STAKING, TRAINING AND PRUNING 87 



three stout hoops supported by three stakes so as to 

 surround the plant which is allowed to grow through 

 and fall over them, or two or more parallel strips sup- 

 ported about a foot from the ground on each side of 

 a row of plants answer the purpose, which is simply 



FIG. 27 TOMATOES IN GREENHOUSE AT OHIO EXPERIMENT STATION 

 (Photo by courtesy of C. W. Waid) 



to keep the plant up from the ground and facilitate 

 the free circulation of the air among leaves and fruit. 

 I have seen tomatoes grown very successfully by 

 the side of an open fence. Two stakes were driven 

 into the ground about 6 inches from the fence and 

 the plant, but slanting outward and away from each 

 other. The tops of the stakes were fastened to the 

 fence by wooden braces, and then heavy strings fas- 

 tened to the fence around the stakes and back to the 



