TOMATOES 



447 



FIG. 170. Tomato root infested with 

 nematodes 



Soil. The soil for the cultiva- 

 tion of this crop should be 

 well-decomposed loam made, if 

 possible, from the sods of an old 

 pasture the soil of which is a 

 rather light, clayey loam or a 

 heavy, sandy loam. With this 

 should be incorporated about one 

 fourth its bulk of well-rotted 

 stable manure, preferably cow 

 manure. By composting these 

 two materials together for from 

 four to six months before they 

 are required for use, a satisfac- 

 tory soil will be obtained. The 

 soil that is used for forcing 

 tomatoes should be frozen each 

 year, and it is consequently un- 

 wise to allow it to remain in the 

 greenhouse longer than a single season. It becomes somewhat 

 exhausted and is liable to become infested with injurious forms 

 of life, particularly nematodes, 

 which cause root knots upon the 

 plants, defeating the work of the 

 gardener. Figure 170 shows a 

 tomato root infested with nema- 

 todes, while figure 1 71 illustrates a 

 healthy tomato root-system. This 

 trouble, however, can be easily 

 overcome by subjecting the soil 

 to freezing or to steam steriliza- 

 tion. In localities where the win- 

 ter temperature will not permit 

 renovating the soil by freezing, 

 steam may be used to accomplish 

 the same end. 



Soil sterilization. Sterilization 

 can be carried on in boxes from FIG. 171. Healthy tomato root 



