VEGETABLES 97 



both increased by division of the tufted shoots, and 

 the rooted bits planted out singly in March or 

 April ; layered shoots also strike readily. 



TOMATO 



Tomatoes can be raised from seed in any 

 ordinary hotbed or shelf in a greenhouse. The 

 hotbed should be about three feet high at back 

 and two and a half feet at front, and the seeds 

 should be sown broadcast. They come very 

 strongly treated in that way. As soon as the 

 plants come up, whenever the weather is mild 

 they may be sown in pots and the plants pricked 

 off when large enough. After potting off warm 

 covering will be necessary at night. The chief 

 requirements are some good rich soil composed of 

 loam, leaf mould, and manure, two parts of the 

 former and one of the latter. Plant from twelve to 

 eighteen inches apart ; air should be freely given in 

 all stages. When the plants are well set with fruit, 

 liquid manure should be given two or three times a 

 week. 



For planting tomatoes in the open, seeds should 

 be sown not later than March and placed in a 

 greenhouse or frame, and when the plants are up 

 and thinned, and the time for planting arrives, they 

 can be planted out not later than June against a 

 sunny wall. The plants ought to be turned out with 

 the ball entire, only just loosening a few of the 

 roots to enable them to get hold of the new ground 

 quickly. 



When the plants are making strong growth, 

 and if they stand at all closely together, it is well 



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