The Culture of Vegetables 



and ugly fruit. The remainder of the bunch will be the finer for its 

 absence. 



As a near relation of the Potato, the Tomato is equally susceptible 

 to unfavourable atmospheric influences ; but the former is grown in 

 the open, subject to caprices of the seasons, while the latter is chiefly 

 cultivated under glass with the aid of fire heat, and this affords 

 a practical mastery of the situation. Under such conditions the 

 presence of disease should be regarded as convincing evidence of 

 mismanagement. The deadliest foe of the Tomato is the fungus which 

 attacks the leaves, and of all fragile forms of parasitic vegetation this 

 is surely the most delicately sensitive. A passing breath, or the 

 rapid movement of the hand over the surface, and the fungus is dis- 

 persed, filling the atmosphere with countless spores. Another disease 

 begins with a dark spot in the fruit, which rapidly spreads from 

 one plant to another. Both diseases are generated by conditions 

 which to a large extent are avoidable in houses properly heated 

 and possessing facilities for free ventilation. In a stagnant humid 

 atmosphere disease may be evolved within twenty-four hours, and 

 this fact conveys a lesson which cannot be misunderstood. Still 

 foggy nights present the greatest difficulty ; but however dull and 

 motionless the atmosphere may be without, the air within the house 

 must be kept in circulation. If necessary, increase the fire heat to 

 maintain temperature, open the top-lights, and admit air freely against 

 the hot pipes, so that it may be warmed on its entrance. One of the 

 best means of effecting this both in Tomato houses and Vineries is 

 to insert tubes in the wall just above the ground level, of such a 

 length as to project the air directly on the pipes. As a rule this 

 treatment alone will maintain the plants in health ; but as prevention 

 is better than cure, the atmosphere may be impregnated with the fine 

 powder of Sulfosteatite cuprique disseminated by means of common 

 bellows ; and this powder should be promptly used in the event of 

 disease appearing. 



The sudden drooping of plants, known as * sleeping,' arises from 

 exhaustion of the soil. A mulch or a soaking of water will some- 

 times partially revive these plants, but it seldom answers to retain 

 them. Deficiency in the soil of nitrogen and potash is the secret, and 

 the remedy is entirely in the grower's hands. 



For the open ground it is important to choose a variety that ripens 

 early. The plants should be vigorous, and they must be carefully 

 hardened before they are put out. The end of May is usually the 

 right time, but Tomatoes will not endure a keen east wind or nipping 



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