1 66 AROUND THE YEAR IN THE GARDEN 



the hills. An hour's work with this combination before 

 the weeds start, and once a week thereafter, will take care 

 of a surprisingly large number of hills. If, however, the 

 weeds are allowed to establish themselves, as they do very 

 quickly at this time of the year, the rake teeth will not 

 destroy them and the hand hoe must be used. 



Supports for Tomatoes 



When only a dozen or two plants are grown, staking and 

 pruning of tomatoes are always advisable. Plants thus 

 cared for occupy less room, produce earlier and more first- 

 quality table fruit, even if not a greater total amount, the 

 fruit ripens earlier, and is much less subject to the attacks 

 of rot or other disease. 



Drive in stakes five or six feet long soon after the plants 

 are set out and tie the vines before they have made growth 

 enough to lop over. Some gardeners prefer pruning to 

 single stems, but usually more and practically as good and 

 as early fruit can be had by allowing one or two of the 

 suckers or side shoots on the plants to grow. 



When the plants are set out in one or two long rows a 

 convenient and easy method of supporting them is to put in 

 a few stout stakes, and stretch two pieces of wire on these, 

 one six inches or so above the ground and another four feet 

 above the first. 



Twine is strung between the wires, and upon this the 

 vines are trained. Barrel hoops, supported by two or three 

 stakes, also make a good support, particularly if the vines 

 are not to be carefully pruned. 



Look out for the large horn or tomato worm, which if 

 left unmolested will do a great deal of harm in a few days. 

 He is a chewer and arsenate of lead will get him, but the 

 quickest and best way is hand picking. Keep the plants 

 well supported and thinned, removing surplus foliage to 

 admit sunshine and air, thinning fruits that touch, and 

 spraying with Bordeaux; this will prevent rotting. 



For a supply of tomatoes for canning and preserving and 



