3 /; 
Seeds may be sown at any time in pots or shallow pans filled with 
a light porous soil and placed in a shady position. The method to be 
followed in preparing the pots or pans is as follows.*— 
Place broken pots or crocks as they are called, to the depth of 
-one inch in the bottom of the pot or pan, cover these with some fairly 
rough materia] such as the residue of soil which is unable to pass 
through the Vff sieve, removing all pieces of wood ; take equal propor- 
tions of loam and leaf-mould and add to it some sand ; mix all well 
together, pass as much as possible through the %" sieve. Fill the 
pot or pan to of an inch from the rim, do not press the soil firmly, 
obtain a level surface using the base of another pot, or better still a 
piece of wood cut to the size and shape of the pot or pan. Water 
thoroughly and allow the soil to settle. About an hour after water- 
ing the soil will have settled sufficiently to allow the sowing of the 
seed to take place. The seed does not require a heavy covering of 
soil, a slight sprinkling being sufficient. As soon as the seedlings 
appear, remove the pans to a light, airy position and avoid heavy 
waterings, it being better to steep the pan in a bucket of water rather 
than water the tender seedlings overhead. In a few days the second 
leaf will appear and now is the time to c mr.nence thinning out or 
pricking off. An old yet trite saying aptly comes in here and that is 
sow thinly and thin quickly. 
Prick off into pans leaving about an inch between each plant and 
place in a sunny, airy spot. They may be covered with a sheet of 
glass with advantage. 
As is probably well known tomatoes may be either grown in pots 
or planted out in the open in prepared ground. It must now be 
decided what method is to be adopted. If they are to be planted out, 
then pot off singly into 3 inch pots when the seedlings are 2 inches 
in height, using a slightly coarser compost. 
If it is intended that they are to fruit in pots then I would advise 
the placing of three seedlings, equal distances apart, in a 5 or 6 inch 
pot. 
When those intended for planting out are about 6 inches to 1 foot 
in height they will require to be removed to their permanent quarters, 
the ground having been well prepared beforehand, a liberal supply of 
well-decayed cowmanure and where possible a little lime being added 
to the soil, those will require similar treatment to the ones grown in 
pots as far as regards staking, thinning, and perhaps watering. When 
the roots of those placed in 5 inch pots are appearing round the sides 
of the pots in fair numbers remove the three plants into a 10 or 12 
inch pot or even an empty kerosine tin taking care to disturb the 
roots as little as possible. A much coarser compost can be used in 
this the final potting, and also the soil can be made rather firm. 
