\ EGE1 usu. ( ROPS. 



<;d; 



Avoidance of Frost. 



The tomatoes should not be planted out in the held until all reasonable 

 danger of severe frosts is passed. Consequently, an "early" district has 

 tdvantage over a "late" one. Richmond is not an early district by any 

 means, as the belt of country in which the College is situated is far more 

 subject to frost than, for example, the lower part of the Ilawkesbury Valley. 

 Seed is sown about the middle of July, in seed-boxes covered with glass 

 and placed in a hot-bed, where the growth of the young plants is forced, and 

 'where they can be covered from frosts at night. 



Early Tomatoes at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, showing the Trellising Method. 



Varieties. 



The variety always used for early fruit at the College is Spark's Earliana. 

 This is a very good tomato, fairly smooth and round, and admirably adapted 

 :for trellising and pruning. In a number of comparative trials at the 

 'College it has always come out best for early fruit. 



Burwood Prize, a tomato largely grown, is not suitable for this purpose. 

 Its growth is very sturdy, and it is not adapted for trellising; and, more- 

 over, it is not nearly as prolific at Earliana. 



Dwarf Champion is a good bearing variety, and does not require staking-. 

 It is used at the College for mid-season sowing for main crops. As tomatoes 

 are cheap in season no attempt is made to trellis or prune this variety^ 



For late fruit, in a district suitable for such crops. Spark's Earliana could 

 be used apain. Two ounces of seed will l>e found sufficient to plant half 

 an acre of Spark's Earliana on the College system. 



