262 



Solanaceous Fruits 



151. A stage in evolution. 



set. The advocates of this system claim that it greatly 

 increases the size of the individual fruits and that 

 the bulk of the crop ripens several days earlier than 



on unpruned plants. Of 

 course each plant produces 

 fewer fruits than when al- 

 lowed to grow unchecked, 

 but this is partly compen- 

 sated for by increased size 

 and by closer planting that is 

 possible on this system, thus 

 allowing a greater number of 

 plants to the acre. In several 

 of the more important to- 

 mato-growing regions this system is very widely followed." 



Harvesting and marketing. 



When frost threatens, the largest green tomatoes may 

 be picked a n d 

 allowed to ripen 

 in drawers or in 

 other dry and 

 close places. Usu- 

 ally they color 

 well and develop a 

 good quality. If 

 the fruits have 

 not reached their 

 full size, the 

 whole plant may be pulled and hung in a barn or other dry 

 place and the fruits will abstract nourishment from the 

 vine and sometimes complete their ripening. 



152. Foliage and flowers of the common 

 tomato. Lycopersicon esculentum var. 

 commune (X 2/5)- 



