THE TOMATO. 225 



those in fig. 64, holding twenty plants each. These 

 measured twenty-three and three-fourths by eighteen 

 inches by seven inches high; they were made with two 

 end boards eighteen by seven inches, and three-inch laths 

 twenty-three and three-fourths inches long. When made 

 of these dimensions and placed in contact in rows of three 

 boxes across the bed, a cold frame six feet wide will rest 

 with its upper and lower edges upon the adjoining end 

 boards of the boxes. The boxes may be less than seven 

 inches deep. They are filled with soil which has 

 been screened or is naturally free from roots, sticks, peb- 

 bles, etc. Before removal from the frames, the soil must 

 be saturated with water, when the plants can be cut out 

 in the field with a sharp-edged brick-layer's trowel and 

 placed with blocks of soil adhering to the roots, in 

 squares previously made by the plow, using a double 

 mould-board. A hoeful of soil drawn to each side of 

 the plant finishes the planting. In this manner plants 

 may be put out on the highest ground, in the driest 

 weather, and during the hottest midday sunshine, without 

 wilting or the slightest apparent check to growth. 



TRANSPLANTING. 



If, however, the plants pricked out into cold frames 

 are taken up carefully, with as much moistened soil ad- 

 hering to the roots as possible, they may be planted out 

 with the dibble or trowel, without loss, when the soil is 

 only moist enough for the holes to be made, ihe recom- 

 mendations given in the chapter on " Transplanting," 

 being closely observed. 



The distances at which the plants are put out will de- 

 pend upon the fertility of the land and the variety ; the 

 usual distances are three to three and one-half feet in the 

 rows, which are from four to six feet apart. The season 

 and danger of frost will determine when to put out 

 the plants, which is about April 1st. A tomato plant, 



