296 VEGETABLE FORCING 



of greenhouse tomatoes. Bordeaux mixture is appar- 

 ently the best spray material to combat this disease. 



Various other diseases, such as Fusarium wilt, anthrac- 

 nose, mosaic or calico leaf and bacterial blight, are often 

 found on greenhouse tomatoes, but the most important 

 diseases are the Leaf Mold and Blossom-End Rot. 



Fig. 95. Each paper box holds six pounds of tomatoes, and eight boxes may be 

 packed in a standard bushel box, such as is used in the Boston district. 



Marketing. Greenhouse tomatoes should not be har- 

 vested until they are well colored, because quality is in- 

 variably sacrificed if they are picked too green. If to be 

 sold on a local market, there is no necessity for picking 

 them before they are fully ripe. It is desirable to 

 examine the plants at least three times a week in order 

 to remove all specimens at the proper degree of ripeness. 

 The fruits should be handled with great care, to avoid 

 bruising, and it is customary to pick them with the calyx 

 attached. Early in the forenoon is the preferable time 

 for gathering the fruits because they are then cooler and 

 more solid than at midday when the sun may be shining 

 and the houses are very warm. 



The fruits are wiped, if necessary, with a damp cloth 

 and then graded. Rigid grading is absolutely necessary 

 if a reputation for first-class fruit is desired. No. 1 or 

 fancy grades should be free from very small, ill-shaped, 

 cracked, bruised, spotted or otherwise defective speci- 



