EARLY MISTAKES WITH TOMATOES. 



121 



but the sticks are excellent. Moreover, the forced crowns are good 

 for planting out. 



The next simplest plan of forcing is to cover the stools with a pot 

 in the open ground, and heap manure or leaves over it. Forcing 

 crowns may be lifted, packed in soil in boxes or barrels — leaving a 

 space of about 1 foot below^ the lid in order to permit of the produce 

 developing— and placed in a temperature of about 55^. 



Seakale is sometimes subject to canker, especially when grown on 

 damp, heavy, highly manured soil. A light, very friable, well- 

 drained soil suits it best. If the disease puts in an appearance, 

 change the ground, if possible, and apply a dressing of kainit at the 

 rate of 5 lb. per square rod. 



Of special varieties, Lily White may be chosen, but few are 

 offered. 



Cbaptcr 26.— tomatoes* 



There is no abatement in the interest that Tomatoes have com- 

 manded these past twenty years, and there is not likely to be. 

 The crop has secured a position from which it cannot be dis- 

 lodged. Its culture will extend, and the number of varieties 

 will grow with steady persistency : that is a safe prophecy. 



Naturally, when Tomato growling first began to become 

 general, mistakes in culture were made. If there is a right w^ay 

 and a wrong w^ay of doing a thing, trust human nature to stumble 

 on the wTong one. But if the unthinking many go astray, there 

 are always, happily, the observ^ant few to ponder, to experiment, 

 and finally to discover the road to success. 



The general mistake made wath Tomatoes was overmanuring. 

 The plants w^ere gorged wuth dung, and as a result they 

 smothered themselves wdth foliage, bore little fruit, and w^ere 

 ready to embrace w-ith open arms the first enemy that came 

 along. We have changed all that. We banish the dung fork to 

 the uttermost depths of the toolshecl w^hen w^e think about 

 Tomatoes ; and with a less pampered, less plethoric, plant we 

 get health and fruitlulness. It is possible, of course, to carry 

 the principle too far. I cannot think that the dry ash bed, w^hich 

 some speak of, gives the best crops. Indeed, the best which I 

 have any know^ledge of are grown in about 6 inches de^Dth of 

 sound turfy loam, enriched with a little burnt woody refuse. 



The great thing with Tomatoes is a good start. I do not 

 mean by this a very early one, unless the grower has tlie markets 



