The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-04-07
The Tomato and its Culture.

Considered either as fruit for the table,
or as a product for market, the tomato is held
in, and is worthy of, high esteem. 1t seems
| to have place filled by no other relish, being
agreeable to the palate and inviting to the
eye. Add to its many other good qualities
| that Ofis immense productive capacity, and
no wonder that the subject of its culture is so
often referred to. Every section and locality
must be governed by the closing seasons of
frost, as very light frost destroys the young
and tender plants.
About eight or ten weeks previous to the
last expected frost, seed may be sown in the
hot bed, or if there is no hotbed seed may
be sown in window boxes. Early bearing of
! the plant is promoted by transpanting or
picking OUT the young plants as they come
to suitable size. 4 dozen or two of plants will
supply the wants of a large family for the
season. Only thrifty strong and healthy
plants should be planted out, and in order
TO secure this the young plants should have
have plenty of room in the seed bed orboXes,
with good rich sandy loan soil, and be kept
well watered, occasionally giving liquid ma.
nure This is also essential after planting out
in garden soil up TO the time of maturity of
the fruit A dark warm, sandy loan soil made
rich through fcrtiliZing for previous crops,
suits the tomato. Some light application of
thoroughly rotted manure, ashes or guano
will stimulate quick growth, as early pro-
duction is usually very desirable If the soil
is poor manure heavily, broadcast and in the
hill, with well rotted and fine stable manure
and compost.
The land having been properly prepared, it
should be laid off in rows and hills four feet
each way. Make the hills large and the soil
mellow and fine. Dig out a hole sufficiently
large and deep to hold the roots fthe plants
with any clinging earth from its previous
ton, in the hole, while with the other pour
water to fill the hole Improperly done the
mellow soil will fill in about the roots and
hold the plant so that, if freshly taken from
its bed, 1t will not wilt even if transpanted
in hot sunshine. When the water has settled
away, fill around the plants with good fresh
soil. | prefer to train tomato plants to a
stake when, if properly cared for there will
be more and better fruit. Side shoots should
be stopped at the first blossom; your fruit is
then fully exposed to the sun, is always clean
and sweeter than if grown on plants not thus
trained. The stakes may be the same as for
beans, and, when set, as high as mans head.
Attention will be needed to tie up, and nip
the side shoots, as the plants grow, which
can be done when hoeing.
varieties are numerous, with very llttlc oil
ference in earliness, more being due to cul-
ture in this respect but there are other diff.
ferences to be considered, such as flavor, meath
ness, perfect coloring and ripening. A round,
smooth, thick meatcd fruit is to be preferred,
other things being equal The best have
tried is the Acme. Rot sometimes attacks
the tomato, its cause being largely due TO
warm, wet weather and heavy dews, especial
ly where the plants spread and lie low, or on
the ground in mass, Thin planting, pruning
and tying to stakes will obviate this difficulty
in nearly every instance SO that where the
plants are properly raised and trained from
the ground, little damage is to be appehended.
W. H. White, IN Country Gentleman,