5 



W. Stuart* obtained an increased yield by the use of chemical 

 fertilizers on greenhouse tomatoes grown in a soil more or less 

 deficient in plant food. The largest yield was obtained from the use 

 of a fertilizer containing acid phosphate, nitrate of soda and muriate 

 of potash, although nitrate of soda and acid phosphate alone proved 

 nearly as efficacious. 



Undoubtedly in some cases a limited amount of nitrate of soda or 

 a complete fertilizer can be applied to crops of greenhouse tomatoes 

 advantageously as an aid in starting them. Where the soil, 

 however, is of the nature of a well manured compost containing a 

 large amount of organic matter, clue to the repeated applications of a 

 liberal supply of horse manure, commercial fertilizers are not absolutely 

 necessary, inasmuch as the soil in such cases contains practically all 

 of the elements necessary for the plants' development. 



SOLID BKDS AND 15ENCHES VERSUS POT CULTURE. 



Various methods of cultivating tomatoes have been in vogue. 

 Many practical growers and experimenters have made use of pots and 

 boxes in growing greenhouse tomatoes, while others have used shallow 

 benches or solid beds. 



A. T. Jordan' found that benches gave better returns than boxes 

 holding 2^^j cu. ft. of soil, or lo inch pots, and according to W. J. 

 Green and C. W. Waid" raised benches are superior to solid beds in 

 the early ripening of fruit. On the other hand, L. H. Bailey'' states 

 that 1 8 inch boxes, containing a foot of soil and placed one foot 

 apart, with four plants in each box, afford one of the neatest and best 

 means of growing tomatoes in the greenhouse. Some practical grow- 

 ers in this state have used 12 inch pots for growing their crops, and 

 the results which they have obtained have induced them to recom- 

 mend this method of cultivation. Our experience in growing tomatoes 

 in 10 inch pots, covering a period of some years, has not led us to 

 regard this method of culture very highly. 



To obtain robust plants of good color and texture capable of pro- 

 ducing a large yield, we prefer solid beds or raised benches to pots or 

 small boxes. Our experience has been that Lorillard tomatoes grown 

 in 10 or 12 inch pots at any season of the year are likely to be poorly 



*. Ind. Agr. Exp. Sta. Rpt. 14. 



I X. J. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. No. 141, iSgg. 



2. Ohio Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. No. 153. 



3. N. V. (Cornell Univ.) Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 2S. 1S91 



