Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-03-18
TOMATO CULTURE.
\. J. WILSON.

best of our energies, and the |
closest attention. if you want
the results to show ON the right
side OF your bank account.
We must begin at the begin
ming and get the best seed the
market will afford. There are
many varieties, and ! mention
the Paragon. Acme, Queen
Stone, and Royal Red.
Make your seed bed in warm,
rich soil, and have a plentiful
supply of well-rotted stable
manure and use it plentifully,
and put it on the bed in as fine
shape as possible. Don't SOW
your seed too thick in the bed
and when planting time comes
don't have your plants twelve
inches high and as slim as ii
knitting needle. but six inches
high and stout
In regard to land YOU cannot
be too careful. You should
select "A field of land that is
naturally drained. and one that
will not sob or scald. If you
have not land like that YOU had
better underdrain it or stay out
of the business. might stop
here with one more word. and
that is manure Don't forget
it. After having selected your
land, which should be clover
sod if you have it. begin to
haul the manure and give it ii
plenty. Don't spare it. Let
the forkfulls fall close together
Get your manure out early,
better in the fall, then the first
open spell pillow and drag your
land and let il lie until spring
After the ground gets warm
and dry, re pillow it and disc it
both ways and drag again, and
keep it in good condition until
planting time.
In the meantime don't forget
your plants in the bed. Attend
to them, for your old friend, the
Colorado beetle, will be around.
In regard to fertilizer, some
prefer dropping it in the hill:
would advise broadcasting.
Use a good bone fertilizer
with plenty of potash and nitro
gen in it. If you cannot buy to
suit, mix it yourself, as the
compromising of fertilizer is no
secret. Put on from four TO
eight hundred pounds per acre.
As to the time of planting,
would say not earlier than the
18th of May, nor later than the
Goth of June. Mark off your
land both ways, not closer than
four nor over six feet. Some
say why plant SO far apart;
would prefer six feet Give
them room, and if you have
done your part, they will cover
the ground.
Water the beds before draw
ing the plants, and if the wind
is south plant without water
ing; puddle the roots, being
careful not TO get any mud on
the ps. Some may smile at
the idea of planting on south
wind, but all ask of you is to
try il and you will be convinced.
The south wind is moist wind.
Set your plants firmly in the
ground, then in about four to
six days start your fine-tooth
harrow. 1t might be necessary
TO go over them with a hoe and
work close TO the plants before
starting your wide-tooth har-
row; that will depend on the
season Don't spare labor. and
don't raise weeds and grass.
for the packers don't want
them.
Some of my hearers NAV
stand amazed at the great
amount OF labor and material
on one acre of land, and say
that his father raised plenty of
tomatoes in waste places and
along fence rows. | would
answer him by saying that his
grandfather raised cattle on
waste places and straw. without
feeding any grain. What would
You think if | should say To YOU
feed your beautiful JERSEYS
and mammoth Shorthorns on
straw without any grain. What
would you get answer.
bones. If any of my hearers
wish to raise tomatoes like their
fathers did. let them get seed
from their grandfathers. But
if he wishes to raise tomatoes
II inches in circumference let
him feed them. as he does his
fine Jerseys or his massive
Shorthorns.
One grower of tomatoes says.
if we follow your advice the
market will be overrun with
tomatoes. will say that it
has been several years since
the packer of tomatoes has been
able to secure all the fruit he
wanted, and the greatest trou-