40 VEGETABLE GROWING PROJECTS 



3. Is the tomato a profitable crop in your community ? 



4. How important is the tomato as a home garden crop ? L : 244. 



5. What is the general commercial importance of the tomato crop? 



L : 244. Tra : 18. 



6. What is known about the history of the tomato f 



7. What are its main botanical characteristics ? 



8. How does it compare with other vegetables in food value? What 



is its chemical composition ? 



2. Selecting location. — The tomato may be grown success- 

 fully in any fertile garden soil, provided it is well drained. Soils 

 containing considerable sand are especially valuable in growing 

 the early crop, but most excellent yields are obtained from even 

 the very heavy types of soil. The lighter soils, however, are 

 easier to work, and, if available, should be chosen in preference to 

 heavy clay loams. 



If tomatoes are grown on the same land year after year, de- 

 structive diseases will soon appear. It is important, therefore, to 

 grow tomatoes in rotation with other vegetables, or preferably in 

 rotation with general farm crops. 



It is important to bear in mind that the tomato is a "tender " 

 vegetable, and that the plants grow and fruit better on southern 

 exposures affording protection from hard winds, than on cold 

 northern or western slopes. 



1. What soil is best for tomatoes ? 



W-VG : 452. Tra : 33-37. 



2. Have you a suitable soil for growing tomatoes? Describe it. 



