The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-03-15
FARM AND HOUSEHOLD.
Early Tomato Plants.


Those who desire only few plants with
ont wishing to incur the labor and expense
of preparing hot bed, should select boxes
for the purpose. into which place light loan
or wood mould. Sow the seed in March,
and when six inches high either thin
them out or transplant them to other boxes,
in order TO get room. 1t is not generally
known. however, that tomatoes will some
times grow from cuttings, and that large
sized plant viii thus produce several smaller
ones. They will grow we'll from cuttings
when once rooted but such course IS not
safe in inexperienced hands. Probably the
b,st wsy to rrocure plants early rs TO save
all the fruit cans air1 ent of their tops. IRE
pare the loam that = 70 be placed in them
by rendering it very fine and light Lee IL
he rich. lat If manure is used IL must be
fine and we'll roteed If he weather is ex-
tremely. cold sore fresh manure may De
placed near the Bottom for the purpose or
generating heat. but care must be taken not
To use too much. Place The cans on
a shelf near window Whlch races
the south. anE have as covering for each
large paper lag, which should be used at
night Nowplant about one-half OF an inch
Sieep a dozen tomato seeds. gently pressing
theearth on the seeds Moisten t2em every
morning with tepid water, but do not sat
urate the earth. As soon as the plants are
an inch in height draw out very gently al
0Qt the la EeSl. NulCu waves Pi~Ne
60 each can Having the entire can to itself
the plant will have room TO grow, and will
push forward rapidly. Ii III begins to shoot
I'D faster than desired pinch of the growing
tip. This forces the plant to extend Itself
by war of It's branches and lateralS in
stead OF growing tall and slender. 1t will
become stout strong well-rOOted and
vigorous, and when sfierward placed I'm the
open. ground will be almost ready TODD its
lsty of production. II the season is late
Nand the plants very large the want OF space
in the can may prompt the growers to trans
plant them before danger of frOstis over,
but the lack OF nOurishfaent in the can may
De supplied in this manner: To every quart
of water add tablespoonful of saltpeter, a
teaspoonful of common salt, a teaspoonful
of salaratus (be sure and get the right ar
1iclel and good hea ping tablespoonful of
superphOsphate Water the plants in the
evening with this by pouring it around the
roots mot too lberally6 but not on the
plants After transplaating this fertiliZing
may be continued. as it Will cause them u
push ahead rapidly.
The above gives an easy and simple
method OF getting early plants for small
garden, and opens = way for utilizing old
fruit cans. Now, 9 word about the plant
after they are in the ground. When the
season is dry water them occasionally very
prOfusely, but not by pouring the water
around them, but BY first removing the top
earth a little, putting in the water, and
placing back the dry earth,
This prevents scalding from the hot
sun and avoids baking DO not work
them deeply. but keep the surface clean.
The best fertilizer fc- tomatoes is welLrotted
manure, but a spoonful of guanO and q
small quantity of superphosphate from time
TO time. dissolved in water, if preferred 10
the above, are valusbie assistants. On light
soils the potash faits should be used more
than where the ground is heavy. Always
keep the plants well punched back and care
fully tied to stakes.
OF the varieties the Acme is very popular,
but more subject to rot than the others
The Trophy does not ripen near the stem.
The CORaUerOr is the earliest but small
The ha'iga Excelsior is superb. IL may not
be as large as some others but it is solid,
smooth, free from disease hardy and of a
beautiful color, ripenIng down TO the stem.
The General Grant and Paragon are also
good varieties. the former very good keeper.
They must be watched for the worm, as q
single day or night is sufficient for worm
to seriously injure a vine. This worm and
the tobacco worm are Identical. On sandy
soils mulch will be very seTylceable. Al
A.ways let the tomatoes ripen on the vines in
kstead Of pulling them partially green. The
tomato Is very productive, and. like the
orange, it blossoms while the fruit is Tipen
ing, costinGing to bear right along until
frost. The vines are also able to repair
damage from loss of limbs, etc.