6 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 419 



The other variety of tomato developed at this Station is Trellis No. 22, a 

 cross between Waltham Forcing and Llojd Forcing. It is a few days later in 

 maturing than Waltham Forcing and on the Field Station plots does not yield 

 as heavily; but the fruit is larger and it makes a little nicer pack for market. 

 Figure No. 1 illustrates the type of growth and set of fruit produced by the 

 Trellis No. 22. 



The behavior of these two varieties is not consistent throughout eastern 

 Massachusetts. In one section the Waltham Forcing is always larger and su- 

 perior to the Trellis No. 22, which is just the reverse of the experience of most 

 growers. When grown on trellis, the Waltham Forcing, Trellis No. 22, and other 

 strains and selections of Comet averaged 4.5 fruits per pound for the season, 

 Michigan State Forcing 3.6, Stokesdale 3.2, Bonny Best 3, Rutgers 2.8, and Mar- 

 globe 2.7. The total yields in a good growing year do not differ greatly, but the 

 smaller varieties always produce a larger percentage of No. 1 fruits. 



Selection of the proper variety is important for success with trellis tomatoes, 

 and this selection cannot be made without considering the soil, fertilizing pro- 

 gram, irrigation, market, and climate. A trial on the grower's own farm of several 

 varieties that seem to fit the market needs is the only real solution to the prob- 

 lem. Varieties suggested for trial, in the order of their probable value on most 

 of the Massachusetts farms are: Trellis No. 22, Waltham Forcing, Comet, 

 Stokesdale, Michigan State Forcing, Bonny Best, and Marglobe. 



The value of good seed cannot be overemphasized; and regardless of the variety 

 selected it is important to obtain a uniform strain from a reliable source. 



Plant Production 



One of the most important factors in the successful production of tomatoes, 

 whether grown on trellis or untrained, is to have good plants. There is no one 

 best method of growing plants. The plant-growing facilities on each farm differ 

 so that the problem is an individual one. It is probable that only after some 

 experience will satisfactory plants be produced. 



Every market gardener should have a small greenhouse or plant house in 

 which to start seed and make the first transplantings. It need not be as large 

 as the one shown in Figure 2. The advantages of such a structure over the man- 

 ure-heated hotbed are many: better plants because of less disease, a chance to 

 control the heat, easier ventilation, and a convenient place to work. 



As soft, succulent growth does not stand hot drying winds during transplant- 

 ing, plants should be adequately hardened. Proper timing in order to have the 

 plants at the correct stage to set in the field at the right time depends to a large 

 extent upon the weather. It should alwa\s be kept in mind that the weather 

 may not be favorable just when it is planned to set the plants, and they may be- 

 come overgrown. It is always better to set a small plant than one 2 feet tall. 

 A good plant is 10 to 15 inches tall, stocky, with a large well-branched root system 

 that will not break off when moved. 



Every grower who contemplates changing from flat culture to trellis should 

 remember that the number of plants required per acre more than doubles. More 

 information about this is given under Spacing and Training Plants, page 15. 



The time of year to start the seed is a much discussed question and each grower 

 must decide according to his own conditions. Seed is planted from January 15 

 to April 10. The warmer the growing conditions, the later the plants may be 



