TOMATOES 437 



the fruits are gathered as they ripen without special attention to 

 keeping them off the ground or to otherwise caring for them. 



Distribution of the crop. The soil for the tomato varies as much 

 as the different localities in which the plant is grown. Judging 

 from the extent of the tomato industry in Maryland, and the fact 

 that the greatest quantity of canned tomatoes is grown and packed 

 in that state, one would naturally expect to find that the soil con- 

 ditions of Maryland are ideal for the tomato. While it is undoubt- 

 edly true that the tomato can be more economically grown in 

 Maryland than in any locality north of that point, it does not 

 necessarily follow that the largest yield per acre is obtained in this 

 locality. The largest yields of tomatoes are undoubtedly obtained 

 in latitudes north of Maryland as the result of careful handling of 

 the plants and attention to fertilization and cultivation. Carefully 

 measured yields from areas of ^ acre and upwards in Michigan 

 have indicated a return of 1200 bushels per acre, which is prob- 

 ably far in excess of the yields ordinarily obtained by even the 

 best growers in localities where tomatoes are extensively produced 

 for canning purposes. 



The season for fruit production is longer in the higher latitudes 

 than it is in the lower ones. This is a rather interesting and un- 

 expected condition. One would expect the tomato to mature its 

 fruit earlier and continue bearing longer in the latitude of Wash- 

 ington than in that of Boston, but this is not the case. Tomatoes 

 in the latitude of Washington and south of this point come into 

 bearing quickly, produce a heavy flush of fruit, and then refuse to 

 do more. In order to have a continuous supply throughout the 

 season it is necessary for market gardeners and truckers to plant 

 seeds in succession. In fact, the common practice among truck 

 growers is to make two sowings an early sowing about the first 

 of February, which will give fruits early in July ; a second sowing 

 from April 1 5 to May I , which will give a crop of fruit from Sep- 

 tember to November. In the latitude of Boston, however, upon 

 the clay or gravelly loam soils of the terminal moraines, plants from 

 seed sown March 15 and transferred to the field about June I 

 will 'grow and ripen fruits continuously until the vines are killed 

 by the frosts. For this reason the large yields above mentioned 

 become possible. 



