TOMATOES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 26, 10 September 1920, Page 13

TOMATOES.

The season for planting this appetising aird refreshing fruit is now around again. There are one or two poiiits of interest that I should like to draw attentiori to. Do not he in too great a lrurry to plant out unless you are pretty sure that in your house you will be able to keep a fairly warm temperature dnring rrery cold changes in the weather. If you have heat, well and good. If you are placed in a position where late frost is not likely to affect the temperature much, is is alf rigfrt. But if these conditions cannoi be assured, take my advice and hold over the planting for a week or two yet. Buy good strong sturdy plants. It is a waste of money, time, an'd la.bour to plant weakly drawn plants, as it is ten chances to one that they will not grow or will make a very poor return even if they do grow. If a plant measures as much across — that is, from tip to tip — as it is long, you may be sure it is not drawn and that it is all right. The tomato is a tender plant, but not a tropical plant, and it requires a moderately high temperature, free access of air, and, above all, a full flow of solar light to bring it to perfection. Almost any house or any shaped house will grow them where these conditions can be secured, and if the soil has been prepared as advised in my previous notes, nothing will be required but t6 give It a raking down and a good treading before planting. On no account plant in loose soil. Place the plants well down to make them firm and steady. From 12in to 15in in the row and 2ft 6in from row to row will be a good distance apart.