CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
4G3 
is a limited area of land available for this crop, is to 
plant about 2x4 feet apart, drive a strong stake at each 
plant, and tie up all vines without any pruning. This 
plan results in a much larger yield to the acre than if this 
extra work were not done, but the added expense is a 
very objectionable feature. Some growers prefer to 
prune the plants but leave 2 or 3 main stems rather than 
one. Various forms of trellises or supports are often 
used in home gardens. 
656. Harvesting. — The proper time of harvesting de- 
pends upon various factors, as distance from market, 
character of the weather and danger of frosts. In the 
far South, tomatoes are usually picked as soon as they 
show the slightest change in color. This always results 
in a sacrifice of quality, because the best flavor is de- 
veloped when the fruits are permitted to remain on the 
vine until fully ripe. Even for local markets it is cus- 
tomary to pick the tomatoes before fully ripe, and this 
is generally necessary in order to have the fruit reach 
the consumer in solid condition. Tomatoes lose their firm- 
ness very rapidly in warm weather, so that it is especially 
important to guard against this trouble in handling the 
midsummer crop. When there is danger of destructive 
autumn frosts the only safe policy is to pick every speci- 
men that shows any change in color. The fruits will 
continue to ripen in any convenient outbuilding or in the 
cellar. They also ripen rapidly under hotbed sash or in 
the greenhouse. Tomatoes should always be handled 
with the greatest care to avoid bruising. 
657. Marketing. — The utmost care should be exercised 
in preparation for market if highest prices are to be 
realized. The tomatoes should be cleaned, stems re- 
moved and then carefully graded. Packages in great 
variety are used in handling this crop. The bushel bas- 
ket is used in Michigan (Figure 46) ; bushel box at Bos- 
ton; baskets of various forms and sizes; crates as rep- 
