lOMATO. 261 



begin to crowd each other again, they can be again separated by- 

 taking up every alternate plant, and setting these out in an 

 adjoining bed. In this way the plants can be allowed all the 

 space they require, will grow strong and stocky, and be in fine 

 condition for planting in the open ground when danger of frost is 

 over, and will be more likely to be healthy and valuable, grown 

 by the inexperienced in this way, than if they attempted to use 

 sashes. In this manner something may be lost in the matter of 

 earliness in the ripening of a few Tomatoes, but a great deal is 

 saved in the matter of hot-beds and sashes. Tomato seed will 

 retain its vitality for five years. 



Those who desire to raise only a few plants for home use, can 

 start them in the house by sowing the seed in a box filled with 

 good rich soil, and keep it in a warm kitchen window. The 

 kitchen is the best room in the house for plants, because the air 

 is filled with moisture from the water that is kept almost con- 

 stantly on . the stove, in the various operations of cooking and 

 washing that are carried on there. When the plants are fairly 

 started, if they stand too thick, enough may be pulled out to 

 give the remainder sufficient room; and if these are needed, they 

 may be planted in another box of earth, kept shaded and well 

 watered for a few days, when they wUl have taken fresh root, 

 and may be set in the light. As often as the weather wiU per- 

 mit, the boxes should be set outside the window, where they will 

 get the sun and air, and be sheltered from chilly winds, not for- 

 getting to take them in if the weather should suddenly change 

 to a colder temperature, and always at night. In this way 

 strong, stocky, and healthy plants can be grown, which may be 

 set out, and sheltered with boards for a time, until the weather 

 becomes warm enough to put them in the open garden. 



We have known an enthusiastic Tomato grower save his crop 

 from an untimely June frost by placing small heaps of shavings 

 around his Tomato plantation on the north, east and west sides, 

 and when the thermometer indicated the approach of frost, he 

 would light his piles of shavings and rubbish on the windward 



