200 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



The first thing is to consider how the best results can be produced at the least 

 possible cost. Past experience has shown that this can be brought about best 

 by adopting at least three systems of culture. First, in combination with that 

 of the chrysanthemum ; secondly, with the vine ; and lastly, the culture of the 

 tomato alone. The first system is the most general, and prevails to a large 

 extent among growers of tomatoes for market. Chrysanthemums occupy the 

 houses in winter, and tomatoes in summer. 



The Houses. — These may be of various sizes. For summer crops houses 

 21 feet wide are convenient, and the length may be anything from lOO to 300 

 feet. The side walls of these houses should be at least 4 feet, and the apices 

 12 feet high. For early and winter crops smaller houses are best. Those 

 12 feet wide and 8 feet high at the apex are convenient, and if sunk in the 

 ground a couple of feet, an advantage in the way of warmth will be secured. 

 Winter and spring tomatoes are best grown in pots, and trained to a trellis 

 near the roof. As I said before the question of economy must be well considered, 

 and there is no aspect of the question more important than the houses. To 

 those proposing to embark in this business who are not familiar with the work, 

 let me impress upon them the importance of first visiting a successful grower's 

 establishment, of which there are many within easy reach of London, especially 

 at Finchley on one side, and at Hampton-on-Thames and Twickenham on the 

 other. There they will see the best methods of construction, ventilation, and 

 heating, and also the system of culture in favour among market growers. 



Position of the Houses.- — The position should be well exposed to the 

 south and west, and protected, if possible, from cold north and east winds by 

 hedges planted not too near the houses. The question of soil is a very 

 important one, when we come to determine where to erect the houses. If 

 the land is not of good quality and fair depth, then its value is much dis- 

 counted, for if we build houses on poor land money must be spent in pro- 

 viding good soil. The question of drainage is also an important one. If the 

 land is not well drained, this will be the first work to attend to, as without 

 effective drainage successful cultivation is impossible. New houses should be 

 completed early in April ; the grower will then have the season before him 

 in which to grow and market profitable crops before it is time to fill the houses 

 with chrysanthemums for winter. 



Preparing the Soil. — If the land on which the houses are built is under 

 turf, this should be taken off 4 inches thick, and carefully stacked in some 

 convenient place. This will be invaluable afterwards. After the turf is 

 taken off, the ground should be bastard-trenched 18 or 24 inches. (In 

 bastard-trenching the subsoil is not brought to the surface, but simply dug 

 up and left in the same position.) Add well-decayed manure. Planting should 

 not be done immediately after trenching ; the land is too soft. When the 

 plants are planted the soil should be moderately dry, and be firmly pressed 

 round the plants with the feet. This is important. If tomatoes are planted in 

 loose soil, partial failure will be sure to follow. The floor of the house should 

 be planted ; the only paths will be those between the rows. 



Planting. — The usual practice in large houses is to plant a double row of 



