same time the 

 stem of the plant can be buried up to where the limbs come out. The stem so 

 buried will strike roots readily and cause the plants to grow more rapidly and 

 yield more fruit. The roots being near the surface, and not shaded by the foli- 

 age of the plants, will get the full benefit of an extra amount of heat from the 

 sun, which will cause them to strike new roots quickly and consequently to grow 

 rapidly. 



3. When late spring frosts occur, as they often do, the plants can be 

 readily covered with the soil so as to make them perfectly safe from frost as fol- 

 lows : Raise the plants up and draw the soil under them so as to raise it about 

 two inches above the surface. Now stand on the north side of the plant and 

 with a hoe draw the soil carefully on the plant, covering the stem first and finish- 

 ing at the top of the plant. Cover about three-fourths of an inch deep and they 

 will be safe from the most severe spring frost that may come. If the next day 

 continues cold and there is danger of frost the second night, the soil may be 

 left on until the next morning, but it should never be left on longer than neces- 

 sary. To uncover the plants kneel down on the north side of the plant and use 

 both hands, one on each side, draw the soil off in the same direction in which 

 the plant lies ; shake the plant up lightly and the work is done. 



Long experience has taught me that the above plan is the cheapest, safest 

 and quickest way to protect plants from frost. If by any mishap plants are 

 partly frozen, they will seldom yield a profitable crop. Even when not more 

 than one-fourth of the plant is frozen, the rest of the plant will be so chilled and 

 stunted that it will take a long time to recover. If good plants are on hand it 

 will be best to pull out all such plants and promptly replace with others. 



CHAPTER IX. 



After Cultivation of Main Crop. 



As soon as the weeds can be seen springing through, take a good one-horse 

 cultivator, set it wide and go through them once a week, or oftener if required. 



