The record-union., 1895-05-09

y,
tings from plants which bear we'll colored
fruit in the forcing-house as rule yield
less highly-colored fruit when grown in
the field. 1t is hoped to fix the type by
careful selection. A type may be pre-
served many years by careful selection
by the grower. Varieties or strains are
said to run oup'-that is, lose their dis
tinctve characteristics. This may and
often does occur early in the life OF a
given variety, but by careful selection
the grower may avoid such a mishap.
Turning out' is not always deteriora-
ton; type may lose its distinguishing
characteristics by reason of Improvement
as we'll as from neglect or other causes
tending to deterioration.
The ideal tomato should be of medium
size. firm texture, perfectly smooth, have
rich color, be early and prolific My
own taste calls for a fruit which is solid
and 'meaty," containing thick cell walls,
but relatively few seeds. Such a fruit
was found in the best strains of Ignotum
and OF the Stone, but neither is satisfac-
tory in New England field culture Some
tastes demand fruit with a large per
cent of pulp" The Chemin Market
meets this want; but, while one of the
most prolific sorts under glass, 1t is so
late as to be discarded for New Eug-
land field culture.
Solidity is largely an Individual rather
than varietal character and depends up
on the the relative number OF cells, or
seed cavities, and also the number of
seeds developed. The development of
seeds also depends largely upon the
amount of pollen produced and utilized
tain limits, this determines the form.
size and solidity of the fruit For field
culture we SOW seed in FLATS about
April 1st AS soon as the seedlings begin
to crowd they are removed TO three-inch,
and later to tour-inch pots. Some object
to frequent handling. but with US it has
been beneficial. We are convinced that
if properly handled in the house tomato
plants may be safely set in the field
earlier than is commonly supposed, and
with good results. Midsummer trim
ming of the plants has usually hastened
the ripening of the fruit then set, and we
regard the practice as q good one for
amateurs, but questionable in CONNER
cial plantations.
An old notion that relatively poor soil
is better for tomato-grow wing was long
ago exploded; but as yet comparatively
little accurate work has been done to-
ward determining the specific clement, or
com mbinatiOn of elements. which will pro-
duce the best results. Deductions from
experiments in Maryland Indicate that
potash tends to develop acid in the fruit,
while phosphoric acid produces a larger
percentage of sugar. Voorhees, found that
nitrate OF soda. used in small amounts or
divided into two or more applications, in
creased the yield without delaying early
ripening; but if large quantities were
used, maturity was retarded. But it was
concluded that nitrogen is the ruling ele-
ment in the growth of the tomato,
although its best effect depends upon the
presence of full supply of other ele-
ments. In general, we hold that while
heavy fertilizing does not lessen product
iveness, the best fertilizers are those
which hasten growth early in the season.
The winter-forcing of tomatoes Is one
of the most Interesting, satisfactory, and
often most profitable operations OF the
gardener. The most important condl-
tons are warm. light house-a two
thirds span facing south, being prefer
able-StrOng bottom heat, rich soil, care
full training, uniform temperature, care in
watering and pollenating, constant watch
fulness and good judgment. We plan
| for two crops each season. The first
is started by July 1st to 18th. Place
them on the fruiting benches in Septem-
| ber and the crop is in its prime at the
| holiday season, but lasts into February.
! The second crop, started In October,
takes the place of the other in February.
On the fruiting benches four plants are
grown ID D0X OF eighteen lncneS square
and one foot deep. Each plant is trained
to a single stem and occupies one and
one-half square foot of floor space Strong
flax cord-the size of wool twine-ex-
! tends from the base of each plan. to the
root. The plant is secured TO it by ratfia
bands. From much study l am con-
vinced that failure to fruit well is often
due to insufficiency of pollen on the
stigma. The only attention we have
found necessary TO remedy this is, on a
bright day. to give to each plant two or
| three sharp taps with padded stick.
| The most satisfactory varieties are the
Lorillard, Ithaca, Chemin Market, Opti-
mus and Golden Queen. The average
crop with us has been about IL pounds
per square foot of floor space, which, at 80
cents per pound, pays we'll. For New
England. as rule, the most profitable
work with tomatoes may be carried on
under glass, and at present the best vari-
eties for this purpose are named above
Springfield Union.
FARM NOTES.
The way to apply lime is to broadcast
il on q newly plOWed field so as to retain