10 MASS. EXPERIMENT STATION BULLETIN 419 



While the initial investment in clay pots is considerable, they will last for many 

 years if properly cared for. One-quart strawberry baskets are a very good substi- 

 tute for clay pots. They are not expensive and will produce almost as good a 

 plant. However, these cannot be used again, so in the end it is cheaper to pur- 

 chase the pots. There are man\- kinds of plant bands made either of wood or of 

 treated paper which have proved very satisfactory. 



Experimental evidence has shown that over-hardening the plants delays 

 growth in the field and reduces the early yield. Some hardening is necessary, but 

 the plants should be kept growing all the time to insure early growth in the field. 



"Give the plant a good start" is not only a good slogan but a necessity for the 

 market gardener who plans to make money growing early tomatoes. 



Soil Preparation 



For a crop such as trellis tomatoes, in which a considerable sum of money is 

 invested, it is necessary to have the soil in the best possible condition. Many 

 failures can be attributed directly to lack of fertilization and proper soil prepara- 

 tion. 



It is important that this crop have a uniform supply of moisture and plant 

 food throughout the season. Soils well supplied with organic matter, such as 

 some of the older intensively cultivated areas around Boston, hold a good supply 

 of both water and plant food. 



Consider the soil available for growing tomatoes and determine its value as to 

 water-holding capacity, texture, depth, organic matter, and residual plant food 

 before deciding whether to trellis the crop. Certain of the lighter-textured soils 

 can be used for trellis tomatoes if ample irrigation is available. 



Many of the better growers have successfully followed the plan of turning 

 under sod for their tomato crop. If this practice is followed, it must be good sod 

 and on land that has previously been well fertilized. 



Formerly, most growers used rather generous amounts of manure for tomatoes 

 but as manure became scarce the question of its value for the production of a 

 good tomato crop became increasingly important. 



In the Waltham and Amherst experiments, most of the crop was given a coating 

 of cow manure at the rate of 10 to 12 cords per acre. Certain plots received no 

 manure while others received a double amount, with the heaviest treatment 20 

 to 25 cords per acre. The experimental plots were moved to a new area on the 

 Station grounds each year so that there could be no cumulative effect. All 

 plots received 1 ton of 5-8-7 fertilizer per acre broadcast. The >'ields on the three 

 levels of manure are presented in Table 2. 



Table 2. Effect of Manure on the Yield of Trellis 1'omatoes. 



Yield per Acre, Pounds 



— _ Percent of 



Manure per Acre Waltham Amherst Combined Crop No. 1 



. ' ■ Fruits at 



Early Total Early Total Early Total Waltham 



None 11,070 38,712 5,400 39,216 8,235 38,964 44.3 



12 Cords 11,796 41,845 4,224 45,618 8,010 43,731 58.9 



24 Cords 12,564 44,011 3,846 44,466 8,205 44,238 59.6 



