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The Canadian Horticulturist. 175 



TO GROW THE FINEST TOMATOES. 



ELECT a sandy loam with a southern exposure. Put on well-rotted 

 stable manure at the rate of 10 to 15 loads per acre. Plow and 

 harrow well, so that it may be thoroughly incorporated with the soil, 

 or in place of this, 2 or 3 shovelfuls of rich compost may be added 

 to each hill. Sow the seed, and sow only that purchased from reli- 

 able dealers, or saved from the finest, earliest specimens, in the hot- 

 bed, the first of March. When 2 in. high transplant into cold 

 frames, 3 or 4 in. apart. Be sure to shade and water the plants until well rooted. 

 Transplant again, when 4 in. high, 8 in. apart. This will make fine, stocky 

 plants, with strong roots. Of course, protect the cold frames from frosts or 

 storms by covering when necessary, but manage to give light and air as soon as 

 possible after the danger is over. 



By all means be careful not to set the plants in the open air until all danger 

 from late frosts is over. The risk is too great and you gain nothing, as the 

 plants are growing faster. If properly transplanted, the earth made "firm" 

 around the stalks, they will be retarded very little. It is better if possible to 

 set just before a rain, or if this cannot be done late in the afternoon, so that 

 they may have the coolness of the night to revive in, but if strong plants and 

 well set, they will wilt but little, and in a day or two will look as thrifty as ever. 

 Set the plants 4 by 4 ft. each way with the exception of the dwarf Champion, 

 which will bear 3 by 3 ft. Cultivate both ways with a horse cultivator. Should 

 an unexpected frost occur after setting in the open ground, the plants may be 

 saved, unless very badly frozen, by a thorough sprinkling with cold water. We 

 once saved half an acre by this means ; but it must be done before sunrise. In 

 the North, where frost comes early in the fall, pull the vines before frost ; throw 

 them in a large pile or piles and cover with hay or straw. Green tomatoes, 

 matured enough, will ripen and repay you for the trouble. — Farm and Home. 



Death of a Dirp:ctor. — On Tuesday, the 17th of April last, at his home 

 at Cataraqui, near Kingston, Mr. David Nicol was suddenly removed by death. 

 On page 132, Volume XV. of this journal, will be found an interesting sketch 

 of his life, so that little more need he added at this time. He had been elected 

 a member of the Board of Control for Experiment Station work, but was unable 

 to attend the meeting of this Board at Guelph. He was also asked to act as 

 one of the experimenters, but his duties as Superintendent of the Cataraqui 

 Cemetery, and his own business, were, in his opinion, as much as he could 

 undertake. The sincerest sympathy of our directorate is extended to the 

 mourning friends, for we have lost a wise counsellor, and a contributor to this 

 journal, whose valuable articles have been highly appreciated by its readers. 

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