Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1870-03-03
AQ0ICU1 YU1AI.
rAa fomato-sad III Culture,

This fruit. long known - ''the love ap-
pie" and said 70 have come from the fAr
south, has rapidly gAined fhvor wherever
grown. II 10 susceptible Of great improv-
neu., though II has generally received less
attention than most gartea vegetables.
While under careful culture they have been
long in reaching their present state. the to-
mato has been . comparatively short time
under culture, and yet nature has done -
much for 1t that IL already holds high rank
among our finest fruits ofthe garden. Many
medical men claim for Its valuable hygienic
qualities, and the human system-that most
perfect OF all laboratories-has confirmed
the decision. II is dclicately acid, cooling
and healthfnl. In hot weather our children
seize the golden " love apples" and quench
their thirst. while we all use them at our
tables.
STAGE this fruit must be brought to per-
fiction. why grow coarse, unsightly. spon-
gy, ill-navored tomatoes. when by attend
Ing to few simple. but important things,
the finest qualities may be had7
IMPORTANCE OF SAVING SEED FROM EARLY
FRCfr.
The temptation Of growers for market,
TO sell the earliest 1t large price Is SO
great, that little seed Is saved except
from those maturing later doubtless under
the impression that the seed is Just as
good But this Is great mistake. The seed
from the fruit which ripens earliest any
season will he the earliest and best the
next year. There Is no doubt that the to-
mato has been vastly improved by careful
culture land can be still fnrther) In the
desirable qualities OF esrliness. productive
ness. size. soiidty, fewness of seeds. beauty
Of form. thinness OF skin, delicacy Of favor
and richness Of COLOR
now TO IMPROVE THE FRUIT.
Our experience has told us that this is
the way TO do IL
lst. Plants should be grown In warm.
light. rich soil from the seeds OF the ear
iest ripened fruit having most. If not all
the valuable qualities mentioned.
ID. They should be grown early.
Sd. During no time Of their growth should
they suffer from want of warmth sun
shine. fresh air. and soil in proper me-
cnauical and chemical condition for their
healthy growth.
TERMINATING THE SEEDS IN A LITTLE BOX.
For family use. (and 1t Is especially with
this view we write.) the plants may be
started in q little box in a warm loom and
for field culture in hot-bed or green
house In quite a small box all the plants
any family need NAV be grown. few
plants well cared for will be worth
a great deal more than large
number ill-grown. such as we so often see
crowded To sufyocation and death in dealers
hot-beds. Such long. weakly things can
have no value. The little box need be no
more than two feet long, foot wide and q
few inches deep. covered with glass TO
counterfeit the dryncss OF the atmosphere
OF the room. Put the box in the sunshine,
keen the room warm and carefully ventila-
ted. Do not be in too great haste to ger
inmate the seeds; but once started see that
the plants get no check from want OF care.
WHEN TO SOW SEED FOR An FAIRLY CROP.
In the neighborhood OF New York, the
seed may be sown about the middle ofFed-
ruary or beginning Of March.
TRANSMITTING.
When the plants are two or three inches
high they NAV be put into small pots to be
afterwards transplanted into larger ones.
or into a hot-bed. The transplanting Of
them al least twice, or even three or
four times before putting them in
the open ground (Which should
not De done till all appearance
OF frost has gone, unless they are
protected when necessary will hasten ear
" ripening. Each time, before transplanting.
the soil should be well watered SO that a
ball Of earth may be removed with each
plant. and this is particularly desirable when
they are being put in the open ground and
thus their growth will not be checked. Dur
ing al this time let them have all the light
and fresh air that they can stand; use mild
days. but beware of cold and frost. A uni
form warm temperature Is desirable. but
not SO hot as 10 make the plants grow too
tall and sickly. II convenient, the plants.
some time before being set In the open
ground may be pu, into d cold frame. pro-
tectinS them at first as much rs may be
necessary.
1.-THE above plan be followed faithfully
you will have an abundance OF ine healthy
plants, when everybody else is securing
the country for what Is not always TO be
found-good tomato plants.
OPEN GROUND CULTURE.
Once in the open ground they will de-
light and flourish In a rather light than
heavy, and rich. but not over rich. soil, and II
on the south e, stern exposure Of hill side.
where they will be protected from the cold
winds. and enjoy the sunshine. all the bet
ter.
They should not be less than four feet
apart. Keep the soil friable. Let no weeds
grow. Hoe early and often. aud they can
not take possession OF the soil.
WHEN TO SOW SEED FOR A LATE CROP.
For late crop the seed may be sown in
the open ground in spring. When planted
ia their place, they will bear till the frost
comes, and longer II protected
PRUNING.
As the greater part OF the fruit on the to-
mato vim Is borne near the z, ound 1t will
be found that the shortening Of the Winds
will cause nutrition TO Cow to fruit instead
of making branches. Don't be afraid to cut
ont all suckers and non bearing branches
and TO shorten those that wander. The
writer knows hat the advantages Of prun-
ing are questioned by some, but he has
learned by experience, whatever may be
the rationale Of the mater, the results are
in favor Of rather severe pruning.
KEEPrSG THE FRUIT CLEAN.
The fruit may be kept clean and prevent.
ed from premature decay by spreading
brush. salt hay, or other such material IN
der the vines, or by training them. Blu,
If the soil be light and dry this will not be
necessary especially for q general crop
In garden culture. il 1t be thought best 70
train the vines, simply way is TO Sc,
poles twelve feet apart. the tops i've fee,
high. Attach wires horizontally to them,
which will firm cheap trellis for the vines,
thus exposing them to the free action OF
the sun and air. The favor Of the fruit thus
grown viii be finer than that ripened on
the ground
vAKIETIEs-THE BEST.
great deal might he said on varieties
but after having tried the most popular
ones the writer now grows Testers Per
fected Tomato" In preference to all others
Though not one Of the newest varieties
claiming attcntion-hsving been favorably
known for some years-but Is many mix
ed and spurious seeds have been grown snd