202 A HOME VEGETABLE-GARDEN 



be necessary to provide some sort of shade for a 

 few days, in the hottest part. After the roots get 

 a grip on the soil and begin to make use of the 

 supplies of food and moisture, the plants should 

 make steady healthy growth. 



If the growing tomatoes remain healthy, the 

 further care during the season will be simple. 

 Eegular tillage is of course necessary. Plenty of 

 water must be supplied if the season is hot and 

 the ground becomes dry. For the best results, 

 the plants will need support and pruning. In 

 large fields, tomato vines are usually left un- 

 pruned and prone upon the ground; but unsup- 

 ported plants are sure to lose quite a good deal of 

 the harvest, through poor development and be- 

 cause of rot. While this method may be followed, 

 on account of the great expense of extra labor in- 

 volved, where great quantities are grown, the 

 home gardener will spare no pains or labor that 

 may contribute towards a prize harvest. Some- 

 times racks are used; and the plants are pruned 

 only slightly. 



We have decided to stake our tomatoes and 

 prune them to a single main stem, or tie the one 

 stem to a wire screen (Plate VIII). Staking 

 and pruning may lessen the size of the crop; 

 but it will improve the appearance of the tomato 

 strip; the plants are healthier and more easily 

 cared for; the fruit is firmer and more uni- 

 form and of better quality; maturity is earlier 



