98 VEGECULTURE 



alternate one which shows a bunch of fruit. One or two stems 

 only should be kept on each plant, the second starting from 

 the base when the first is two feet high, so as to take its place 

 when it becomes bare of fruit. The plants need a stake each, 

 about. four feet in length, and to this the stems must be secured, 

 always leaving sufficient room in the ligatures for aftergrowth. 

 When established, the plants require copious supplies of water ; 

 but it is advisable to err, if at all, on the dry rather than the 

 wet side, though a deficiency of moisture at the roots when 

 the fruit is forming will be the cause of trouble in the way of 

 deformed, small fruit, and lead to premature ripening, and 

 hard, seedy fruits instead of tender, fleshy specimens. In no 

 case must crowding be allowed, or the house kept close and 

 saturated with moisture. A temperature of fifty-five to sixty 

 degrees at night, sixty to sixty-five degrees by day, with ten 

 to fifteen degrees rise from sun heat, is suitable, a little air being 

 given at sixty-five degrees, and increasing it with the advancing 

 heat so as to have the ventilation free, between seventy and 

 seventy-five degrees. 



TOMATOES FROM CUTTINGS. The perpetuation of Tomato 

 plants from cuttings is chiefly recommended because they are 

 considered to begin bearing earlier than seedlings, and they are 

 sometimes less vigorous, which is an advantage in a limited 

 space. This system is an excellent one by which to raise plants 

 for winter fruiting. The cuttings are struck in August, in small, 

 single pots, grown on, and shifted into larger pots as they become 

 necessary until a ten- or twelve-inch size is reached. The plants 

 are grown with single stems, being pinched after each bunch 

 of fruit shows by taking off the extreme point. New feeders 

 then speedily form, and additional fruits appear at their first 

 joints, ensuring productiveness at an early stage. Cuttings 

 struck at the beginning of October supply the early crop in the 

 spring, and are more desirable, as winter-fruiting is not always 

 satisfactory. Cuttings root readily if kept close in a heated 

 house, and after they are struck should be gradually inured 

 to the air of the house, and placed on shelves near the glass in 

 an airy position. The night temperature that is necessary 

 during the winter is from fifty-five to sixty degrees, whilst in 

 the daytime a rise of five degrees suffices. Careful management 

 is most essential to success. 



TOMATOES FOR SPRING CUTTING. For this purpose, the plants 

 may be grown in a frame, which should stand in the full sunshine. 

 The plants will have been raised previously in heat, and be 



