TOMATO 279 



large quantities, or it will cause too late fruiting. 

 Chemical fertilizers should be applied in proportion to 

 the manure used, and generally speaking should be rich 

 in potash. Nitrate of soda is especially valuable with 

 Tomatoes, but should be properly given; if much ma- 

 nure has been dug in, the nitrate should be less, and vice 

 versa. For an especially early crop a light warm loam 

 should be chosen, and the nitrate applied at the rate of 

 150 to 250 pounds per acre, at the time of setting out. 

 For a general crop a slightly heavier loam may be 

 chosen, and the nitrate applied at the rate of 200 

 pounds per acre in three equal dressings, the first at 

 setting out, the others at intervals of about three 

 weeks. Tomato soil should be in good tillage at the 

 time of setting out. 



Distances are somewhat according to variety, but 

 chiefly according to methods of training. The rows 

 should be three to four feet apart. If the plants are 

 to be trained to a single stem, they may be set eighteen 

 inches or even closer in the rows. If they are to be 

 pruned to two or three stems, set farther apart, until 

 if they are to be allowed to cover the ground set three 

 by three or four by four feet according to the richness 

 of the ground. 



Depth. Sow in the flats or frame about one-eighth 

 inch deep. Outdoors one-half to one inch deep. 



Sow under glass about the middle of March, or 

 from six to ten weeks before the time of setting but, 



