240 THE HOME ACRE. 



blossoms and immature fruit. Indeed, plants started 

 early in the fall will give in a greenhouse a good 

 supply all winter. Tomatoes also grow readily in 

 hot-beds, cold-frames, or sunny windows. We can 

 usually buy well-forwarded plants from those who 

 raise them for sale. If these are set out early in 

 May on a sunny slope, they mature rapidly, and 

 give an early yield. The tomato is very sensitive 

 to frost, and should not be in the open ground be- 

 fore danger from it is over. Throughout May we 

 may find plants for sale everywhere. If we desire 

 to try distinct kinds with the least trouble, we can 

 sow the seed about May I, and in our climate en- 

 joy an abundant yield in September, or before. In 

 the cool, humid climate of England the tomato is 

 usually grown en espalier, like the peach, along 

 sunny walls and fences, receiving as careful a sum- 

 mer pruning as the grape-vine. With us it is 

 usually left to sprawl over the ground at will. By 

 training the vines over various kinds of supports, 

 however, they may be made as ornamental as they 

 are useful. The ground on which they grow should 

 be only moderately fertile, or else there is too great 

 a growth of vine at the expense of fruit. This is 

 especially true if we desire an early yield, and in 

 this case the warmest, driest soil is necessary. 



But comparatively a few years ago the tomato 

 consisted of little more than a rind, with seeds in 



