TOMATOES 191 



at any season of the year, and when presented in per- 

 fection forms a pleasing addition to the exhibit, but 

 unquestionably the fruits must be faultless to obtain 

 the maximum number of points, as they are easily 

 produced when plenty of glass is at command com- 

 pared with many other vegetables. 



The first sowing of seed should be made early in 

 January in a genial temperature and a light sandy 

 compost. The seed will germinate quickly and when 

 this has occurred place the seed pan without delay on 

 a shelf near the glass. 



As the third leaf is forming pot off singly into 

 thumb pots using a compost of one part loam, three 

 parts leaf mould, with a liberal quantity of silver sand 

 and mix the whole well together. 



Warm the soil to the same temperature as the 

 house, and after potting thoroughly water in, while 

 the water must be of the same temperature as the 

 structure in which the plants are growing. Too 

 much moisture both at the roots and overhead is a 

 mistake. 



The plants will subsequently require potting on 

 into sixties, then into thirty-twos, and finally into the 

 pots in which they are to fruit. 



The soil for the final potting should consist of 

 three parts loam, one part thoroughly rotten manure, 

 with sufficient coarse sand or road grit to keep the 

 whole porous. Crock the pots carefully and pot 

 firmly. 



The plants can either be trained to stout stakes 



