THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



233 



weed that will submit to gross neglect and still 

 flourish as will the tomato, and if we were content 

 to grow a supply for home or market during 

 the months of August and September no especial 

 instruction or costly manipulation would be re- 

 quired. 



On this subject W. J. Ritterskamp of Indiana 

 writes as follows : " I find that to grow tomatoes 

 very early, say, to have them commence to ripen 

 during the first 

 halt of June while 

 prices are high, 

 three things are 

 absolutely neces- 

 sary. First, an 

 early variety, then 

 an early start, and 

 lastly an early situ- 

 ation. 



"There is not 

 much to say or 

 write about early 

 varieties, as we are 

 still looking for the 

 ideal one. Those 

 we have are either 



too small or the shape is not desirable. When peo- 

 ple are asked to pay from 35 to 50 cents a dozen for 

 tomatoes they demand fruit that has the color and 

 shape to please the eye, and quality is of secondary 

 importance. I have found but one variety, Chalk's 

 Early Jewel, that combines size, shape, color, and 

 firmness in a high degree, but unfortunately it is 

 not one of the very first early. 



" Of the first earlies Maule's Earliest is my 

 choice. It is a very prolific large red tomato, and, 



POTTED TOMATO PLANT 



