VEGETABLE GAEDENING 73 



that good stock finds ready sale at fancy prices. 

 There is not a great deal of difference in varie- 

 ties as regards earliness. Age, vigor, methods 

 of culture, training, soil and protection usually 

 make for earliness or lateness, though a few va- 

 rieties have been found that possess some advan- 

 tage in the way of early ripening. In our ex- 

 periments, Earliana and Early June seem best. 

 Both are of good quality and size. The Early 

 June seems to lead in size, productiveness and 

 earliness, though in the latter respect it has a 

 very small margin in its favor. For early mar- 

 ket we have found it to be a veritable "money- 

 maker." 



The methods hereinafter described are in- 

 tended for those who grow extra early tomatoes 

 in the open ground, for market, but the system 

 may be successfully practiced by the amateur on 

 limited areas. If but a few plants are wanted it 

 is always cheaper to buy them of a reliable 

 grower. In such case, be sure to order well in 

 advance so as to be certain that you will get them 

 when wanted, and always order a few more than 

 you will need. The surplus are carefully heeled 

 out and kept to replace any that die in transplant- 

 ing, or that meet with accident. For extra early, 

 the plants should be ten or twelve inches high, 

 rather stocky, well rooted, and should show some 

 blossoms before being transplanted to the open 

 ground. They should receive careful handling so 

 that the growth is not checked, for any check in 

 growth means loss in earliness. If a large quan- 

 tity of plants are wanted, it is best to grow the 

 plants at home. 



