142 VEGETABLE GROWING. 



tion of fruit, but not interfere with the production of 

 leaf surface, so the mere removing of buds and flower 

 clusters will be the pruning desired. The extent to 

 which pruning can be carried will depend largely upon 

 the variety, condition of weather, and kind of land. A 

 dwarf variety, during dry weather and on poor, dry 

 soil, can be pruned much more severely than a large- 

 growing variety, during rainy season, on fertile land ; 

 in fact, the latter will scarcely permit any pruning. 



STAKING. 



The usual varieties of tomatoes that are grown for 

 Northern markets have not a strong enough stem to 

 carry the weight of the leaves and fruit, consequently 

 they fall over and the fruit comes in contact with the 

 soil ; this renders it unsightly and also quite accessi- 

 ble to attack from insects and fungi. Consequently a 

 great many tomatoes are lost when the vines are not 

 staked and tied. Stakes used for this purpose are 

 about one and one-half inches square and three feet 

 long. One of these is driven down by each tomato 

 plant and the plant tied firmly to this. Some strong 

 wrapping cord, that is at the same time quite soft, is 

 employed. The cord should be wrapped twice around 

 the stake at the proper height and then a hard knot 

 tied. Then pass the string around the tomato plant 

 and tie the knot so as to hold the plant loosely. The 

 double wrap around the stake secures the cord from 

 slipping up and down, while the cord tied loosely about 

 the plant prevents any binding or cutting. Staking 

 and tying tomatoes will not be found profitable where 

 land is cheap and labor dear. 



TRELLISING. 



The trellising of tomatoes is carried on very largely 

 in portions of the United States where tomatoes are 



