296 VEGETABLE FORCING 
of greenhouse tomatoes. Bordeaux mixture is appar- 
ently the best spray material to combat this disease. 
Various other diseases, such as Fusarium wilt, anthrac- 
nose, mosaic or calico leaf and bacterial blight, are often 
found on greenhouse tomatoes, but the most important 
diseases are the Leaf Mold and Blossom-End Rot. 
Fig. 95.—Each paper box holds six pounds of tomatoes, and eight boxes may be 
packed in a standard bushel box, such as is uscd in the Boston district. 
Marketing.—Greenhouse tomatoes should not be har- 
vested until they are well colored, because quality is in- 
variably sacrificed if they are picked too green. If to be 
sold on a local market, there is no necessity for picking 
them before they are fully ripe. It is desirable to 
examine the plants at least three times a week in order 
to remove all specimens at the proper degree of ripeness. 
The fruits should be handled with great care, to avoid 
bruising, and it is customary to pick them with the calyx 
attached. Early in the forenoon is the preferable time 
for gathering the fruits because they are then cooler and 
more solid than at midday when the sun may be shining 
and the houses are very warm. 
The fruits are wiped, if necessary, with a damp cloth 
and then graded. Rigid grading is absolutely necessary 
if a reputation for first-class fruit is desired. No. 1 or 
fancy grades should be free from very small, ill-shaped, 
cracked, bruised, spotted or otherwise defective speci- 
