196 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



filled with roots. When the plants are in full bearing a mulch of fresh horse 

 manure placed upon the border works wonders in improving the fruits. 

 Manure water (diluted) from the stable-yard, or made with some other fertiliser, 

 should be given at alternate waterings. It is always best, even in the summer, 

 to take the chill off the water before using it. Artificial fertilisation of the 

 flowers is not absolutely necessary to secure a good crop in the summer, yet if 

 the grower can afford the time it will pay him to do so, as the tomatoes, 

 instead of averaging four or five fruits to the bunch, will often have six or seven. 

 A rabbit's tail tied to the end of a stick is the best thing to use for fertilising the 

 flower. Nothing is gained by allowing the plants to become very tall, as only 

 weak growth is made at the top after the plants have been fruiting for some time, 

 therefore when from 5 to 6 feet high they should be stopped. All laterals must 

 be taken off close to the stem. Some growers advocate shortening the main 

 leaves. I prefer to encourage them to a strong and full development except 

 when the fruits are ripening ; the foliage may then be thinned out. During 

 the season of growth the atmosphere must be made moist by syringing in the 

 house, but the plants should not be syringed frequently. Planted on June i, 

 the tomato plants will be exhausted hy the first or second week in September, 

 and should be cleared out to make room for another lot, which will be in pots 

 of 12 inches diameter, two plants in each pot. 



Late Tomatoes. — These plants should have been grown in cold pits and 

 have some fruits already formed. They will come into bearing from the middle 

 of October to the end of January. To continue the supply until April when 

 the spring-grown fruits are ripe is more diflScult. Seeds must be sown towards 

 the end of August, and the seedlings grown in a cold frame until large 

 enough for removal to the fruiting pots. They must remain in cold frames, or 

 in a sunny position out-of-doors, until frost is likely, then remove them to a 

 temperate house, still giving them plenty of air. They will there make good 

 growth and set their fruits. It is important to have the fruits formed before 

 Christmas, so that when placed in a warm house early in January they will 

 quickly develop and ripen during February, March, and April. Thus we have 

 shown that it is possible to obtain three satisfactory crops of tomatoes from the 

 same house in one year. Some growers prefer autumn-sown plants for the first 

 spring crop instead of those sown on the ist of January. Seeds are sown in 

 the middle of October, and the seedlings kept through the winter on shelves 

 near the glass in a cool house. These should be potted into fruiting pots on 

 the 1st February. In some seasons they have an advantage over those sown on 

 the 1st January, but not always, and it is well to have a few plants of each. 



VARIETIES FOR CULTURE UNDER GLASS 



The varieties now in commerce are innumerable, but the few given below 

 may be relied upon as being of the best. Great size in the tomato is no recom- 

 mendation. Fruits of moderate size are best for all purposes. 



Jied. — Frogmore Selected. — Certainly one of the best both for cropping, appear- 

 ance, and quality ; bright red, often conical in shape. F.C.C. R.H.S. 



