SOME OF THE COMMON VEGETABLES 175 



fore planting. Tomatoes need to be supported by being tied 

 to stakes or trellises. Tomatoes need a great deal of room 

 and, if possible, ought to be set three feet apart each way. 



Tomatoes are frequently raised as a field crop for sale to 

 canneries. For such purpose a clover sod on loam soil fur- 

 nishes one of the best conditions for success. It should be 

 plowed rather early and frequently harrowed until time to 

 set the plants. In the latitude of Indiana the plants are set 

 out about June first. The plants are placed about four feet 

 apart each way and are usually set by hand. They are culti- 

 vated frequently, the same as corn. When raised under field 

 conditions, no supports are given to the vines. The plants 

 will begin to produce ripe tomatoes about the middle of 

 August and continue until frost kills them. 



The Gourd Family. — The gourd family has a number of 

 plants which are very useful as vegetables. Of these we 

 may mention squash, pumpkin, muskmelon, watermelon, 

 and cucumber. All of these have come from warm climates, 

 — the pumpkin and squash from several sources, the musk- 

 melon from Asia, the watermelon from Africa, and the cu- 

 cumber from the East Indies. 



The squash and pumpkin grow best on good loam soil. 

 They should be planted six or eight feet apart when planted 

 alone. Many farmers plant squash and pumpkin seeds with 

 their corn. The vines do not grow much until after corn cul- 

 tivation is over. Then they grow rapidly and sometimes pro- 

 duce a large number of squashes and pumpkins. However, 

 the best yields are obtained when they are planted alone. 

 They should not be planted until the weather is quite warm. 

 Where extra early squashes are wanted, the plants are started 

 in hot-beds and cold-frames and then transplanted. 



