REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OX GARDEN'S. 303 



The following article, taken from the " Florists' Exchange," 

 September 5, 1896, is reproduced here as of value to all who are 

 engaged in this industry : 



Winter FoRCixr; of Tomatoes. 



Preparations for this work should ik>w be well under way, and 

 if the tomato seed is not already sown no time should be lost in 

 doing so, for every day is of value now. The seed needs to be 

 sown in a light soil, and just as soon as the plants are large 

 enough to handle pot them up, singly, in two-inch pots, using a 

 nice light liberal soil. Grow the plants on carefully and avoid 

 drawing or coddling them, but make a point of keeping them 

 stocky yet not starved. It is essential to their welfare that they 

 never suffer from any kind of neglect. Immediately the roots 

 spread all through the soil, pot up into, say, a four-inch pot, 

 using a more retentive soil, which should consist of good sound 

 loam and short, well-rotted manure. Attend carefully to the 

 watering and keep the plants moving lively, but not foi'ced. 

 Then, as soon as they will stand it, get them potted into their 

 fruiting pots, or planted out on the bench, if so desired. To get 

 early fruit, however, pots are to be preferred, the roots being 

 then more under control. 



For the final potting the soil requires to be kept more lumpy ; 

 try and retain all the fibre possible, and see that there is ample 

 drainage, so arranged that the water will get away freely. Use a 

 little solid, yet well-rotted, horse or cow manure. A small por- 

 tion of quarter-inch bone may also be used, but it is better to. 

 provide for feeding after the pots are full of roots than to make- 

 the soil very rich at first; for this reason, the more growth the- 

 less liable is one to get a good set of fruit ; and this is important,, 

 for on an early set depends whether or not tomatoes can be 

 picked in December and January. 



As the plants grow, be careful to trim away all lateral or. side- 

 shoots. It is better to train to a single stem and keep to that 

 unless the plant is very thrifty and shows an inclination to make- 

 a good second stem, which frequently happens. 



Another point to watch is the distribution of the plants,. thaij 

 they will get the greatest amoiuit of sunshine. That brings us 

 to the question of training, and of doing this there is a variety 

 of methods. Some adopt only a single stake, others make a 



