The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-07-28
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AGn;HJhTunAL,
l,uE Field CuLrun# ~ ToMAToEs.-in
order to make the .,r,wing OF tomatoes tor
market profitable, it is Of thc first lmpor-
tance to have them carly. When any veg
etable is in brisk demand, it is a pleasure
to- sell it.. but, when ther" is n glut end we
have almost to beg the grocer tc take 1t Oil
our hands at his own price, it is vexation
of spirit This is emphatically trne Of to-
r.atoes. When Shey first arrive in market,
the grocer will run after you and fairly beg
for them at from IS tt' :S q bushel, whereas
in a months time, you will have to beg him
TO take them at from 25 to SO cents a BUSH
cl. In fact. have seen quantities lett on
the ground to rot simply because there was
no market for them at any price. Indeed.
there is no vegetable that varies SO much
in price. II, then, one cannot grow or pur-
chase plants So &to have them early, he
had better use his grounds for potatoes or
corn.
|, About the lst OF March SOW the seeds
thickly in II hot-hcd "I' box in the house.
About the middle cf April transplant into
the frames from wtsch have removed my
early cabbage and ilsstuce:asI put them
about six inches apaftt each way, which VIII VIII
give p p..nts 70 %asx6 'sdsh.' Its highly
necessary that we have the plants strong
and stoekys.~f usn mo bottom heat, as this
would make tho plants too sPlndling. On
all sunshiny daysstrip the sashes clean otf'
replacing them at night, until about the
middle of May, when they should be left of
entirely. In raising any plants we are apt
to force them too much. I have seen more
plants destroyed byHa hot sun On the glass
suddenly raising the temperature OF the
confined air than have seen destroyed by
cold. Besides, If plants are forced so much.
after they arc transferred to the open
.rro,,nd. it takes them nearly two weeks to
recover,
ANY soil suitable for good crop Of corn,
is rich enough for tomatoes. II the soil IS
verv rich, we ore apt to havea large crop OF
vines with very little fruit, and that will be
late. It is better to choose warm expos
ure, and probably graveily soil will lie as
good as any, though for most vegetables l
would not Use It. Thoroughly plow and
harrow the ground, and furrow out at p
feet apart each way. In each intersection
drop shovclfulf of rotted manure. Don't
throw away your money on commercial fer
tilizers. Cover the manure with hoe.
About the first Of June carefully take up
your pants with as much earth adherlng
as possible, and with the hand make hole
in every other hill in every other row and
set the plant in it. 1t is better to select
rainy day for this work. In the remaining
hills I set cab''a; &c plant, or plant an
early potato or. q few h"sh beans.
IF the soil is suitable and the market
will take them, We Gun SOW o dozen radlsh
seed in each hill. Know that tomatoes are
generally raised by themselves, but l can
raise three-quartcrs Of 4 crop Of bush beans,
cabbage, or potatoes with no more cultlva-
ton than the tomatoes require alcne, or
they will he out Of the way by the time the
tomatoes cover the ground. The cultiva-
ton can now lie done almost entirely by the
plow, with the exception Of hocing once or
twice directly around the plants. Discard
all trellis as worse than useless, as the fruit
ripcns better iyin; directly upon the ground.
Besides. the plants will continue in bearing
longer. as the Joints will take root. If the
fruit becomes dirty, wipe it of with damp
cloth This will be found cheaper than
erecting trcllis. In ::tct, all labor spent in
making vegetables appear well pays better
than the labor spent in growing them.
The best variety for market, when we
consider earliness, productivcness, and
quality, . 5hc Gran n1elicll. It's avariety
that l have never seen pcIfed, but this in
no way detract5 from its merits. For mar
| ket we want a tomato Of medium size, early,
solid, and productive. The Orangefeld
| fills the bill. ]. am inclined to think well
Of the Canada T'ictcr after oce seasons
trial, for although 1t is not as productive
as the Orangefell the bulk Of the crop rip
ems sooner, although specimens Of the
Orangefcld r;pens just as soon. For home
use the Trophy is superior; for quality it
is unexcelled, smooth, and solid. 1t is too
large for market, as the grocer, cannot well
measure it out by the quart. Besides, it
has a bad fault Of crock;ng. Compared to
these three varieties l know no other worth
growing. In conclusion 1 would say that
when we consider the number of sashes and
labor required in growing the plants and
the perishable guilty Of the vegetable, I
do not consider son,atoes very profitable
crop.
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