Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-05-04
Tomatoes.

Tomatoes can be raised at twenty-five
cents per bushel and yield larger and
more certain profit than raising wheat;
provided, of course, that you can market
them. They are easily raised and do not
require an extra rich soil, and by mulch
ing before dry weather sets in they re-
quire but little cultivation and are a GER
tain crop in some portions of this country.
There are a number of good varieties.
Livingston Perfection / consider the best,
although the Fayorite, Rochester and
Trophy are all good varieties. The general
plan is to SOW the seed in plant bed first.
This should be prepared by blowing or
spading deep and then working into as
fine a condition as possible with rake.
Many gardeners SOW the seed broadcast
and rake in, but L prefer to sow in drills
nine inches apart. Mark off the rows
about one inch deep and then sow the
seed. Do not SOW too thick. You want
good stocky plants, and when planted too
thick the plants grow too spindling. Wait
until the plants have made good growth;
they should be at least six or eight inches
high; they will grow much better and
faster if allowed to stand in the seed bed
until they have made good growth.
The land shOuld be well plowed and
then narrowed fine. Get the soil in line
condition and as level as possible. Mark
off the rows four feet apart and then set
out the plants at least two feet apart. 1
prefer to have the rows run east and west,
so as to have the plants receive the largest
amount of sunshine.
In setting out the plants, prepare pan
of light mellow soil and mix with water
until about the consistency of cream. L
prefer to set out the plants late in the
evening. Pull up the plants and dip the
roots into the mud, stirring around so as
to get as much of the mud as possible to
adhere to the plants, and be careful not
to get any of the mud upon the foliage. l
use Il sharPened stick nude of hard wood
with a cross piece on top for handle, one
and a half inches in diameter being about
the right size. Make a hole with this stick
deep enough to receive the plant, insert
the plant, set deep and then take pains to
press the soil firmly against the roots.
More plants are lost by a failure to dOthis
properly than from any other cause. If
this plan is carefully followed, 90 per cent.
Will grow without any further attention
III the weather is very warm and the soil
dry, a watering the next evening will be
beneficial. Two or three civilizations
should be given SO as to keep the soil
around the roots well stirred and the weeds
down. Tomatoes require considerable
moisture and to obtain this l prefer to
mulch, applying it in May before the dry
weather sets in, so that the moisture Will
be retained. For this purpose half rotted
straw is excellent; after this 1 prefer for
est leaves. If you have sufficient guam
tity Of material mulch between the rows
and around the stems; but if not, then
apply around the base of the plants. 1t
should be heavy enough so that it will not
dry out too readily. Where no mulching
material can be procured, then the same
results can be obtained by setting a can
an old fruit can with a small hole in the
bottom kept filled with water will answer.
| prefer to drive a good stout stake by
as it grows, two strings being all that is
necessary. Keep the running shoots
pinched off; pull the fruit as fast as it
ripens. If the mulching is applied all
over the ground no other cultivation is
necessary, otherwise the weeds must be
kept down.-N. j. Shepherd, in Farmer