CUTTINGS 35 



The soil used should be new soil consisting of loam, leaf mould, 

 and sand. Though it must not be rich, it is false economy to use 

 old, spent soil, just as it would be a mistake to mix manure with 

 it. Press this soil firmly, sow the seeds evenly and thinly, 

 cover lightly. After the soaking with hot water, no further 

 wetting is needed till the seeds are up. If sown in heat they will 

 be above the soil in a week, but there is a very common error 

 made by standing the boxes or pans just over the hot-water pipes 

 and thus forcing the first growth. This is reprehensible, for it 

 is bad for the constitution of the young plant from which you 

 expect so much later on. Rather, let the earliest stages be 

 leisured, for so only can they conduce to strength. 



Immediately the seedlings begin to pierce the soil expose them 

 to the light and as near to the glass as may be convenient. 

 Ivight and air will prevent them running to stalks, which ought 

 not to exceed J inch in length. Transplant them while yet only 

 the cotyledons have appeared, and give every plant at least 

 2 inches of space for its very own. Be sure the soil is well firmed, 

 for from first to last, as we shall show later, the Tomato will 

 grow most sturdily and bear more heavily in well-firmed soil. 



When the transplanted seedlings have developed two pairs 

 of leaves they are ready for potting into 6o's and in this size 

 should make ideal plants for the plantation ; but should the 

 latter not be ready for them, then by no means allow them to 

 remain in such small pots and thereby deteriorate, but go to 

 the necessary trouble and shift them into larger pots. It will 

 be labour well spent. 



The atmosphere the young Tomatoes thrive in must not be 

 overcharged with humidity. We always consider them as 

 comparatively " dry " subjects, enjoying moisture at the roots, 

 but not among the foliage. They do enjoy and must have a 

 free circulation of air, without which they grow soft and lose 

 their constitution. 



CHAPTER IV. 



CUTTINGS 



The art of increasing plants by means of " slips " or 

 " cuttings " goes back through the ages, as indeed do most 



