

THE DIVERSIFIED FARM. 



Tn diversified farming by irrigation lies the salvation of agriculture. 



THE AGE wants to brighten the pages of its Diversified Farm department, and with 

 this object in view it requests its readers everywhere to send in photographs and 

 pictures of fields, orchards and farm homes; prize-taking horses, cattle, sheep or hogs. 

 Also sketches or plans of convenient and commodious barns, hen houses, corn cribs, 

 etc. Sketches of labor-saving devices, suce as ditch cleaners and watering troughs ~ 

 A good illustration of a windmill irrigation plant is always interesting. Will you help- 

 us to improve the appearance of THE AGE ? 



CULTIVATION OF TOMATOES. 



Tomato growing is one of the most 

 pleasant and profitable industries for the 

 farmer and market gardiner. The fruit 

 can be used in many ways for household 

 necessities, and where a market is near 

 there is good money in marketing. Under 

 ordinary circumstances an acre will pro- 

 duce 200 to 500 bushels of first class 

 fruits. If this be sold in crates, of three- 

 fourths of a bushel each, the crop will 

 bring $200 to $500 per acre. In some 

 localities the price seldom drops below five 

 cents a pound, but as a general rule choice 

 tomatoes will command at least two cents 

 throughout the season. 



The tomato may be grown on any 

 average soil, but will yield more satis- 

 factory returns from a light sandy loam, 

 with warm exposure. If the land is too 

 rich from barnyard manure, the vines will 

 probably be too rank, and fruits not ripen. 

 Tomatoes require considerable nitrogen 

 and must have suitable fertilizers con- 

 taining this element of plant food. If the 

 ground is well prepared and about a half 

 ton of fertilizer containing a proportion of 

 available phosphoric acid 7 per cent., pot- 

 ash- 6 and nitrogen 4 the plant foods will 

 be all that the crop requires. 



There are many varieties possessing 

 differing degrees of merit, but, as a rule, 



the Stone will give entire satisfaction as a 

 hard, long shipper. The Canada Victor 

 is a fine, solid tomato, desirable for ship- 

 ping or canning. Among the large 

 varieties the Imperial is one of the best. 

 The old timers such as the Acme, Beauty 

 and Perfection each have good qualities, 

 and are always in demand. It is well for 

 the grower to study the conditions of soil^. 

 climate and market facilities, before 

 selecting seed, then secure several seed 

 catalogues and read up the characteristics 

 of each variety before deciding what to 

 plant. Seed should be obtained fresh, 

 every year from reliable growers. If early 

 tomatoes are wanted, and they are the 

 most profitable, the seed may be started 

 in boxes in the house, or hot beds out of 

 doors. For late plants the best plan is to- 

 burn a brush heap, in some fair spot, rake 

 off the trash, and dig in the ashes, while 

 warm, and sow the seed broadcast. After 

 raking in and firming the suiface with a 

 shovel, place a good covering of fine 

 brush over the bed and leave until all 

 danger of frost is over. These plants will 

 be hearty. 



Transplanting is best done while the 

 plants are small, only four leaves showing.. 

 A dibble, or sharpened peg about ten 

 inches long, in the shape of a carrot, is 

 the best tool for this work. Where the 

 land is irrigated, ditches should be filled 



