180 Subtropical Vegetable-Gardening 



possible, one should procure seed from those who make a 

 specialty of tomato-growing. 



Seed-beds. 



In regions where there are slight frosts in winter, the 

 seed-beds may be protected by boarding round and cover- 

 ing with protecting cloth, so as to make a coldframe. 

 This cloth is waterproof and may be rolled up during the 

 day. 



The coldframe will be found profitable at any place 

 where the coldest part of the winter is about 24° F. If, 

 however, there is an occasional winter that gets colder 

 than this, one can make preparations for it. The plants 

 in the coldframe can be covered with litter or leaves, and 

 the protecting cloth rolled over this; should the cold 

 continue for several days, there will be no danger in leaving 

 the bed in this way. 



In south Florida, where the temperature rarely gets to 

 the freezing point during winter, tomatoes may be planted 

 in an uncovered seed-bed. There should, however, be 

 some protection against the hot sun and against frosty 

 nights and even cold winds. A warm location should be 

 chosen. If it has not a natural wind-break, one may be 

 prepared on the east, north, and west sides, leaving the 

 south open. Even when the crop is wanted for late fall 

 shipments, seed-beds will be found useful. The seed 

 should be sown about -f inch deep, about two to the 

 inch, in drills about f inch apart, the seed covered care- 

 fully, the ground smoothed off, and the soil thoroughly 

 moistened. 



In tropical countries the seed-beds can be shaded by 



