GARDEXIXG FOR PROFIT 29 



of the furrows where they crossed. The hills were 

 about ei.q-ht inches deep and fourteen inches wide. 

 Each hill received a manure fork full of well-rotted 

 horse manure. This was covered with soil, not mixed 

 with it, to the depth of six inches. 



Our plants were ready to set June 2; after thor- 

 oui^hly watering- them so the soil would stick to the 

 roots, took them up carefully, about fifty at a time, 

 placed them in our two-wheel garden cart and drew 

 them to the prepared hills. Placed a plant on each 

 hill. One man took a garden hoe with extra large 

 blade and the other man picked up the plant. The 

 hoe was driven into the hill by striking with edge of 

 the blade deep enough to strike the manure. The soil 

 was held up with the hoe while the plant was placed, 

 top facing east, with roots under the soil and into the 

 hill so that the soil held up by hoe when released 

 would cover roots and stalk of plant about eight inches. 

 The soil held up by hoe was then released and firmed 

 by pressing down with the foot on soil directly over 

 the roots of plant. , This left plant when set lying 

 down. We set all tomato plants this way. Never 

 set them upright, as the wind is apt to break them off. 

 Although the plant is set flat down, in five or six days 

 it will turn and stand up straij^ht, but this g^ives the 

 plant time to toughen up, and any ordinary wind will 

 not break it. By covering- stalk of plant in the hill it 

 will send out roots, make a strong^er, better plant and 

 produce more fruit. 



Experience and practice in former times has 

 taught us that tomato vines will produce more fruit 

 and ripen earlier if broken down. We break them 

 down as follows : Stand close to the plant, stoop half 

 over, bring hands together in front of you with arms 

 at full length in form of a letter V or wedge, with 

 hands still together, push through the center of the 



