The usual custom of sowing tomato seed thickly in the greenhouse and hot-bed, is one that should not be followed, as the plants grown in that manner are usually inferior to those that nature produces by her own sowing in the open ground. Much can be gained by sowing the seed about the first of April in a frame, or in a greenhouse without artificial heat. A gain of four weeks is possible, but to secure that the plants must be properly handled. They must be pricked out as soon as they have made the second pair of leaves, into shallow boxes of light soil, or what is better, into thumb pots. If in boxes, the plants should be two inches apart each way, and they must be given all the light and air possible, when the temperature will warrant it, in order that they may make short and vigorous plants. When three inches high they will require another shift; in the boxes set them three inches apart each way, in which they can grow until removed to the field or garden. The plants in pots should be frequently shifted, never allowing them to become root-bound ; they should, moreover, have all the room that can be conveniently given them, but it will answer if the pots touch each other.

Although this may seem an expensive way of producing plants, where early fruit is wanted it is economical. For field culture, plants may be started in a cold-frame by sowing the seed about the middle of April, covering with a sash at night or on cold days, and pricking the young plants out as in the greenhouse, one inch apart each way, transplanting to the field when the weather will permit, the first of June being sufficiently early. It is a great mistake to put out tomato plants too early ; there is nothing gained, but on the contrary, in the case of cold winds, a great loss of time by the check the plants will receive, will be the result.