234 MAKING HORTICULTURE PAY 



if one is willing to throw out half for culls, the 

 others will make a very salable grade of firsts. The 

 quality is of the best, and as this variety is so very 

 prolific, I believe that the one-half retained as firsts 

 will measure up equally with the entire crop of 

 Acme, Dwarf Champion, or Dwarf Stone. 



" I sow seed of Chalk's Early Jewel in green- 

 house by February i. When plants show the true 

 leaf I transplant the seedlings 2x2 inches on the 

 benches. As soon as they crowd each other I 

 transplant again, using 4-inch flower pots for 1,000 

 or more. The others are set 3x4 inches, either 

 on the benches or in a hotbed. I keep the tempera- 

 ture rather low, 45 degrees at night, lettuce tem- 

 perature. This makes nice plants by May 10, that 

 have fruit set the size of persimmons. 



" Those set in flower pots are moved into glass- 

 covered frames the last week of April. The glass 

 is taken off in mild weather and left off at night 

 when I am sure that frost will not get them. This 

 hardens the plants and it would take quite a little 

 frost after they have been set in the field seriously 

 to injure them. Muslin-covered frames will often 

 answer for this hardening off. 



"I want to caution against over-watering while 

 the plants are under glass. It is much safer to 

 keep the plants rather too dry than too wet. When 

 the plants grow thrifty, with a purple hue at the 

 lower part of stem, one may feel safe that they have 

 light and water according to their needs. If over- 

 crowded and over-watered the plants will grow up 

 spindling and with bleached stems. Such plants 

 will never do well if they do live. 



" I prefer high land sloping either to east or south 

 for early tomatoes. Sandy soil would be best, but 

 I have none but clay loam. This I make rather 



