148 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



A sti-anger stated that on tomato ground made rich with 

 phosphates and other feililizers, the fruit cracked badly. 



Professor Munson had conducted some experiments with this 

 point in view, but had obsei'ved no ill effects from heavy fertiliz- 

 ing. Fruits from heavily manured plats were uniformly larger 

 and smoother than from plats less heavily fertilized. It is ques- 

 tionable, however, whether excessive manuring will be found 

 profitable in commercial plantations, as the increase in yield is not 

 sufficient to pay the increased cost of production. In some work 

 carried on at the Cornell University a plat 30x60 feet was given 

 nearly three tons of rich compost; while an adjacent plat, under 

 ordinary commercial treatment was given less than one-fourth as 

 much. The average yield per plant in the former case was but 

 three ounces greater than in the latter. 



A stranger said that some tomato plants set out early grew well 

 and attained good size before blooming. But soon after the 

 flowers opened they fell off. He wished to learn why they did not 

 set fruit instead. 



Professor Munsou replied that not knowing the other conditions 

 he could not explain the result. 



The questioner stated his belief that tomato plants could not 

 develop perfect flowers except when in a warm atmosphere. 



Professor Munson said that oftentimes plants which have 

 formed fruit in the house, fail to set any after being planted out. 

 We may accept the almost universal principle, that checking 

 plant-growth induces fruitfulness. 



Another gentleman inquired whether allowing a plant to become 

 pot-bound would promote fruitfulness. 



, Professor Munson said that if other conditions were favorable 

 it would. But there is a limit to the power of good influences to 

 secure fruitfulness ; for if the other conditions are unfavorable 

 the crop of fruit may fail. 



Professor Munson, in reply to a question, said he thought one 

 element of success in growing forced tomato plants in boxes is 

 that the roots are thereby somewhat confined. 



