98 GARDENING 



to shorten the lower leaves when the plants have 

 commenced fruiting, as it is desirable to let in air 

 and sunshine ; half a leaf will be better to cut away 

 than cutting away altogether. 



If dark spots appear on the tomato leaves in 

 the greenhouse, the plant will be affected with 

 the tomato disease, which are fungus growths 

 brought on from want of ventilation, or with shut- 

 ting up the house closely at night, with too much 

 moisture about. They will require freer ventila- 

 tion, and the under sides of the leaves dusted with 

 sulphur and the atmosphere kept dry, especially 

 towards evening. Cut away and burn all the 

 worst affected leaves. 



In excessively hot weather, where the tomatoes 

 are under glass, they require an immense amount 

 of water, and the difficulty is to give them enough ; 

 they should never be watered less than twice a 

 day. 



It is a good sign that the plants are healthy 

 and doing well when some of the older leaves curl 

 up. 



If the plants are very luxuriant the secondary 

 shoots should be stopped. 



Training the plants may commence as soon as 

 the branches are a foot long, and continued 

 throughout their growth. Where there is no wall or 

 palings to train them on, they may be trained with 

 stakes as espaliers. The plants should never be 

 topped whilst there is head room for them, as 

 early topping curtails their productiveness greatly. 

 If tomatoes do not colour, and it is getting too 

 late for them to do so, if they are of a usable size 

 they should be gathered and placed in a sunny 

 window, or. on the ledge of a warm house, or on 



