JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  .GARDENER 
149 
•August  12,  1897. 
stems  ought  to  be  early  decided  upon,  though  in  the  majority  of 
cases  the  single  stem  system  is  the  best.  Each  main  stem  requires 
a  foot  to  15  inches  space.  The  side  shoots  spring  from  the  axils  of 
the  leaves  during  the  whole  time  of  active  growth,  and  should  be 
rubbed  out  when  smalL  Until  the  plants  cease  to  grow  and  form 
fruit,  side  shoots  are  produced.  Stopping  the  leader  and  allowing 
a  fresh  one  to  form,  is  not  a  good  practice  in  my  experience.  There 
is  no  difficulty  in  securing  a  good  set  with  the  uninterrupted 
extension  of  the  original  stem.  When  the  space  is  filled,  the 
growths  must  of  course  be  stopped. 
With  planted-out  Tomatoes  receiving  good  treatment  at  the  roots, 
the  upper  growth  assumes  a  vifforous  and  healthy  character,  which 
it  may  seem  a  pity  to  check.  Under  such  circumstances,  the  sterns 
down  over  the  roots  immediately  a  number  are  found  ramifying 
near  the  surface.  Repeat  a  similar  dressing  each  time  roots  appear 
on  the  top. 
Feeding. 
Top-dressing  is  a  form  of  feeding,  but  the  term  usually  implies 
the  application  of  liquid  manure.  Strong  liquid  nourishment  is 
not  required  immediately  after  a  liberal  top-dressing  of  compost ; 
but  when  the  roots  are  working  freely  in  the  latter,  and  before 
more  is  applied,  a  few  doses  of  some  clear  liquid  manure  will  be 
of  immense  service.  The  drainings  of  general  farmyard  manure 
diluted  to  a  safe  strength  are  appreciated  by  Tomatoes.  Clear 
soot  water  is  excellent,  also  solutions  of  guano  or  any  artificial 
Fig.  21,— SOBRALTA  VEITCHI. 
being  trained  on  wires  or  upright  to  stakes,  I  have  bent  the  lower 
and  barer  parts,  and  thus  afforded  more  room.  Keep  the  plants 
well  tied  to  the  wire  or  stakes. 
Top-dressing. 
Tomatoes  in  the  early  stages  of  growth  are  best  when  not 
allowed  too  much  root  run  if  they  are  planted  out,  or  large  quanti¬ 
ties  of  soil  when  fgrown  in  pots.  They  like  sufficient  to  promote 
healthy,  vigorous  growth,  and  the  formation  of  the  first  flower 
trusses  and  bunches  of  fruit.  Top-dressing  then  comes  in  of  great 
service,  fresh  rootlets  being  formed  in  it  which  meet  the  increasing 
demands  of  the  plants.  The  additions  which  are  thus  made  may 
consist  of  rich  material.  Equal  parts  of  loam  and  manure,  with 
the  addition  of  a  little  bonemeal,  crushed  charcoal,  and  wood 
ashes,  together  with  an  admixture  of  a  general  fertiliser  at  the  rate 
of  2  lbs.  per  bushel  of  soil,  A  layer  of  this  may  be  pressed  firmly 
fertiliser  at  the  rate  recommended  by  the  vendors  prove 
serviceable. 
Liquid  manure  ought  not  to  be  applied  indiscriminately,  but 
always  with  a  full  knowledge  of  the  wants  of  the  plants.  On  no 
account  give  it  when  the  soil  is  very  dry,  because  it  cannot  have 
the  best  effect,  and  is  wasteful.  A  copious  supply  of  clear  water 
given  first  will  render  the  soil  in  a  fit  condition  for  retaining  the 
fertilising  elements  and  assisting  the  roots.  Plants  in  pots  and 
bearing  good  crops  require  constant  and  regular  attention  in  top¬ 
dressing,  feeding,  and  watering. 
Fruit  Ripening. 
The  lower  bunches  of  fruit  colour  first,  the  higher  bunches 
swelling  in  various  stages  at  the  same  time.  The  feeding  and 
watering  required  to  sustain  the  latter  frequently  causes  the  ripe 
fruits  to  crack.  This  may  be  avoided  by  picking  the  half-coloured 
