Tomato 



fast as they appear, and when the fruit has set, or the requisite height 

 is attained, the top is also pinched out. 



The space allowed for each plant varies greatly, especially among 

 growers for market. Under glass every branched Tomato should be 

 allowed at least three feet each way, and in the open ground four 

 feet between rows facilitates the work. For cordons we advocate a 

 distance between the rows of three feet, and a space of two feet in 

 the row is not too much. The stems require support of some kind, 

 and, although more expensive, stakes are preferable to string ; but of 

 course the stems may be secured to wires whenever it is convenient 

 to run the plants immediately under the glass. 



Another point upon which authorities differ is the extent to which 

 Tomatoes should be denuded of their foliage. Some growers con- 

 demn the procedure entirely ; others reduce their plants to skeletons. 

 Both extremes are objectionable, for when all the leaves are permitted 

 to remain there is delay or partial failure in colouring the fruit, and 

 the almost entire removal of foliage checks the root action injuriously. 

 In practice it answers well to wait until the fruit has set, then by 

 pinching out the leading point of each leaf, commencing at the 

 bottom, ripening and colouring are promoted, and the health of the 

 plant remains unimpaired. 



In dull weather, and especially in short days, a difficulty is some- 

 times experienced in setting the fruit, particularly the first bunch. 

 After fruit has begun to swell on one bunch, the remainder set with 

 comparative ease. A rather higher temperature than usual combined 

 with free movement of the atmosphere is generally sufficient to insure 

 fertilisation, especially with the ribbed varieties. But some of the 

 handsome smooth kinds are a little shy, and they can be assisted by 

 a very simple expedient. If necessary, water the plants early in the 

 afternoon, and close the house rather before the usual time. The 

 warm atmosphere will develop plenty of pollen, and a gentle shaking 

 of the flower bunches with a slight touch from a hazel twig will 

 liberate visible clouds, which will effectually set the fruit. Another 

 method is to lift a flat label or paper knife against the flowers. The 

 label becomes covered with pollen, and by gently touching each 

 flower with a slight upward pressure a great number can be fertilised 

 in a few minutes. A soft brush passed over the flowers daily has 

 the same effect. Plants in the open ground need no such attention 

 if they are in good health and the season is at all genial. In almost 

 every bunch of flowers one will be found that is fasciated or confused, 

 and it should be pinched out to prevent the formation of large 



T 37 



