Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1878-05-09
THE TOMATO.

The writer has devoted considerable at
tention to the cultivation of the tomato, first
in the State of Wisconsin and for twelve
years past Oh a market garden near this
thriving city. Considered either as q fruit
tor the table, or as a product for market, 1t
is worthy e@high esteem. e is heafthtth in
its effects, and us agreeable to the palate as
it is inviting to the eye. As relish, it is at
the breakfast table the peer of that delight
OF the epicure-the cantaloupe. Served
fresh from the vine, it is palatable and
wholesome, while it may be served as a
cooked dish in half a dozen different styles.
In the vegetable season no table is complete
without it, and no canned fruit is more ac-
ceptable in winters. Add to the goodtquali-
ties already mentioned, the immense yield
of the tomato, andsit is not surprising. that
the subject of its culture is receiving SO
much attention.
HOW TO PLANT, AND WHEN.
Tie time for planting varies with the cli-1
mate. The March season of Georgia is the
Aprl Of New York State. Every section
must be governed by the usual closing of its
season of frost. Two months prior to the
last expected frost, seed may be sown in
hot beds, or if-as-is the case with the ma
ijority of families--no hot-bed is ON the
premises, then in small boxes which should
be placed on the window-sill in some room
which is kept warm. This wilE furnish.
plants which, properly cared for will be
about ready to begin bearing by the time
the sunny days of spring have arrived, and
when they can be transplanted into the gar
den. One paper of seed will be sufficient to
supply an ordinary family. Twenty-Five
tomato vines. properly cultivated, will sup
ply an average boarding house for a season.
1t is best to transplant from the boxes or
hot-beds when the plants are two inches
high, that they may have space in which to
grow. In the hot-beds, or in large boxes,
four inches should divide them each way.
In the house small flower-pots may be used,-
one plant being set in each pot. rhe ex--
pense is nothing, and the enhanced earliness
of the crop of fruit secured will compensate
handsomely the care required. In the hot
beds, if considerable growth has been OBJ
tanned before it is warm enough to trans
plant into open air, additional space should
separate them-say eight inches. Trans
planting into the garden should be delayed
until all danger of cold wet weather and
frost is past. The plants will fruit sooner if
nursed under glass until the first blossoms
appear. have protted by keeping them
thus protectedun first fruit had developed.
After the last transplanting in the hot-beds,
leaving the plants eight inches apart, they
require but little attention. The glass may
be removed when the temperature of the
| atmosphere will. permit, and only replaced
when the nights are cold, or the weather
! cold and wet. Insevere weather additional
protection shoulds be afforded by covering
the glass with boards, cloth, straw or hay.
The great point of success in cultiv;tting the
tomato is in keeping it trem the effects OF
frost and cold, ,.Wet weather.
THE SOIL
hast suited Ton the tomato is a dark, warm,
sandy loan. lfitis rich from having been
fertilized the previous year, light app]iess-
tion of ashes or gtano will stimulate Quick
growth If the land is poor, apply rotten
stable manure heavily.
Having been properly prepared" the land
to be planted should be laid off in squares,
four by ,our or four by six feet. | prefer
the latter dimensions. At the corners of the
SQUARES. or where the lines intersect, dig out
a hole sufficiently large to admit the plant
with the soil elinging to the roots. From
] thair.xinta,. residences transplant the vines