288 CALIFORNIA VEGETABLES 



of the high mountain range, which should be earlier than either 

 the southern coast or the northern interior. Still, in the all-the-year 

 demand for the tomato, it is necessary to bring some fruit from 

 Mexico and from the forcing houses of the southern states, and it 

 is probable that more forcing of tomatoes will be undertaken in this 

 state in the future. No vegetable has advanced $o rapidly in public 

 esteem during the last decade as the tomato. 



Requirements of the Tomato. For early tomatoes which can 

 attain their chief growth before the close of the rainy season, some- 

 what elevated situations, above the lowland frosts, and with light, 

 warm soils and free drainage, should be selected. Sometimes frosts 

 will occasion replanting, for which a stock of thrifty plants should 

 always be in readiness. It is idle to attempt the growth of early 

 tomatoes on a commercial scale except on situations naturally fitted 

 for them. In the family garden slight covering from frost can be 

 successfully undertaken. 



For the main crop of tomatoes, rich, lower lands, either 

 naturally retentive of moisture or supplied therewith by irrigation, 

 are usually employed. -Even heavy valley soils are profitably used 

 by thorough preparation before planting and cultivation afterward. 

 Late planting can be practiced and immense yields are secured for 

 harvesting in September and October, when the fruit is of superior 

 solidity and the canneries are clear of their summer fruit work 

 and can turn their full capacity to this most popular canned vege- 

 table. In some parts of the state, November and December toma- 

 toes are very profitable when autumn frosts and rains are light, j 



The moisture requirements of the tomato are moderate, but 

 they must be adequately met. Stunted vines and small, inferior 

 fruit are the results of drought. High heat can be endured and 

 favors growth, provided ample moisture is available. The more 

 moderate heat of the coast regions and the interior river bottoms 

 is, however, adequate for full development of the plant, and it is 

 attained with much less moisture than on the higher lands of the 

 interior. For this reason splendid crops are secured without irri- 

 gation on retentive soils in valleys of sufficient rainfall, even if the 

 plants are not set until the opening of the dry season provided 

 suitable winter and spring working is given to prevent evaporation 

 and to hold moisture near the surface. On lands moistened by 

 underflow splendid tomatoes can be grown without irrigation all 

 through the local frost-free period. 



