The tomato is a universally favorite vegetable and no other 
fruit carries greater health bearing elements. No matter how 
small the garden, it should contain at least a few plants so that 
the family can have a fresh supply during a long season. The 
fresh fruits sliced or used in leafy salads add zest to the meal. 
There is no better appetizer than tomato juice. 
OUR TOMATO SEED 
Our tomato seed certainly must have ‘‘something on the ball’ 
because sales are so heavy in the larger tomato shipping districts. 
With probably no other vegetable is the value of high altitude 
growing of the seed and the natural selection for earliness and 
hardiness so well demonstrated. The soil, sunshine and _ irriga- 
tion water supply the elements needed to develop seed of strong 
vitality. Seed being the plant in embryo transfers this increased 
vitality on to the growing plants and results in larger yields of 
high quality tomatoes. Our seed crops are grown from select 
stock seed saved from individual plants.. 
HOW TO GROW TOMATOES 
Many commercial growers now drill tomato seed in the field at 
the rate of % to % pound per acre. Depth of planting about 
% to % inch. This method is practiced here in the Rocky Ford 
district and in the southern states. Loss in earliness is very little. 
Plants are thinned to distances and rows spaced as indicated for 
transplanted plants. 
Western Yellows Blight is usually reduced by growing direct 
from seed in the field rather than transplanting. 
One ounce of seed will produce 2000 to 3000 plants. % oz. will 
plant 100 ft. of row seeded direct. The seed may be treated with 
Arasan or Semesan (see page 73) for disinfecting. It is good 
practice to sprinkle top of soil lightly with a solution of copper, 
after the seed is sown. Seed may be planted in the hotbed or in 
flats in the greenhouse about six weeks before transplanting to 
the field. Sufficient plants for a small garden can be started by 
sowing in a shallow box; see (D) page 94. When the seedlings 
reach the height of about one inch they may be transplanted 
into a larger box, hotbed or cold frame and spaced about 4 inches 
apart. 
Blocking will, cause the. roots to branch and hold the ‘soil 
together so plants can be moved without disturbing roots. Plants 
should be at least 4 in. apart both ways allowing the soil to be 
cut with a knife between the plants. About 10 days before setting 
out, the first cut is made midway between the plants in one 
direction only. Three days later cut the other direction to divide 
soil into squares or blocks. Water heavily after each cutting to 
prevent severe wilting. 
PLANTING IN HOTBEDS 
Be sure to read the information given on pages 6 and 7 con- 
cerning hotbeds; soils, watering, planting and heating. 
Arasan and semesan for treating seed — Page 73. 
TRANSPLANTING 
Varieties with small vines may be set four feet by four feet 
which will require 2,723 plants per acre. 1,743 plants are required 
if spaced 5 feet by 5 feet, this much room or more being required 
by the large vining sorts. If checked in squares, plants may be 
cultivated both ways. In transplanting the main points to be 
regarded are: care in taking up the plants to avoid injury to the 
roots. Setting out as soon as possible to prevent the air coming 
in contact with the roots, setting out firmly to prevent the hot 
sun from withering and blighting the leaves. Before setting out, 
harden the plants by letting them get quite dry a day or two 
before but give them abundance of water, a few hours before 
pulling. Setting out is most apt to be successfully done just 
at evening or immediately before or during a rain. About the 
worst time is just after a rain, when the ground being wet it is 
impossible to sufficiently press it about the plants without baking 
hard. Never set a field without the use of water. Under irrigation, 
plants should be set on the edge of the furrow and immediately 
followed by water. ; 
If possible irrigate once each day for two or three days follow- 
ing. If: not under irrigation, single holes are dug, the roots in- 
serted, the earth filled in and the water poured on top to settle 
the plant. Mechanical plant setters used on large acreages auto- 
matically supply water to the roots. Water should be used freely 
and the wet surface immediately covered with dry soil about the 
plant. Set the plants deeply (about two-thirds of. the stem) and 
new roots will be thrown out from the buried portion. 
Continued following page 
Hotbed Heaters: listed page 6 
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