GARDEN CULTURE OF TOMATOES 



289 



Culture. Tomatoes are readily grown from seed and the best 

 plants are those produced with moderate heat. They need protec- 

 tion from cold rather than forcing heat, as our day temperatures 

 from February onward are almost always adequate. For earlier 

 starting of plants some bottom heat is desirable and can be profit- 

 ably used if care is taken for free admission of air and subsequent 

 hardening of the plants by later growth under protection but at 

 lower temperatures. The considerations urged in the chapter on 

 propagation for the handling of seeds and seedlings have special 



Beds for Growing Tomato Plants in Imperial Valley. 



applicability to the growth of tomato plants. For the home garden 

 there is perhaps no better way of growing plants than that of Ira 

 W. Adams, as follows : 



Plant the seed about the middle of February in a small box two inches 

 in depth and keep in the house by a south window in a moderately warm 

 room. On warm, sunny days, put them outdoors, and let them remain out 

 day and night whenever the weather is warm enough; in this way they will 

 make stocky plants and be much hardier than if raised altogether in the 

 house. The soil should be rich and mellow, and always kept a little moist. 

 When the plants appear, thin out to an inch apart. As soon as the plants 

 begin to crowd each other, transplant to another box, about four inches in 

 depth and give them a space of four inches. By the time they crowd each 

 other again they can be transplanted outdoors on the south side of the house 

 or barn into a good-sized bed of rich soil. Here they can remain until they 



