SOLANACEOUS CROP PROJECTS 63 



9. What is the character of tomato roots? 



10. Is the root pruning caused by transplanting small seedlings an 

 advantage or a disadvantage? Why? 



13. Hardening the plants. — When tomato plants are kept in a 

 warm forcing structure of any kind, with an abundant supply of 

 soil moisture, they become very tender. If transferred to the 

 open air when in such a succulent condition, they are easily in- 

 jured or even killed by light frost, drying winds, or hot sunshine. 

 Disastrous results from these causes may be avoided to a large 

 extent by giving the plants a certain amount of ill treatment, so 

 to speak, before they are transplanted into the open ground. 

 Water is withheld after the plants have attained nearly the size 

 desired, even if they wilt somewhat. Much more air is admitted 

 to the frames, and on warm days the sashes are removed entirely. 

 This kind of treatment for about a week has the tendency to make 

 the plant tissues less succulent and more firm, so that they will 

 stand rather severe weather conditions in the field. Millions of 

 plants are lost annually because this, matter is not given careful 

 attention. Even the most thoroughly hardened tomato plants 

 will not survive severe frosts, but they will stand light frosts, 

 hard winds, and dry weather if properly planted. 



1. What is meant by the hardening of plants ? W-VG : 159. 



2. How is hardening accomplished ? W-VG : 159. 



3. What is its importance? W-VG: 159. 



14. Preparing the garden soil. — There is an erroneous idea 

 among growers of limited experience that this vegetable does not 

 require high fertility. It is true that small crops of tomatoes 



