THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



301 



inches in diameter and five feet in length should be 

 driven into the ground. They should be set at least 

 six inches from the plants, so that the roots will not 

 be injured. The vines 

 should be tied up with 

 raffia, or strings made 

 out of strips of cloth ; 

 twine is likely to cut 

 them. Care must be 

 taken not to wrap 

 them so tightly as to 

 interfere with their 

 growth. The training 

 should start before the 

 plants begin to trail 

 on the ground. Con- 

 tinue tying them up 

 as they grow. 



Pruning. If the vines 

 are to be supported by 

 wooden or wire trel- 

 lises, three stems may 

 be permitted to grow ; 

 all other side shoots 

 should be pinched off. Remove all the side shoots of 

 plants that are to be fastened to stakes. The time of 

 fruiting may be hastened by pinching off all subsequent 

 blossoms after three clusters of fruit have set. If the 

 fruit is too much shaded, leaves should be removed; 



FIG. 157. Tomato Vines supported with 

 Posts and Wires 



