Sepremper 1, 1905 
mer crop. At such seasons tomatoes have 
proved more profitable than cither lettuce or 
‘cucumbers during the same period. 
The price received for tomatoes grown in the 
greenhouse has usually been considerably higher 
than the price paid for southern tomatoes in 
market at the same time, the quality being 
better when allowed to ripen in the greenhouse 
than when the tomatoes were shipped in a green 
state from the South. Tomatoes at the station 
are usually grown on raised benches with about 
‘6 in. of soil, since they have been found to 
mature earlier there than in solid beds. The 
average yield np to 1903 has been at the rate of 
‘2 Ibs. 4 ozs. per square foot, or 9 lbs. of fruit to 
a plant. The plants have usually been grown 
2 ft. apart each, way. ‘The price has varied from 
‘5 to 20 cts. per pound. In 1904 the first picking 
was secured June 10, and up to August 1 the 
value of the fruit had averaged 20 cts. persquare 
foot. 
-An experiment was made in sub-irrigation v. 
‘surface-watering tomatoes in the greenhouse. 
In the.experiment the yield of fruit per square’ 
foot in the sub-irrigated: beds was 2,]bs 44 oz. 
‘The fruit had an average size of 59 oz., and the 
amount of rot per square foot was 1.9 oz. In 
the surface-watered bed the yield of fruit per 
square foot was } Ib. 15 0z, the average size of 
the fruit 5 oz, and the amount of rot 47 oz. per 
square foot. No mulch was uscd in either case 
Partioular attention was given to supplying the 
amount of water needed for the best develop- 
arent of the plants in each case. More water and 
more time was requirad to surface-water than to 
subirrigate. The authors _st.te that “mulching 
with strawy manure accomplishes the same re- 
sults as subirrigation. It is more beneficial, how- 
ever, with surface than with sub-watering.” 
Two experiments are recorded in testing 
different methods of training tomatoes in the 
greenhouse. In the first experiment some of the 
plants were set a foot apart each way and trained 
to 1 stem, Others were planted 14 ft aparteach 
way and trained, some to 1 and some to 2 stems. 
The largest yield per square foot of space was 
obtained by settingg plants 1 ft apart each way 
and training tol stem. The fiuit thus grown 
however, was about an ounce lighter, on the 
average, than where the plants were set at a- 
greater distance. The plantssct 14 ft apart and 
trained to 2 stems stood second in yield. The 
lowest yield and the largest amount of rot 
occurred where the plants were set 2 feet apart 
each way and trained to 2 stems. 
The experiment was repeated, using a much 
greater amcunt of space, and the 2 varieties of 
tomatoes, Stone and Beauty, were grown. The 
yield of fruit on different dates and the total 
yield are tabulated. The results were not quite 
unifoim with the two varieties. ‘‘The thick 
planting gave the best yield with the Stone, but 
the result was less marked with Beauty, Each 
variety showed a marked advantage for the 
thick planting over the thin, so far as early 
maturing is concerned,” 
This is a point of considerable importance, 
since the best prices were secured with the 
fruit early in the season. Considering the 
matter from this standpoint, the close planting 
is a decided advantage in both varieties, 
the Stone variety particularly, the early ripen- 
ing was not only marked, but the total yield 
was much in favor of thick planting. 
A test of 38 varieties of tomatoes was made 
during the season, and the date as to early and 
total yield and average size are recorded for 
each variety. Brief descriptsons are also given 
for all but 5 of the varieties. The fruit of 12 
varieties is illustrated, ‘ 
The bulletin contains directions, based upon 
. 
With - 
THE AUSTRALIAN GARDENER, 9 
tomatoes in the greenhouse, on the insects and 
diseases affi cting them, on methods of marketing . 
and on varieties. It has been found desirable to 
sow the seeds in flats about the first of Decem- 
ber. Where he time is limited, the plants are 
transplanted from the flats into 2}-in. pots, and 
later into 4-in. pots, where they remain until 
ready to be planted in the beds. With proper 
care they should be ready for budding by the 
middle of March. 
Coarse wool twine has been found most 
satisfactory as a support on which to train the 
vines, and raflia the most satisfactory tying 
material. The severe pruning which it is neces 
sary to give tumatoes in the greenhouse some- 
times causes the fruit spurs to send out suckers. 
