The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-18
TOMATO CULTURE.
Fertilizer.

On soils Of medium fertility, one
two-horse wagon load of we'll rotted
Staplc manure may be broadcast over
the ground Of the one-tenth acre plot.
and turned under when the ground is
broken. In addition to this, 40 to 80
pounds of commercial fertilizer an
alyzing per cent nitrogen, per cent
phosphoric acid, and per cent potash
should be sown in the drill and thor
oughly mixed with the soil ten DAYS or
two weeks before the plants are set.
II stable manure is not used, so to 12O
pounds Of commercial fertilizer, con-
tanning from to 6 per cent of nj
trogen, to per cent of phosphoric
acid, and to 10 per cent Of potash, is
needed for best results In fertilizing
tomatoes potash should predominant
in that it makes for neaty fruit. Oak
and hickory ashes may be used in the
tomato garden, for the potash that is
In them. In commercial fertilizer
muriate Of potash is preferred 20
kainit as source of potash for toma-
toes. The best sources of nitrogen to
be used are dried blood, fish scraps
and nitrate Of soda. Cotton seed meal
should not be used, as it stimulates
the growth Of foliage at time when
the fruit should be developing. It is
we'll to apply the fertilizer in part
when the plants are placed in the
field, and again when fruit formation
begins. 1t should be confined almost
exclusively to strip one or two feet
wide along the course Of the row !n-
stead Of being sown broadcast over
the garden.
Transplanting to Garden.
If possible select a time for trans
planting when the soil is moist, but
not wet, and the air still and warm.
Just before setting the plants the
ground should be thrown into broad
flat ridges four feet apart, varying in
height from almost level in sandy sell
to several inches higher in sitter.
land. Plants are put in con-
dition for transplating, allowing a
scant supply Of water for a few days
before, with the fullest exposure of air
and sun. then thorough wetting a
few hours before they are taken up.
Take up the plants for the days plant
ing in the early morning, being care
full to secure as much Of the root as
possible, pack them tightly in a box
and keep them in shady place with
canvass or burlap thrown over them
Holes to receive the plants may be
made with dibble or planting trowel.
either Of which may be made of wood.
The plants are placed in these holes
an inch or two deeper than they stood
in the bed and earth is packed closely
about the rOOts-especially at the
bottom. A slight saucer shaped de-
preston is left about the plant and
into this a half dipperful of water is
poured and tho depression filed with
dry earth-left loose to prevent caking
and evaporation.
Cultivation.
AS soon as the plants are set the
ground should be we'll stirred to the
greatest depth possible with a small
tOOthed cultivator, as the tramping
necessary to setting the plants COM
pacts and hardens the soil, which
needs to be loosened and aerated.
Cultivation should follow every week
from time of planting till after fruit
begins to ripen, and should be quite
shallow after the first two workings
so that the roots that have spread
across the middles may be injured as
little as possible.