Vegetable Growing for Market 169 



as are necessary for any particular crop, the boxes should be well watered 

 with a fine-rosed can, and then placed on shelves near the glass. If sowing 

 takes place in January and February or March, the night temperature 

 should not be allowed to fall below 60 F. at night, with a rise to 65 

 or 70 during the day. If the soil is kept moderately moist, the seeds 

 soon germinate under these conditions, and by keeping them as close 

 to the glass as possible the young plants remain short and sturdy. The 

 less light they get, and the farther away from the glass, the weaker and 

 more drawn they become, and never make such fine plants. Of course, 

 seeds of Tomatoes may be sown in pots or pans of various sizes according 

 to taste or convenience, but other conditions should be the same as described 

 above. By sowing thinly, as described, the young plants need not be moved 

 from the seed boxes or pots until about 3 or 4 in. in height, because they 

 will have plenty of space to develop until then. If the grower has been 

 foolish enough to sow thickly, he will either have to thin out soon after the 

 first true leaves have developed, or he must move the seedlings earlier into 

 small pots; otherwise he runs the risk of spoiling and weakening a large 

 number of plants (fig. 494). 



Potting 1 . The young plants, being strong and sturdy, and growing 

 steadily, will soon require more room than is available in the seed pans. 

 Pots 3 in. across (or large 60's) may be used, and if a piece of rough 

 fibrous loam is placed in the bottom, over a piece or two of crock, proper 

 drainage will be secured. The soil should consist of sandy loam and leaf 

 soil, or old soil shaken from the stools or roots of Chrysanthemums, Zonal 

 Pelargoniums, &c., may be used if it has been exposed to the weather a few 

 weeks or months beforehand. Early in the year it is better and safer to 

 pot up the young Tomatoes in the house where they have been raised. 

 A movable potting bench may be fixed up in a convenient spot, and the 

 soil to be used should be warmed by placing a few hot bricks in it for 

 a time if it is to be used at once. Cold or half-frozen soil from outside 

 should never be used for potting Tomatoes or any other plants raised in 

 warmth. The temperature of the soil, therefore, should be as near that 

 of the greenhouse as possible, to prevent the tender young plants getting 

 a serious check. 



When potting young Tomatoes the soil should be pressed about the 

 roots moderately firm with the fingers. Each plant should be placed in 

 the centre of the pot (although some growers prefer placing them at one 

 side), and the stem may be sunk down to the seed leaves, or within ^ in. 

 of the first true leaf if the seed leaves have withered. After potting, the 

 soil should be given a good watering with a fine-rosed pot. The plants 

 should then be placed on shelves near the glass or on stages where they 

 will receive plenty of light. For the first two or three days after potting 

 it may be necessary to shade the freshly potted plants from strong sun- 

 light. This may be done by spreading sheets of newspaper over them, 

 or by letting down blinds outside, if any. Once, however, the plants have 

 "picked up", that is, have established themselves, they need plenty of sun- 



