TOMATOES 207 



When the young plants are set out in this way, 

 moved from their first sprouting place, the result is 

 to strengthen the root growth a good deal, while 

 the top is made more stocky and shorter. It will 

 be an interesting experiment for the schoolroom to 

 take a plant which has been transplanted, wash the 

 earth carefully from the roots, and compare the root 

 growth with that of a plant which has always grown 

 where it first rooted. 



Setting Out in the Garden 



When the leaves are half grown on the maples, 

 it is time to set the tomatoes in the open groutid. 

 For these plants you may use the poorer -part of 

 the garden plot, as tomatoes do well in sandy or 

 gravelly soil, and it is comparatively easy to prepare 

 the soil about each plant to suit its needs. As the roots 

 are already well grown, the nice cultivation required 

 for the smaller plants is not needed for tomatoes. 



Preparing the Soil. — With the spading fork, dig 

 holes about a foot deep and two feet across, and 

 make sure that the stones are removed. Then mix 

 a shovelful of well-rotted dairy dressing, or a handful 

 of commercial fertilizer, thoroughly with the earth, 

 as it is put back into the hole. Too much fertihzer 

 will grow vines instead of fruit. See that the soil 

 is well moistened. 



Paper Collars. — Before setting in the ground, 

 strip the lower leaves from the stalk and wrap a 



