178 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



fair supply of water. Hence it grows well in a dry climate 

 under irrigation. The original tomatoes had small fruits 

 and grew upright like the Irish potato, their relative. 

 But the larger fruits, which have been produced by selec- 

 tion and cultivation, weigh the branches down to the 

 ground and necessitate the staking of the plant to keep it 

 in an erect position. 



The tomato is to-day one of the most popular of vege- 

 tables. It is grown in the open all over the world where the 

 summer is long enough to allow the three months or more 

 free from frost which it requires for its growth. Where 

 the summers are too short and cool, as in England, it is 

 grown extensively in greenhouses. It is remarkably well 

 fitted for growth in subtropical countries during the spring 

 and early summer and late fall. It may be easily grown in 

 tropical lands during the cool season, especially with the 

 help of occasional irrigation. 



By planting under a slat shed, or at an elevation of a 

 few thousand feet, it may be possible to obtain good 

 tomatoes in many tropical localities throughout the year. 

 This wholesome vegetable is indispensable for the tropical 

 garden, and will, with a little care, yield fruit equal to 

 that produced in a more temperate climate. It has some- 

 times been noticed, however, that the seed saved in hot 

 countries, especially from volunteer plants, is degenerate ; 

 but this may be the result of careless selection. To avoid 

 such degeneration, the tomato has been reproduced in 

 the West Indies from year to year by cuttings only. A 

 well-drained soil, judicious irrigation, and mulching in 

 dry weather, trellising and pruning, will give the best 

 results in hot climates. For the tropical garden, the larger 



