332 



THE GARDENER'S ASSISTANT. 



used, but when they are growing strongly much 

 more water will be needed, and the plants must 

 also be raised well up to the light to prevent 

 them from becoming leggy. When small pots 

 are used the plants should be shifted again into 

 6-inch pots, otherwise they quickly become root- 

 bound and starved. On the whole it is better 

 to place the seedlings direct into the 5-inch and 

 6-inch pots, as it saves labour, and stronger, 

 sturdier plants are usually obtained. 



Towards the end of May the first bunch of 

 bloom will be showing, when the plants may be 

 hardened off ready for their fruiting quarters. 

 If they can be got out well in advance of this 

 first flowering, there is a chance of a good set 

 being effected, whereas when raised earlier 

 in the season and half starved, the first flowers 

 drop prematurely, and a late crop is the conse- 

 quence. 



Blank spaces on walls between Peach and 



-ft- -em 



Fig. 1108.— Neglected Plant— side-shoots 

 not removed. 



Fig. 1109. -Result of timely removal of all 

 superfluous growth. 



other trees are suitable positions for Tomatoes. 

 It is even worth while to erect temporary fences 

 for the purpose. High front walls of forcing and 

 fruit houses may likewise be similarly utilized. 

 If there are no borders, they can be formed on 

 quite a hard bottom if need be, a foot in depth 

 and width of good soil and a summer mulching 

 of straw and manure sufficing. 



No great amount of pains need be expended 

 on the preparation of the soil, ordinary well- 

 enriched garden soil being capable of supporting 

 strong plants bearing heavy crops. If the 

 plants are placed in the same sites every year, 

 then not less than a good shovelful of fresh 

 loam and solid manure ought to be given to 

 each plant. 



If protection of some kind can be afforded, 

 the planting may be done during the third week 

 in May; but, as a rule, when only a few are 



grown, little is gained and some risk is run 

 by planting before the first week in June. 

 Those to be trained against walls and fences 

 should be planted 1 foot apart and kept con- 

 fined to a single stem, but if plants are scarce 

 they may be arranged 3 feet, or rather less, 

 apart, and two side-growths be laid in additional 

 to the central one. 



No lateral shoots ought to be allowed to grow 

 on either the single, central, or side growths 

 (as shown in fig. 1108), but all should be- 

 pinched out before they have a chance to either 

 smother or rob the fruit of much sustenance. 

 Keep the leading growths carefully fastened 

 by nails and shreds to the walls and fences, or 

 secured to wires or stakes, as the case may be, 

 as they are very liable to break down if neglected. 

 Stop the leaders beyond the third or fourth 

 cluster of fruit. 



