TYPICAL LESSON PLANS 119 



Watch to see where the second pair of leaves appear. Are 

 these leaves the same shape as the first ones ? 



When the plants are three or four inches high they may 

 be transplanted into small flower pots, old berry boxes, or 

 tin cans. If the last are used, be sure that a hole is made 

 in the bottom of each can for drainage. However, if 

 the plants are not allowed to crowd one another too much, 

 they may be left in the large box until time to set them out 

 in the garden. 



The plants should be set out the first or second week in 

 May. Have an indoor lesson to decide how and where this 

 is to be done. This decided, the children should do the 

 work of setting the plants, watering, and cultivating them. 

 The plants should be set in rows four or five feet apart. 

 Encourage the children to set out some of the plants in 

 their own home garden. Watch the growth of the plant 

 and note when the first blossoms appear. What is the 

 color of the tomato flowers ? When does the fruit begin to 

 ripen? Can the plants stand up straight when they are 

 loaded with fruit ? It will be a good plan to use a support 

 to help keep the fruit up in the light and air so it will 

 ripen more evenly. How many tomatoes will one plant 

 produce ? 



What is the fruit good for ? Think of all the different 

 dishes made from tomatoes; stews, soups, cream tomatoes, 

 salads, scallops, etc. How are they put away for winter 

 use? Our mothers can them, or they are canned in the 

 factories and we may buy them from the grocer. 



Suggestion. — The entire fruit of the tomato as well as 

 the cross section are good objects for water-color work. 



