63 FORCING DWARF TOMATOES UNDER GLASS 



fifths inch wide pieces. One end of these strips is stuck in the 

 ground at the base of the plant and the upper end is fastened 

 to wires run along parallel with, and directly over, the rows of 

 tomatoes at the proper height, which in this case was about 

 seven feet. The advantage of the string over a pole or strip 

 in training pole beans, etc., is less shade; but with tomatoes 

 we find a more substantial support is quite necessary. 



The trainins: of the dwarfs to one stem is easilv accom- 

 plished. All side shoots are pinched oft' as soon as they ap- 

 pear, and the top or leading shoot only allowed to grow, thus 

 overcoming the dwarfing tendency to some extent. If this 

 practice is adhered to the plants will continue to grow 

 to a great height. We had no trouble in running them to the 

 height of our houses averaging seven feet or over. These 

 dwarf tomatoes trained in this manner proved to be the most 

 interesting feature of the greenhouse crops during the past sea- 

 son. Not only the amateur gardener but experienced green- 

 house men found it hard to believe that the tall plants before 

 them were really dwarf varieties. Several tried to account 

 for the freak through a mistake in the seed used, etc., but 

 upon showing them the different varieties and explaining the 

 method of training they were easily convinced. 



It is necessary to do considerable pruning with the dwarf 

 tomatoes. They naturally produce a very dense foliage and 

 in order to let in the light we cut away many of the outer and 

 older leaves and cut back others. As the fruit ripens and the 

 plants get older there is a tendency for some of the first leaves 

 to begin to turn yellow in which case they are picked oft\ 



There is a strong tendency among the dwarfs to send out a 

 new branch from the end of the fruit cluster usually after the 

 fruit has set. This shoot should be cut oft' as soon as started ; 

 otherwise it acts the same as a branch, and, too, the strength 

 is needed for the fruit. 



It so happened that through an accident or mistake the top 

 or leading shoot of two of the vines was nipped out and it was 

 interesting to note that these vines simply remained dormant 

 in size but apparently healthy throughout the experiment. The 

 leaves took on a deep green, glossy color, but tlie plants 

 started no adventitious buds for either fruit or branches. 



