94 Tomatoes 



Those who have had no experience in pruning 

 tomatoes might do well to wait until the vines 

 blossom before trimming out the branches, when it 

 can be seen where the thickest spots will be. The 

 smaller and weaker branches should be thinned 

 out, leaving the more vigorous ones. 



Tall, top-heavy vines should be guarded against, 

 or the fruit will sag to the ground. 



The longer tomatoes can be cultivated without 

 injuring the plants the better the yield and quality 

 of the fruit. Shallow cultivation can be kept up 

 until the ripening season is well advanced if the 

 vines have been properly staked. This is especi- 

 ally important during a drought. 



When especially large and fine fruit are desired, 

 prune the tomato to one stem, usually the first 

 main stem. All laterals, or side branches, and all 

 suckers should be removed as soon as they start 

 in order to save all the sustenance for the one 

 stem. 



Removing branches with the fingers is just as satis- 

 factory in every way as cutting with a knife and 

 there will not be the danger of the knife injuring 

 some part of the branch which is not to be cut. 



