half the distance from leaves to root. The hole 

 can be filled up later when the plant is larger 

 and you are working the soil loose around the 

 plant. This method of planting gives the root 

 a deep setting and less moisture is required. 

 Do not water the plant unless the weather is 

 very warm and no rain has fallen. If you con- 

 tinue to water the vine you will have a large 

 rank growth and small fruit. If the weather 

 is hot protect the young vines with a shingle 

 placed in the ground to the south, to protect 

 from the rays of the sun. Or cover with an 

 open end tin can for a few days. The can is 

 better as it protects the plant from the cut 

 worm. This worm works at night. See chap- 

 ter on Pests. 



Do not plant all your stock, reserve about 

 a third as many as you have planted for re- 

 planting those that die or are destroyed. When 

 the plants are eight inches high pinch off 

 the top of the vine. This will make the plant 

 short and stocky and throw more strength into 

 vine and fruit buds just forming. You can tie 

 them up to a stake or a trellis, but the vines 

 will bend down and break from their own 

 weight. It is just as well to let them spread 

 out over the ground and when the fruit rip- 

 ens place the fruit on top of the vine to keep 

 it off the ground. Pick the tomatoes as they 

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