221 FRUITS AND \EGETABLIiS UNDER GLASS 



firm, solid fiiowth, and while this may be induced by the proper food, proper 

 temperature and \entilation are also of assistance in bringing about the desired 

 results. ihe one is just as important as the other. 



Tomatoes may be classed as a warm-blooded \egetable and need a certain 

 amount of heat to keep them growing in a thrifty condition, but, like all other 

 plants, they want an abundance of fresh air. If kept in a close, humid atmos- 

 phere, the most liberal feeding will not prevent them from producing long-jointed, 

 soft growth, and the same will happen if they are kept too warm both day and 

 night. While a temperature of 65° by night and correspondingly higher by day 

 will induce a much quicker growth, the crop will fall short in weight, size, solidity 

 and color. High temperatures, furthermore, are favorable to mildew and many 

 other diseases that attack the Tomato vine. A steady Winter temperature 

 of 60° by night and -0° or 75° with sun by day, with a fair portion of air on, 

 is sufTicient; nothing is gained by having it higher. As the temperature ad- 

 vances in the morning, or when the thermometer registers 6s°, admit a crack 

 of air, and increase steadily as the mercury goes up. It is a serious mistake 

 to wait until the house gets overheated and then open the vents all at once. No 

 good results can be expected with such treatment. The temperature and airing 

 require thought and good judgment. In the Fall, when the nights are getting 

 a bit cold, it is much better to send a little heat through the pipes and leave a 

 crack of air on. Closing down tight all the time without some fire heat, 

 would cause the humidity in the house to condense and fall on the foliage, in- 

 ducing mildew and other diseases; and if this trouble once makes headway, 

 it is difficult to eradicate. Careful adjustment of the ventilators, with a steady 

 temperature and a fairly dry, bracing atmosphere, will be found the best means 

 of guarding against the diseases that the Tomato under glass is subject to. 



SETTING THE FRUIT 



In order to secure a good set of fruit, it is necessar\ to pollinate the blos- 

 soms; tills is a simple operation, but it must be attended to faithfully. Im- 

 perfectly set fruit will not develop satisfactorily; it will be either deformed, or 

 will refuse absolutel\ to swell. When the blossoms are ready for pollinating, 

 in a dry, bracing atmosphere, merely a gentle tap should dislodge the pollen. 

 There are different methods in use. I prefer to tap the vine lightly with one 

 hand, catching the pollen on my finger, and then bringing the pistil gently in 

 touch with it; in this way all the blossoms can be gone over rapidly. The main 

 point is, to have the pollen dry, so that it will distribute itself freely. About 

 noon on a bright day is the time most suitable for the operation. Blossoms 

 treated then will swell away more rapidly. Toward Spring, when the days 

 lengthen and the sun becomes more powerful, these precautions are not so neces- 

 sary, and a light tapping of the vines is sufficient. Here, again, there is a decided 

 advantage in having a firm, stocky growth, for such vines will produce a plentiful 

 supply of pollen, and there will be no difficulty in obtaining a heavy set of fruit; 

 whereas if the blossoms are weak, on soft, long-jointed vines, there will be very 

 little pollen to work with. Such conditions are most discouraging. 



