The Panola weekly star., 1886-04-03
TOMATO CULTURE.
How to Produce Large aud Mesty Fruit
A Word About Cucumbsr..


II seems strange that so many people
who are partially fond Of tomatoes will
continue 10 raise the old worn-out va
rieties, with corrugat d surface. con-
tanning little or no solid meat and full Of
seeds and hollow spaces inside. when
the improved varieties can be raised
that will give so much better satisfac.
ton as well "a profit TO the producer.
Our tomato patch for the pas, few years
has been more profitable than any other
portion Of the garden, and II certainly
Is apleasure to gather the big, smooth.
meaty fruit of the vine and prepare Il
for the market. We gathered hundreds
OF tomatoes i,om our vines the past
year that weighed from pound TO
pound and half apiece. and the best
OF u was the fine flavor and produc-
tiyeness Of this fruit marked Il rs su.
perior variety. Its excellence In part
may have been attributed TO our mode
Of culture that differs somewhat from
the general course pursued by most
gar cncr. and especially those who
think the truck patch" Is the least
profitable portion Of the farm.
The first step in tomato culture Is TO
see that the seed is properly planted in
soil prepared 10 give the young plants a
healthful growth, rendering them very
stocky and vigorous. II by good luck
You are fortunate enough to possess a
"hot-bcd, the plant-raising Is work
OF far less care than when dependent
upon the culture within doors. II the
,atter method Is 10 BE- followed, I'LL the
molds with the following compost: First
put freshly dropped horse manure In
bottom of molds, cover with mixture
II rich soil. such a. Is found In hollow
stumps or under barns; mix with one
third part OF river sand. Bake slightly
80 as 10 Kill insects When the molds
are filled and leveled nicely. put in the
tomato sccd-not ihickly, but one seed
In place, so there will be no need 10
transplant, giving every plant that may
come up plenty OF room to grow and
thrive. 20 when Il comes time 10 set them
In the truck patch they will have yitali-
" enough 10 survive the change and
grow right along.
When the plants are ready for setting,
into each hill tablespoonful OF phos-
phaie !. thoroughly mixed with the
earth belosc. cover with dirt, so the roots
Of the plant viii not como In contact
with the phosphate. then set the plants,
cover with leaves for n day or two. or
until the leaves get acclimatcd. then un-
cover, and u the work of transplanting
has been well done and no frost inter-
feres 10 cut OF the plants prcmaiurcly,
the coming crop Of tomatoes may DO
secured In good Time. and II good seed
has been selected the crop will be one
10 give ample satisfaction.
Cucumber culture seems TO be one Of
the lost arts, NJ least there are very few
successful growers Of this vine. Time
was when the cucumber vine was one
Of the most fourishing and prolific
growers to be found In the list Of rum
ners. That time was when the soil was
better adapted to its growth. by being
naturally or artificially made rich, 80
that morc moisture was held In reserve
for the use Of the plant. The good man
says that In his bo,hood days his father
used 20 have = eartfui Of manure drawn
10 the garden and dumped on the
ground where his cucumber seed was 10
Be planted In the coming spring time.
The work of drawing manure was per-
formed In the fall. By this method q
plentiful crop of cucumbers was always
secured. Why not follow the same
course nowsdsysP Another way was 20
sink barrel In the earth. about half
way. removing both heads and filling Il
with manure. pouring over il plenti-
ful supply Of water from time 20 time.
Plant the cucumber seeds on al sides Of
tho barrel. keeping the manure In the
barrel sell Nalefed during the time Of
their bearing. II either way win seeu.e
plentiful and early crop oi this much
desired vegetable i would be veil worth
! trial. and pay good prof y We pc
1ossr. On W5s Fsrrlv. =