VEGETABLE GROWING 



383 



into them firmly, then the plants from the 5-inch pots set into the centres, and keep the 

 stems still somewhat down. Then the pots should be placed close together in a row where 

 the plants are to be grown, the stems then being about 12 inches apart. Generally it is 

 best to raise the pots on a stout shelf or plank to within 20 inches of the roof, if to be so 

 trained, then tying the stems loosely but securely as they grow to wires, fixed some 10 

 inches from the roof. As growth ensues all side shoots which break out from the 

 base of every leaf must be hard pinched off. Flower trusses break out from the main 

 stem, and so long as the plants are kept watered and have occasional soakings of liquid 

 manure, after fruits are well set, and also warmth is kept up, the plants will go on fruiting 

 if kept for that purpose until nearly the end of November. Where pots are not to be had 

 boxes 20 inches long and 9 inches wide and deep will carry two plants very well. In the 

 case of market growers, Tomatoes are generally planted out on the house floors, and 

 trained up erect ; but that is not a method to advise for beginners or those who have 

 but small houses, as for them nothing excels pot or box culture. Where a house or frame 

 is not provided with fixed wires it is easy to fix strips of wood, or thin stakes, or bamboo 



TOMATOES ON A WARM NORTH BORDER IN THE OPEN 



Planted in rows 3 feet apart, 18 inches apart in the rows. Side shoots have been 

 pinched out. Stakes 4 feet long. 



rods in a slanting direction, and running just under the glass roof. The plants always fruit 

 more freely when trained in this way than when trained upright. Besides keeping the side 

 shoots pinched off, it is only needful to secure the stems (not too tightly), as they will 

 swell later, to the supports with raffia, grass, or some other soft material, and pinch out the 

 points or leaders of the plants when they reach the full length of their supports. 



Setting the Flowers. Very often amateur growers find it difficult to induce the flowers 

 to set fruit at the first. Sometimes giving the stems of the bunches a gentle tapping two 

 or three times a day helps to that end. Other growers hold a piece of white paper under 

 the flowers, on to which by a vigorous shaking some of the pollen will fall, then take it 

 up on a camel's-hair brush and touch the points of the pistils or the little points which 

 project from out of the centre of the flowers. Tomatoes in houses or frames like plenty 

 of light and air, which is better rather dry than wet. There is no need to use the syringe, 

 and in watering it is not well to leave puddles or slops about, as such over-damping 

 does harm. Even in watering it is better to keep the soil a little too dry than too wet. 

 Too liberal waterings, especially when the fruits are ripening, greatly tend to cracking 

 of the skins, and that is an evil, as mildew soon settles in the cracks and injures the fruits. 



Outdoor Culture. Plants should not be put into any position outdoors earlier than 



