D. M. FERRY & CO., DETROIT, MICH. 



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 live inches apart; give plenty or air and endeavor to secure a 

 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, 

 can 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 

 intervals of about ten inches 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 carefully selected and saved by ourselves. We challenge comparison of our 

 stocks with any offered. 



|-i | . Our strain of this first early sort is earlier and decidedly superior to much that is sold as Sparks' Earliana, and the 



Harliana 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; Vi Lb. $1.40; Lb. $5.00 



» U 1 This new extra early scarlet fruited variety is the result of several years of careful selection at our Oakview 



AVOn tarly 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; Vi Lb. $1.40; 



Lb. $5.00 



| l o An extra early scarlet fruited variety of superior merit. The vines are very hardy.and exceptionally productive. 



John Baer The fruits are the largest of the extra early sorts and are also most 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 market gardeners, shippers and 



canners. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 40c; 2 Oz. 75c; Vi Lb. $1.10; Lb. $4.00 



n d «, The fruits of this desirable early sort 



uOnny tSeSt are most attractive in shape and color. 

 The crop ripens more uniformly than any other early 

 scarlet fruited sort, and is of superior solidity and interi- 

 or color. The vines are vigorous 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 beauti- 

 ful shape and color. A very good variety for the early 

 market and home garden. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 40c; 2 Oz. 75c; 

 Vi Lb. $1.10; Lb. $3.75 



/"•L. II ' C 1 I 1 One of the very best 



Chalks Carly Jewel early tomatoes yet intro- 

 duced. The vines are vigorous and very productive. 



The fruits are bright deep scarlet-red, nearly round or 



somewhat flattened, smooth, of large size and most 



excellent quality. They ripen very early and the pick. 



ings 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; Vi Lb. $1.10; Lb. $4.00 



**, > C • 1 A. distinct second early variety. 



l^OOper S Special The vines are about three feet 



tall, being intermediate in height between the dwarf and 



the tall growing sorts. The vines are sturdy and vigorous 



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; 



Vi Lb. $1.40; Lb. $5.00 



Although this variety was 



developed primarily to meet 

 the demands of tomato growers who ship to distant 

 markets, its many excellent qualities make it also a very 

 desirable sort for the home 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. IOcj Oz, 50c; 2. Oz, 85c; % Lb. $1,40; Arranging One of the Weekly Pickings of our Tomato Trials 



Lb. $5.00 for Inspection and Weighing 



Gulf State Market 