These should be removed. The white fly has 
been the most serious insect pest with which 
the authors have to contend in this work, and 
the Teaf blight (Cladosporium fulvum) the most 
xerious disease This disease has been controlled 
when Bordeaux was used early in the work. In 
marketing, the fruit is carefully graded and sold 
in 5 lb. baskets. — 
Vegetable Garden. 
Oo: 
OPERATIONS KOR SEPTEMBER 
September is a busy month in this depart- 
ment, because the weeds, as well as the crops, 
grow rapidly and require constant attention. 
Weeds should be attended to in the springing 
stage, as they are easily destroyed. Seed rows 
of carrots, beet and parsnips should be carefully 
thinned, the first named to 2 in apart, the other 
two to 5 inches apart. 
Asparagus 
. beds should be mado ready for planting; the 
excavations should be 18 inches deep and re- 
filled with soil and manure in- equal parts, 
mixed together. As these beds continue bearing 
for 50 years or more the work is important. 
Presuming the beds to be already prepared, 
namely, well manured and left open to a depth 
of 6 inches, the roots should be spread out in 
rows 16 inches apart and 12 inches from plant 
to plant. They are then covered with a mix- 
ture of decayed mannre and soil in equal parts, 
the excavation being filled up to the general 
level. Hvery preparation should by this time 
be made for sowing and planting summer crops. 
The best operation is to set apart a plot of 
ground, heavily manured and trenched to not 
less than 18 inches deep. Not nearly so much 
water is required for deep ground, neither do 
the plants feel so much the effects of the heat. 
Rhubarb, &e. 
Rhubarb, seakale and globe artichokes should 
be planted early in the month. They are placed 
_inbeds or rows in deeply trenched or heavily 
manured ground. If in beds, they should be 
planted 3 ft. apart each way, so that there may 
be ample room to dig between them. 
Cabbage, 
Main lots of early summer cabbage, mostly 
flat varieties, should be planted, and another 
‘batch planted to provide midsummer and 
the experiments .at the slation, for the care of ~ : 
autumn supplies. 
Frames. 
Make up frames to raise summer vegetables, 
as capsicums, tomatoes, marrows, and melons. 
Sown this month plants wlll be ready for plant- 
ing in October. They should be raised in 
frames set upon heaps of fresh long stable 
manure, which provides just sufficient heat to 
bring them forward. 
a Te LRT TEE LIST i EE 
The well-known firm, E. and W. Hackett, 
73 Rundle stret, announce by advertisement 
that they are selling sced of zinnia elegans and 
robusta permitsima in 6d and 1s packets. 
Tf Mr John Sheridan had not taken to the 
stage he. would have been a floriculturalist,. 
judging by the floral decorations on the stage 
In the musical burlesque “The Harl and the 
Girl” the display of roses is most lavish in the- 
gcene in the second act, and the garlands of 
flowers used by the singers and dancers is a 
lesson well worth the attention of those who 
are fond of utilising flowers for artistic display. 
Mr Sheridan has spared no expense in this. 
respect, and he is weil satisfled with his reward, 
the hearty appreciation of the crowded audiences 
which nightly greet the musical production, 
‘The Earl and he Girl.” 
W.H. COATS & SON, 
Fruitsrowers 
And: Wholesale Exporters 
East Hnd Market... .Adelaide. 
EXPORTERS and Importers of Fresh Fruits 
Agen ts for Renmark Fruits 
And Dried Fruits 
Also for Terry’s Jams and Preserves. 
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables 
packed and forwarded to all 
parts of the State at lowest 
rates from our own gardens at 
Tronbank. 
ee. WALTERS &CO., 
Flinders St., 
East of Hutt Street, Adelaide 
\ 
Box, Trunk. . 
Packing Case | 
All kinds of... 
Packing, Piano, Furniture, Zinc-Lined Cases 
On hand or made to order. 
Makers | 
Every description of Fruit Boxes in Shooks 
or made up forwarded to any put of the 
State. 
Apple Wrapper Paper in quantities to suit 
purchasers, 
Kemember the address—Flinders-street, 
EAST vF HUIT S'T, 
Telephone 690. : 
SMITH & MENZEL 
Aldgate, South Australia, 
Specialty Growers. 
We grow three or four specialties in very large— 
quantities for mail orders, and these lines carry 
to any part of Australia safely by post. 
’ : SMITH & MENZEL, 
