ie 
ID. IM IFIBIRURYC @ CO, IDEWROMIT, MAKI. 57 
TOMATO 
Tomatoes do best on light, warm, not over-rich soil and success depends largely upon securing a rapid, vigorous and 
unchecked growth during the early part of the season. Sow in hotbed or in shallow boxes in the house from six to eight 
weeks before they can be set out of doors, which is when danger from frost is past; when the plants have four leaves trans- 
plant into shallow boxes or cold-frames, setting them four or five inches apart; give plenty of air and endeavor to secure & 
vigorous but steady and healthy growth, so that at the time of setting in the open ground they will be strong and stocky. 
Even a slight check while the plants are small will materially diminish their productiveness. 
Set out of doors as soon as danger from frost is over, but before doing so harden off the plants by gradually exposing 
| them to the night air and by the withdrawal of water until the wood becomes hard and the leaves thick and of a dark green 
color. Transplant carefully and cultivate well as long as the vines will permit. If to be grown without training, the plants 
are usually set from three to four feet apart each way according to the vigor of growth of the variety. 
To insure best results in respect to early ripening as well as the amount and perfection of fruit, it is advisable to 
train up and trim the vines, especially if the patch is rather small. When the plants have been properly started and are six to 
ten inches high they will begin to throw out branches. Select the largest and most vigorous of these and pinch off all others 
except this one and the main stem. Care must be exercised not to pinch off the fruiting branches which, as they appear, 
ean be distinguished by the buds that are formed very early. In a short time these two remaining branches will become 
equally vigorous and as ordinary varieties will grow four to six feet high during the season, they should be securely tied at 
anservals of about teninches to a long stake, preferably two inches square, which has been securely set in near the root of 
the vine. 
Fruit will set to almost any height desired if all side branches are kept trimmed off at intervals of a week. By such a 
method of training and trimming the fruits are kept clear from the ground and with free access of sunlight they ripen 
much earlier; the vitality, otherwise exhausted in superfluous branches and leaves, is utilized in forming fruits of 
largest size, greatest perfection of shape and best 
quality. For further cultural directions see books 
listed on inside of back cover. 
All our Tomato seeds are from seed stocks care- 
fully selected and saved by ourselves. We challenge 
comparison of our stocks with any offered. 
5 Our strain of this first early sort isearlier 
Earliana and decidedly superior to much that is 
sold as Sparks’ Earliana, and the extreme earliness 
of its large, smooth fruits makes it a very profitable 
tomato for market gardeners, as well as desirable for 
the home garden. The vines are small but vigorous 
and productive. The fruits are bright deep scarlet, 
medium to large, nearly round and exceptionally 
smooth for so early a variety. The fruits are borne 
in clusters near the base of the plant and the bulk 
of the crop ripens very early. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 50c; 
2 Oz. 85c; 4 Lb. $1.40; Lb. $5.00 
A This new extra early scarlet fruited 
von Early variety is the result of several years 
of careful selection at our Oakview Stock Seed Farm. 
The fruits are large for so early a variety, round or 
slightly flattened, deep scarlet red color, smooth, free 
from cracks and of fine quality. It produces ripe 
fruit as early as Earliana and continues to yield 
marketable fruit for a longer period than the other 
first early varieties. The vines are vigorous and very 
productive. We consider this a valuable addition to 
the list of early tomatoes for the market or home 
garden. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 50c; 2 Oz. 85c; 14 Lb. $1.40; 
Lb. $5.00 
J h B An extra early scarlet fruited variety‘ 
Onn Baer of superior merit. The vines are very 
hardy and exceptionally productive. The fruits are 
the largest of the extra early sorts and are alsomost 
attractive in color. They are nearly round, smooth, 
firm and of excellent quality. It is one of the very 
earliest to ripen its first fruits and it continues to 
furnish marketable fruits much longer than other 
very early varieties. It is an invaluable sort for insti 
market gardeners, shippers and canners. Pkt. 10c; Gutr State Market 
Oz. 40c; 2 Oz. 75c; 14 Lb. $1.10; Lb. $4.00 
The fruits of this desirable early sort are most attractive in shape and color. The crop ripens more uniforml 
Bonny Best than any other early scarlet fruited sort, and is of superior solidity and interior colors The vines are Tieorote 
and produce a good crop of exceptionally round and deep fruits, bright deep scarlet in color and of very good quality. One of 
the best for gardeners whose trade demands fruits of beautiful shape and color. A very good variety for the early market and 
home garden. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 40c; 2 Oz. 75c; % Lb. $1.10; Lb.$ 3.75 
9 One of the very best early tomatoes yet introduced. The vines are vigorous and ver TO. 
Chalk Ss Early J ewel ductive. The fruits are bright deep scarlet-red, nearly round or Ginehat flattened, aonties of 
large size and most excellent quality. They ripen very early and the pickings continue through a long season. One of the 
very best second early scarlet fruited sorts and on account of its large size, excellent quality and productiveness, one of the 
most satisfactory sorts for the home garden. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 40c; 2 Oz. 75c; 4% Lb. $1.10; Lb. $4.00 
’ ° A distinct second early variety. The vines are about three feet tall, being intermediate in height 
Cooper Ss Special between the dwarf and the tall growing sorts. The vines are sturdy and LASTS growing and produce 
good sized clusters of fruits of attractive shape and color. The fruits are of medium size, globe shaped, light purplish pink 
color, solid and meaty and of excellent flavor. Because of its compact habit of plant, desirable shape of fruits and excellent 
shipping qualities, this variety has proven a valuable one for the southern shipper and market grower. For the home garden 
it should prove equally valuable because of its superior yielding qualities over the strictly dwarf varieties and its compactness 
\compared with the tall growing sorts. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 50c; 2 Oz. 85c; 4 Lb. $1.40; Lb. $5.00 
Although this variety was developed primarily to meet the demands of tomato growers who shi 
Gulf State Market to distant markets, its many excellent qualities make it also a very desirable Bont for the pons 
gardener or the grower for local markets. Fruits medium to large, round or globe shaped, show but little depression about 
stem and are smooth and free from cracks. Color deep purplish pink ripening well about the stem. The skin is firm and the 
flesh solid. Unsurpassed by any as a shipping variety and one of the most desirable home or market garden sorts. Pkt. 
10c; Oz. 50c; 2. Oz. 85c; % Lb. $1.40; Lb. $5.00 
