206 



VEGETABLE GARDENING. 



under ground. They need thorough cultivation, which can be 

 best given by a horse cultivator. 



Pruning and Training. Tomato plants under field cultivation 

 are generally allowed to run over the ground in any direction 

 and are not trained: but even under this method of manage- 

 ment it is a good plan to cut off a foot or more of the ends of 

 all growing shoots about the middle of August, so that all the 

 strength of the plant may go to ripen the fruit that is well 

 formed and still green. Some growers advise pruning off all 



but one main stem and 

 two or three laterals 

 and training to a stake 

 and then pinching off 

 all flower clusters after 

 a~^few have /set a fruit. 

 The result of this prac- 

 tice here is still some- 

 what doubtful. It is a 

 good plan in a small 

 garden to cover the 

 land under the vines af- 

 ter they set fruit with a 

 little hay, so that the 

 fruit may be kept from 

 getting dirty in case 

 they are not trained. 

 This covering should 

 not be heavy enough to 

 keep the ground from 

 getting plenty of sun- 

 light. 



Tomatoes in very Severe Locations. When there is danger of 

 frost in August, a sufficient supply of tomatoes for family 

 use may be grown on the south side of a house, wall or other 

 protection, especially if the plants are covered on cold nights. 

 Where this seems to be impracticable, a most excellent way is 

 to grow a few plants in barrels placed in warm corners about 

 the buildings. To do this, at planting time select a barrel as 

 large as a coal oil barrel, bore three or four holes in the 

 bottom, sink the barrel about one-third its depth in the 



®Mm^% 







Fig.113.— Tomato plant growing in a barrel and 

 trained against side of building. 



