TOMATOES 245 



shifted to four-inch pots, which are then plunged to the rim in the 

 soil of the coldframe. Here they develop large root systems, and 

 strong, stocky tops that will stand erect when the plants are 

 placed in the field (Fig. 23). 



As the time for transplanting approaches, the plants should 

 be gradually hardened-off, so that they will be making a slow, 

 hard growth rather than a rampant, sappy growth, at the time 

 they are placed in the open. If handled in this way, the plants 

 start growth more quickly in the field, and very few are lost by 

 reason of the changed conditions. 



Transplanting. — In removing the plants from the coldframe, 

 if pots have not been used, it is customary to cut the soil in squares, 

 with a plant in the center of each square, and then carefully lift 

 the blocks of soil by means of a spade, and place them on a low 

 wagon for transporting to the field. Here they are again lifted 

 with the spade (Fig. 148), and placed in holes previously prepared, 

 as described below. The earth is filled in about the plants by means 

 of a hoe. 



The preparation of a field for tomatoes does not differ materi- 

 ally from its preparation for corn or other field crops, except that 

 after being plowed and pulverized it is furrowed out for the 

 reception of the plants. The furrows are usually from four to 

 five feet apart each way, the latter distance being preferable 

 except for dwarf varieties. Except in the case of rich soils, it is 

 also customary to apply fertilizer or manure to the hills. After 

 the land has been furrowed out both ways, the loose soil is scooped 

 from the intersections by means of a hoe, making for each plant 

 a hole about one foot across. In this, a handful of fertilizer is 

 scattered just before the setting of the plant. A mixture of steamed 

 bone, dried blood and potassium sulfate, used at the rate of one- 

 fourth pound per plant, is a good fertilizer for tomatoes. Some- 

 times manure is used in the hills, but more often it is applied broad- 

 cast when used at all. Sometimes tomato fields are manured 

 broadcast and fertilized in the hill. However, on rich soils it is 

 not necessary to fertilize in the hills, and good crops can often be 

 grown without manuring or fertilizing of any kind. 



The time of transplanting varies somewhat with the season, 

 but in general it may be said to follow closely upon the time of 

 planting early corn. The earlier it can be done without running 

 serious risk of losing the plants by frost, the earlier the crop is 

 likely to be. 



