202 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



that the tomato is useful in providing cash returns for the first two or three 

 years before the vines prove remunerative. The inside vine border may be 

 planted with tomatoes, say at i|^ to 2 feet apart, the first week in May, and the 

 treatment necessary for the successful culture of the young vines after this 

 time will suit the tomato plants admirably, and when the growth of the vine is 

 completed for the season, and the vinery is kept open night and day, then 

 also will the tomatoes be over for the summer season. The aid of the tomato in 

 the vinery will be requisitioned again in the same way the second year, and in 

 a less degree the third year also ; after then the vines will monopolise both 

 borders and roof. 



Houses Devoted Entirely to the Tomato. — Where it is desired to have 

 English-grown tomatoes all the year round, a small house of the dimensions of 

 the one mentioned at first should be provided, and divided into three sections 

 with ample provision for artificial heating. Instructions how to succeed in 

 maintaining a succession all the year round need not be repeated here, as they 

 have been fully given. The supplies of tomatoes during winter and early 

 spring from the Canary Islands and other sources are so plentiful that it is hope- 

 less for the English grower to compete at those seasons with the least prospect 

 of success. One of our largest growers assured me that if he could be sure of 

 securing '4s. per lb. he would not be tempted to embark upon the hazardous 

 business of growing tomatoes for winter and early spring, when crops would 

 be light and fuel dear, so that as a commercial undertaking this aspect of 

 the question is not worth further consideration. 



Tomatoes in Pots. — Many growers find a remunerative market for ripe 

 tomatoes during May and early June. The quality of the English-grown fruit 

 is so much superior to the imported article that it fetches a better price, and 

 recoups the grower for the extra expense entailed in its production at this 

 comparatively early season. Plants intended to furnish these crops are obtained 

 by sowing the seed early in October and growing the seedlings in an inter- 

 mediate temperature through the autumn and winter, taking care to fertilise 

 every flower as it appears. Towards the end of February or the first week in 

 March they should be transferred into their fruiting pots (12-inch) and trained 

 up the roof. If care is taken to fertilise the flowers as they open, a prolific and 

 profitable crop will be the result. 



Wire-worms are often very troublesome. The best way to get rid of them 

 is by distributing pieces of carrot over the ground. Wire-worms are very fond 

 of these, and collect upon them in large numbers ; they are then easily 

 destroyed by burning. Of varieties, Chemin Rouge and Comet are the two 

 best for market culture. To secure the best fruit save your own seed from 

 the finest tomatoes grown during the season, bearing in mind that the fruit 

 should be heavy, of medium size, regular form, and attractive colour. 



Tomato Culture under Glass without Fire Heat. — In the Islands 

 of Guernsey and Jersey acres of glass are devoted to tomato culture with no 

 artificial heat, but the conditions there are more favourable to this method than 

 is the case in Britain. Still, this system is carried out on a large scale in some 

 districts near London. I have visited one where twenty houses, covering ten 



