8o 
HINTS ON THE CULTIVATION OF TOMATO. 
French — Tomate. German— Lieuesapfel Oder Tomate. Dutch— Tomaat. 
Italian — Pomo d’Oro. Spanish — Tomate. 
Description.— A cultivated plant, the fruits of which are either gathered green for 
pickling, or ripened on the branches to be eaten raw or cooked. 
Varieties.— These are numerous. Some have yellow fruit, others scarlet, the latter being 
the most popular. In some the fruits are corrugated ; in others as smooth and round as a ball. 
a . «. „ . Sowing Seasons. — If the fruit is wanted early, the seed should be 
sown in January. If the plants arc for outdoor culture they may be 
sown up to the end of March, but the forwarder the plant is the quicker 
it will fruit when put out. 
How to Sow.— In a pan composed of three parts loam, one 
A pot OP sebdi.ings. part leaf mould, one part silver sand, and stood either on a hot bed, 
or on a shelf in a heated house. The seed should be sown thinly, and just covered. 
After Treatment.— As soon as four leaves show, pot each plant into a 6o-size pot, 
stand in a light airy place, and keep well watered. In about six weeks they should require 
potting again into a 48-size pot. From this size they may either go into 24-size pots or 
boxes for fruiting under glass, or transferred at the end of May to a warm sunny spot out 
of doors. They should be sturdy and robust, not long and lanky. 
General Culture.— Keep all superfluous growths cut away, and the fruits well out in 
the full light. The leaves can be shortened, but plenty of foliage must remain, or the health 
of the plant may be affected. 
Pests and Diseases. — There are several incidental to this crop. I hey are known as 
black spot, yellow spot, the same disease that affects the potatoes, black stripe, green and white 
fly, red spider, and eelworms. They generally arise from the use of rich soil or over feeding, a 
want of more air, unhealthy surroundings, such as a damp, humid atmosphere will produce, whilst 
an atmosphere that is too dry, or an insufficient supply of water, will induce the fly and red 
spider, and sometimes mealy bug. 
*37. *3 8 . & 97. High Hoi. born, London.— 1904. 
