TOMATOES 



The tomato does best in rich, Hght, sandy, and well- 

 drained soil. Plants may be bought, or the seeds may.be 

 started in flats in March, so that the plants will be from 6 

 to 8 inches high when the weather has become warm and 

 settled. Then the plants should be set out in the garden 

 about 3 feet apart. They should not be set out until two 

 or three weeks after the lettuce has been transplanted. 



Soon after you set out a tomato plant in the garden, drive 

 a stake not less than 3 feet in height securely in the ground 

 beside it. As the plant grows taller, tie it loosely to this 

 stake. 



Usually the lower branches are pruned away so that only 

 one or two main stems are formed. Sometimes plants are 

 set only 2 feet apart each way and pruned to a single stem. 



Tomatoes may easily be canned for winter use (page 49). 

 It is better to choose the dwarf varieties, such as the Stone 

 or Champion. 



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