30 TOMATO CULTURE 



than that from lot No. 4. This is but one of the 

 scores of experiences which have led me to appre- 

 ciate, in some degree, the necessity of plenty of sun- 

 light for the best development of the tomato. 



Heat. — The plant thrives best out of doors in a 

 dry temperature of 75 to 85° F., or even up to 95° F., 

 if the air is not too dry and is in gentle circulation. 

 The rate of growth diminishes as the temperature 

 falls below 75° until at 50° there is practically no 

 growth ; the plant is simply living at a poor dying 

 rate and if the growth, particularly in young plants, 

 is checked in this way for any considerable time they 

 will never produce a full crop of fruit, even if the 

 plants reach full size and are seemingly vigorous and 

 healthy. The plant is generally killed by exposure 

 for even a short time to freezing temperature, though 

 young volunteer plants in the spring are frequently 

 so hardened by exposure that they will survive a 

 frost that crusts the ground they stand in ; but such 

 exposure affects the productiveness of the plant, even 

 if it subsequently makes a seemingly vigorous and 

 healthy growth. Under glass, plants usually do best 

 in a temperature somewhat lower than is most de- 

 sirable out of doors. I think this is due to the inevit- 

 able obstruction of the sunlight and the lack of per- 

 fect ventilation. 



Moisture. — Although the tomato is not a desert 

 plant and needs a plentiful supply of water, it suflFers 

 far more frequently, particularly when the plants are 

 young, from an over-supply than from the want of 

 water. Good drainage at the root and warm, dry, 

 sunny air, in gentle motion, are what it delights iij. 



