98 MARKET GARDENING 



Fruit from such plants can be had in forty to forty-five 

 days. 



Fertilizers. The soil should be liberally supplied with 

 rotted manure, ploughed under and thoroughly incor- 

 porated with the soil by discing. A high grade, complete 

 fertilizer, containing 4% nitrogen, 8% phosphoric acid and 

 10% potash, should be applied at the rate of 1000 to 2000 

 pounds per acre just previous to setting the plants in the 

 field. 



Training. In general practice, the plants are set three 

 by three to four by five feet apart, and the plants are 

 allowed to rest on the ground as they become larger and 

 bear fruit. Pruning the vines and training them to stakes 

 is sometimes practiced in the field. When the plants are to 

 be staked and pruned, they should be set eighteen inches 

 apart in the row. A stake is provided for each plant and 

 the plant is kept pruned to a single stem. After a sufficient 

 number of clusters of fruit have been set, the top of the 

 plant is cut off. As the lower leaves become old and spotted 

 they should be pruned or entirely cut off. It is an advan- 

 tage to shake the plants every day when they are in blossom 

 to aid in setting the fruits. 



Harvest ng. Tomatoes, whether grown for a local or 

 distant market, should be gathered before becoming 

 entirely ripe. At the height of the season the fruit should 

 be gathered every day. 



Tomatoes are marketed in small splint baskets holding 

 five to ten pounds each, also in bushel boxes and baskets. 



