Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-04-17
FARM AND FIREsIDE,
The Tomato.
CHARLES u. DECKNER.

TOMATO, nISt III IHc Stste VI '0S"H0'"
and for twelve years past on market
garden near this thriving city. Con-
sidered either as fruit for the table, or
as product for market, it is worthy OF
high esteem. 1t is healthful in its effects
and as agreeable to the palate as it is
inviting to the eye. As a relish, 1t is
at the breakfast table the peer OF that
delight of the epicure, the cantaioupe.
Served fresh from the vine, it 10 pala-
table and wholesome, while it may be
served as a cooked dish in half dozen
different styles. In the vegetable sea-
son. no table is complete without it, and
no canned fruit is more acceptable in
winter. Add to the good qualities
already mentioned. the immense yield
of the Tomato, and it is not surprising
that the subject of its culture is receiv-
ing 40 much attention.
The time for planting varies with the
climate. The March season Of Georgia
is the April 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 NAV be sown in beds, or if-as
the case with the great majority OF
families-no hot.hedis 90 the premises,
then in small boxes which should be
placed on the window sill IN some room
which il kept warm. This will fRrnish
plants which, properly cared for, will
be about ready to begin bearing by the
time the sunny days Of spring have
arrived, when they can be transplanted
into the garden. One paper OF seed
will be sufficient to supply an ordinary
family. Twenty-Five Tomato vines.
properly cultivated will supply an
average clearinghouse for season.
1t is best to transplant from the boxes
or hot.beds when the plants are tw"
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
fower-pots may be used, one plant
being set in each pot. The expense is
nothing. and the enhanced earliness of
the crop Of fruit secured, will conpen-
safe handsomely the care required. In
the hot-beds, if considerable growth has
been obtained before it is warm enough
to transplant into open air, additional
space should separate them: say eight
inches. Transplantlng 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 blossom appear. l
have prcfted by keeping them thus pro-
tected until frst 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 per-
nit and only replaced when the nights
are cold, or the weather cold and wet.
In severe weather additional protection
should be afforded by covering the glass
with boards. cloth, straw or hay. The
great point Of success in cultivatiIg the
Tomato Is in keeping it from the effects
Of frost and cold, wet weather.
The soil best suited for the Tomato
is dark, warm, sandy loan. If it is
rich from having been fertilized the pre-.
viOus year, light application Of ashes
or guano will stimulate quick growth.
If the land is poor, apply rotten stable
manure hayily.
Having been properly prepared, the
land to be planted should be laid off in
squares, four BY four or four by six feet.
| prefer the latter dimentlons. At the
corners of the squares. or where the
lines mtersect, dig out hole sufficiently
large to admit the plant with the soil
clinglng to root. From their winter res.
licences transplant the vines into these
holes; rake the surrounding soil and
compress it firmly about them with the
foet. and they are established in their
summer quarters.
The space between the rows, six feet
apart, may be planted with some vsge-
table of short duration, such as peas.
beans, radish, lettuce, etc. 1t is neces-
cary that the vines, when well started
to growing, should be tied up to stakes.
some three feet high, as when allowed
to fall upon the ground. any in part COB.
tact with the soil will take root. thus di.
minshing productiveness.
To secure wel-favOred Tomato, the
fruit should be accomplished by chipping
the extremities of the branches. If al
lowed to grew very long, the vines shed
their lower leaves leaving the lower
fruit exposed. The clipping invigorates
the vine and produces heavier frmtage
as well as fuller foliage to protect the
fruit.
VARIETIES.
My experience has proven the
Trophy superior to all other varieties
for combination Of the qualities desira-
bic for family use. 1t is large, smooth
and well favored. Ifthere is an obiey-
ton to be urged against il, it is that it
does not ripen SO well at the stem as
some others. But when size is not
sought aI,er, and earliness Of maturity
10 the chlsf desideratum, Hathaway's
Excelcior is the most desirable variety.
1t is mcdiam-sized, smooth, red To-
msto, Ofexcelent flavor, aud ripens fully
week earlier than any other. Nextin
eariiness, land it is a good Tomato toO),