TOMATO 



281 



Culture should be regular and constant. 



Fertilize as above, under Soil. 



Training should begin as soon as the plants are tall 

 enough to be in danger of being broken down by wind. 

 Tie to stakes or trellis by 

 raffia or soft string, passing 

 once around the stem and 

 taking care not to wrap so 

 tight that the plant cannot en- 

 large. Tie again as the plants 

 grow, and prune according to 

 the system chosen. Training 

 to stakes requires pruning in 

 order to be successful. 



Pinch off the ends of the 

 vine and side shoots if the 

 plant is growing too fast with- 

 out setting fruit. At about 

 the first of September pinch 

 off ends, and all blossoms, so 

 that the fruit already set shall 

 be matured. 



Pick all fruits as soon as 

 they ripen, whether needed 

 or not. 



Protection against frost is possible by covering the 

 vines with cloths or mattings at night; in the home 

 garden the yield may be thus prolonged for some time. 



Fig. 135. Tomato trained to 

 a stake. Note that the stake 

 should be stout. 



