GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



the middle of May, and even then should have some protection from rough winds 

 and night frosts until the end of the month. When planted against a warm, sunny 

 wall or fence it is easy to furnish the desired protection by hanging sacks, mats, or some 

 other material over them at night. When plants are put on to a border, or in the open 

 garden, the last few days of the month of May are soon enough. If planted against a 

 wall or fence, the ordinary garden soil is sufficiently good as a rule, but if poor a little well- 

 decayed manure may be first dug in, the soil being made fairly firm. Then the plants 

 turned out of their pots may be planted 12 inches apart close to the wall. If they be 

 rather tall it is well to secure them by putting a cloth shred round each stem, which can 

 be secured to the wall with a nail. But plants properly grown should not be tall or 

 drawn, but be stout, sturdy, and well leaved. Of course, nailing becomes essential as 

 the plants grow in height. In the case of those put into the open ground the rows 

 should be a| feet apart, and the plants 15 inches apart in the rows. It is a very good plan 

 to drive in a stout stake that will stand 3^ feet out of the ground, just where each plant is 

 to be put. Thus a proper support is ready when needed. It is not desirable to allow 

 open-air Tomatoes to grow higher than some 3^ feet, as beyond that height fruits will not 

 ripen. Keep the side shoots of outdoor Tomatoes pinched as in the case of those under 



TOMATO PLANT IN FULL FRUIT. 



In a lo-inch pot, and close under greenhouse roof 

 Stem should be 10 inches irom the glass. 



glass. In very hot dry weather water occasionally, and place about over the soil a good 

 mulch of long manure, as that serves to retain moisture and checks drying. 



Varieties of Tomatoes. There is an endless number of varieties. There are smooth 

 round and egg-shaped, both red and yellow. There are large and quite small fruited, 

 as well as some of medium size. Some carry great clusters, some are nice to eat raw 

 as table fruits, some to eat as salad, and some when cooked. The most popular ones 

 are those which produce good-sized, round, handsome red fruits, and in great profusion. 

 Good ones of this type are : Perfection, Comet, Delegate, and Duke of York. Good 

 egg or plum-shaped fruits are : Ai, Regina, Challenger, and Peerless. There are some 

 of a reddish, terra-cotta colour, but these are not in favour. The best yellow varieties bear- 

 ing good showy fruits are : Golden Queen, Blenheim Orange, and Sunbeam. The best 

 small-fruited or dessert yellow is Golden Nugget, one of great excellence, the fruit the 

 size of damsons, rich colour and excellent flavour. The best reds are : Red Dessert and 

 Cluster, both wonderfully productive, the fruit being about the size of pigeons' eggs. 



Early Winter Crops. When plants are raised from seed about the middle of June, and 

 are grown on into large pots, as previously described, they are kept outdoors till the end of 

 August. These are put into a greenhouse, near the glass and without heat, till the end 

 of September. Good quantities of fruit will be produced, and if then warmth of from 



