274 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



method of management it is a good plan to cut off a foot 

 or more of the ends of all growing shoots about the middle 

 of August if they are growing rapidly, so that all the strength 

 of the plant may go to ripen the fruit that is well formed 

 and still green. Some growers advise pruning off all but 

 one main stem and two or three laterals and training to 

 a stake, and then pinching off all flower clusters after a 

 few have set fruit. The result of this practice is that 

 earlier and larger fruit, but not so much of it, is borne on 

 the plant. It is a good plan in a small garden to cover the 

 soil under the vines, after they set fruit, with a little hay, 

 so that the fruit may be kept from getting dirty in case 

 they are not trained. This covering should not be heavy 

 enough to keep the ground from getting plenty of sunlight. 

 Plants may also be supported on barrel hoops or other 

 supports, to keep the fruit off the ground. 



Tomatoes in Very Severe Locations. When there is 

 danger of frost in August, a sufficient supply of tomatoes 

 for family use may be grown on the south side of a house, 

 wall, or other protection, especially if the plants are covered 

 on cold nights. Where this seems to be impracticable, 

 a most excellent way is to grow a few plants in barrels 

 placed in warm corners about the buildings. To do this, 

 at planting time select a barrel as large as a coal oil barrel, 

 bore three or four holes in the bottom, sink the barrel 

 about one-third its depth in the ground and pack the earth 

 around it. Fill it about half full of fresh horse manure 

 well tramped down, and pour a bucketful of hot water on 

 this manure. Then put on eight inches of good soil and 

 then a mixture of well-rotted manure and rich black loam 

 in about equal quantities, up within about twelve inches 

 of the top of the barrel; then heap up manure around the 

 outside. Set three plants in this and trim to two shoots 



