1920.] 



Tomato Culture. 



363 



The question of the nature of artificial manures cannot be 

 fully discussed here, but it is a safe rule to use organic materials 

 where possible, in insoluble form, such as bone meal or flour 

 when dug in, and dissolved bone or guano wlien used as a top 

 dressing. Potash must, of course, be mineral and soluble. 



Lime should never be overlooked, not because it is essential 

 to the tomato, but because it assists the assimilation of tlie 

 plant foods present in the soil and also possesses useful in- 

 sccticidal properties. 



Picking:, Grading: and Packing.— Fruit which is intended for 

 distant markets should be picked at least 24 hours before it is 

 fully ripe, as in this condition it travels better, and will be 

 quite ripe by the time it is retailed to the consumer. The 

 fruit should be graded as follows : — (i) Pink — fully coloured, 

 uniform in size, smooth, round and firm, averaging 5 or 6 per 

 lb. (2) Pink and white — good colour, uniform in size, smooth, 

 round, and firm, averaging 6 to 9 per lb. (3) Blue — sound, 

 shape and colour not perfect, smooth, round and firm, with no 

 fruits less than 10 to the lb. (4) White — sound, colour and 

 shape not perfect, small, and averaging 16 to the lb. (5) Blue 

 and White or Chats — very small, undeveloped fruits. (6) Pink 

 and blue or Roughs — large, badly shaped, diseased, and dis- 

 coloured fruits. The colours given indicate the colours of paper 

 used for lining the baskets. The chief packages used are 

 12 lb. chip and 12 lb. wicker strike, which should contain a 

 full 12 lb. w^hen packed. A label indicating the grade and net 

 weight when packed should be tied on the outside of each 

 package in such a manner that it is not removed when the 

 cover is taken off. 



Measures against Disease. — There are numerous fungoid 

 diseases which attack tomatoes and for which there are no really 

 satisfactory remedies when once the plants are attacked. 

 Cleanly methods, careful attention to ventilation and watering, 

 and the removal of all weeds both inside and outside the houses, 

 promote a sound and healthy grow^th which enables the plant 

 to resist attacks to a very large degree. \Miere successive 

 crops are grown in the same soil, thorough disinfection of the 

 house and sterilisation of the soil by one of the many carbolic 

 preparations are essential. 



In conclusion, the writer desires to impress upon readers the 

 fact that the most important elements making for success in 

 tomato growing are, careful work, careful thought, and clean 

 culture. Methods may vary, but if these important factors, 

 are neglected a full measure of success is never attained. 



