434 GARDENING FOR THE SOUTH. 



Queen, Henderson's Ponderosa, Ignotum, Lemon Blush, 

 Livingston's Beauty, Livingston's Favorite, Matchless, 

 Green Gage, Mikado, Volunteer, Moore's, New Peach, 

 Paragon, Perfection. 



A few specially desirable varieties for general use may 

 be mentioned as follows: Early liuby, Livingston's 

 Beauty, Lemon Blush, Atlantic Prize, Ignotum, and 

 Ponderosa. 



The tomato likes a light, loamy soil, of moderate fer- 

 tility, as in a soil too rich it runs to vine, and the fruit 

 ripens late. For the early crop, sow at the first indica- 

 tions of spring, some six weeks before corn-planting time 

 (early in February here and at the North in March) in a 

 hot-bed, or in boxes in the house. 



Sow in drills eight inches apart, and when the plants 

 come up, thin to two or three inches, and transplant into 

 the open ground when the frosts are over. While in the 

 seed-bed give air at all times when there is no danger of 

 frost. It is better to sow quite early and transplant when 

 ready into small pots, and a couple of weeks after, when 

 these are full of roots, shift them into five-inch pots, in 

 which they may be kept until they blossom, if a late 

 spring or apprehension of frost renders it necessary. 

 Transfer them with the ball to the hill in the open ground 

 in a cloudy, damp time, in fresh-dug soil. If the weather 

 is dry they may be planted, the fresh soil pressed closely 

 about the ball, a plentiful watering gh r en, finishing with 

 a covering of light soil to keep the ground from baking, 

 and shade during the day until established. Let the rows 

 be about four feet apart and the plants three feet in the 

 row. In poor soil less room is required between the rows. 

 As they are very tender, do not plant out until danger 

 of frost is over, and protect them by large flower pots or 

 boxes, if there is any fear of frost. For a succession, sow 

 in the open ground about corn-planting time in a rich, 



