THE TOMATO 201 



plants, the rows and the plants being i foot apart ; a space of 2 feet is left 

 between the next double row. Thus throughout the houses there are double 

 rows of plants with a 2 feet wide pathway between. About as many plants are 

 used as if they were planted 18 inches apart all through the house, but the 

 above method provides for more convenient working. We will suppose that 

 the house is ready for planting the last week in April, that the plants are 

 from 12 to 18 inches high, strong and sturdy, and with the first fruits formed. 

 For the production of these plants seeds should be sown early in January. 

 The number of plants to be grown will be governed by the number and 

 extent of the houses to be planted. As soon as planting is over each plant 

 should be staked or attached to upright strings. If the plants then receive a 

 good soaking of water, they will not give much trouble for some time. Little 

 or no fire heat will be required in the daytime, but at night the temperature 

 should not fall below 55 degs. On bright sunny days air may be admitted 

 freely, consistent with maintaining an atmosphere of from 65 to 70 degs. in 

 the middle of the day. Exercise care not to over-water the plants at any time, 

 but especially so immediately after planting. 



General Treatment. — When a good set of fruit is secured and the 

 border filled with roots, then water must be given in more abundance and 

 manure water at every other application. Liquid manure from the farmyard 

 is the best stimulant to use, but frequently this is difficult to procure, and a 

 substitute must be found in some artificial manure of good repute. Until 

 plenty of fruits are formed, air must be liberally admitted, and in order that 

 every flower that opens should be converted into a fruit, let the grower go over 

 the plants at midday with a rabbit's tail, and draw it over each flower. He 

 will find the crop much improved by assisting fertilisation. When the fruits 

 are formed the temperature of the house may be raised, especially in the after- 

 noon after closing. When the air is moist after a liberal syringing, 80 or 85 

 degs. for an hour or two will be none too high. At least twice a week cut 

 off lateral shoots, restricting the plants to one stem only. When the plants 

 have been bearing some time and a good portion of the crop is gathered, a 

 top-dressing of rich soil will much help to strengthen the plants and prolong 

 their fertility. By the end of the summer the plants will be 8 or 9 feet high. 

 They should then be stopped, for any fruit which might afterwards form 

 would not be worth waiting for ; rather let the grower do his best to assist 

 those already " set " by the time the house is wanted for chrysanthemums — 

 towards the end of September. How many pounds of fruit a tomato plant 

 is capable of producing in the course of a season is difficult to say, and would 

 scarcely be answered by two growers alike. Upwards of 20 lbs. per plant 

 have occasionally been reported, but this is quite exceptional, and if the grower 

 can average 8 lbs. he should be well satisfied. If the price averages 2jd. per 

 lb. for the season, the return from each plant (at 18 inches apart) would be 

 IS. 8d. ; and as an acre of land takes nearly 20,000 plants at this distance, the 

 curious can easily find out for themselves the return to be expected from an 

 acre of land covered with glass. 



Tomato Culture in the Vinery. — It is when vineries are newly planted 



