s 



MARKET NURSERY WORK 



If new compost has been put into trenches it will need consoli- 

 dating ; if the ground has been dug all over it will need a little 

 pressing. Light, spongy soil will need treading most ; heavy 

 soils none at all, only firming around the plants as they are 

 planted. If really heavy ground was trodden, the soil would 

 become so hard that it would be impervious to young roots. 

 That we must always avoid. Let judgment be exercised in 

 this as in all other operations, remembering there is no fixed rule. 



The plants, grown in 6o's as 

 advised in Vol. I, should be about 

 9 inches high, short of joint, firm 

 stalk, and deep green foliage (see 

 Fig. 4). In turning them out of 

 their pots do not break the ball or 

 in any way disturb the roots, except 

 to take away the crock. Make a 

 hole in the soil, either with your 

 hand or a trowel, large enough to 

 take the ball with something to 

 spare, insert same, and press the soil 

 well around the roots. 



The distance at which the plants 

 are placed apart is variable, accord- 

 ing to the soil and the predilection 

 of the grower, but taking an average, 

 -we suggest that 18 inches apart in 

 the rows and 24 inches from row to 

 TOW is a very safe and convenient 

 distance. In Guernsey we have seen 

 -thousands planted only I foot apart 



in the rows, the rows being in pairs at less than I foot apart, and 

 18 inches between the sets of rows, but we have solid grounds for 

 preferring the more liberal allowance of space. Where they are 

 too crowded the knife has to be in constant use among the dense 

 foliage, and this frequent and often rough surgery must of necessity 

 weaken the plant and interfere with its proper functioning, so that 

 its working life is somewhat shortened. Were we content with 

 the old-time average of 5 Ib. per plant, then we could not object 



FIG. 4. 

 Tomato Ready for Planting. 



