44° The Canadian Horticulturist. 



TOMATOES AS A WINTER CROP. 



The winter forcing of tomatoes is one of the most interesting, satisfactory 

 and often most profitable operations of the gardener. The most important con- 

 ditions are a warm, hght house — a two-thirds span, facing south, being prefer- 

 able — strong bottom heat, rich soil, careful training, uniform temperature, care 

 in watering and pollinating, constant watchfulness and good judgment. We 

 plan for two crops each season. The first is started by July i to 15. Place 

 them on the fruiting benches in September, and the crop is in its prime at the 

 holiday season, but lasts into February. The second crop, started in October, 

 takes the place of the other in February. On the fruiting benches, four plants 

 are grown in a box 18 in. square and i ft, deep. Each plant is trained to a 

 single stem, and occupies i^ sq. ft. of floor space. Strong flax cord — the size 

 of wool twine — -extends from the base of each plant to the roof. The plant is 

 secured to it by raffia bands. From much study I am convinced that failure to 

 fruit well is often due to insufficiency of pollen on the stigma. The only atten- 

 tion we have found necessary to remedy this is, on bright days, when the 

 atmosphere is relatively dry, to give to each plant two or three sharp taps w'th a 

 padded stick. Ths most satisfactory varieties for forcing are Lorillard, Ithaca, 

 Chemin Market, Optimus and Golden Queen. The average crop with us has 

 been about ij''^ lbs. per sq. ft. of floorjspace, which at 50c. pays well.-— Prof. 

 W. W. MuNSON to Massachusetts Horticultural Society. 



Fertilizers for Various fruits. — Professor Fields, of the Pennsylvania 

 Experiment Station, is reported to give the amount of various ingredients 

 removed from the soil by certain fruit crops as follows : " An acre of apples pro- 

 ducing 360 bushels removes from the soil 24 pounds of nitrogen, 2 pounds of 

 phosphoric acid and 34 pounds of potash, all valued at $5.74. An acre of 

 pears yielding 335 bushels removes 16 pounds nitrogen, 5 pounds phosphoric 

 acid and 14 pounds of potash, total value $3.60. Grapes harvesting 8,160 

 pounds per acre contain 13 pounds nitrogen, 4 pounds of phosphoric acid, 22 

 pounds potash, worth $3.61. Peaches yielding 335 bushels per acre remove 3 

 pounds of phosphoric acid and 10 pounds of potash. 



The amount of nitrogen required by the above yield of peaches was not 

 given. 



Flowering" Shrubs in Winter. — One of the most charming flower dis- 

 plays in winter is secured by boxing a few of our prettier but common shrubs, 

 such as lilacs, deutzias, syringas and spireas. Small lilacs should be grown stocky 

 in our gardens for this special service. Dig them in the fall and place in the 

 cellar for a few weeks. Remove to a warm room about two weeks before 

 flowers are needed. In this way you may have a succession of lilacs all winter. 

 The fragrance fills the house. A very easy shrub to force is the yellow flowering 

 current. This is also very fragrant, No special care is needed in forcing shrubs 

 except to keep them watered. — Amer. Agriculturist. 



