128 MAKING HORTICULTURE PAY 



soon as formed. It is necessary to go over the 

 vines about three times in an ordinary season, and 

 in a very wet season perhaps four times. No other 

 work in connection with the crop will prove more 

 profitable. 



" We usually begin to pick tomatoes July 5 to 10. 

 All that we can ripen before August i usually bring 

 from $3 to $7 a bushel. From August 10 to Sep- 

 tember I the price usually falls below $1, and often 

 as low as 50 cents a bushel. From September i 

 until frost destroys the vines the price gradually 

 rises again, on account of the demand for canning 

 purposes. A patch of plants in their prime during 

 the latter period will always be profitable. This 

 late crop usually follows early peas, potatoes, or 

 cabbage. When serious frost threatens, the plants 

 are carefully pulled, put in small piles and covered 

 with straw. Ripe tomatoes may be secured in this 

 way until Thanksgiving. They always bring a 

 good price. The green ones thus saved are also in 

 demand for chowder, pickles, etc. 



" Last season we had a total of 1.04 acres in 

 tomatoes, and the gross income from this area was 

 $410.57. The common idea that tomatoes do best 

 on poor soil is fallacious. We give our tomatoes 

 the best soil we have, and believe results justify it. 



" Sweet corn is, in many respects, the second 

 most satisfactory crop we raise. While the in- 

 come an acre is not as large as with some other 

 crops, the cost of production is very low, requiring 

 no hand labor except picking the ears. Early 

 Cory is grown for very early corn and Country 

 Gentleman, Stowell's Evergreen, and Columbus 

 Market as main crops. Plantings are so made that 

 a continuous supply may be had from the beginning 

 to the end of the season. 



