Although I wrote in the last June number of the 'Gardener' at some length on "Open-air culture of Tomatos," I cannot consistently omit reference to the subject in this series of papers. That Tomatos are still gaining ground in the estimation of all classes of the community I am frequently receiving proof; and as they are considered by medical men to be very wholesome, it is to be hoped they will gradually displace the unwholesome Cucumber. Last season unusually heavy crops were produced on plants in the open air, though in many districts a great percentage of the fruit was badly diseased. To secure heavy crops extremely liberal treatment must necessarily be given, aiming also to have their fruit ripening as early as possible. In order to have an early crop, it is not advisable to plant sooner than usual, but rather to have plants in a more forward state - that is to say, with the first bunch of bloom already set, and more blooms expanding. This plan, of course, entails more labour and requires more house or frame room than does the commoner practice, but it pays: how best to prepare the plants depends much upon circumstances.

In my last situation I prepared them in frames, as previously described; here they are being prepared between plants fruiting early on the shelf of a forcing-house, and in other somewhat similar positions. The seeds were sown early in April, the seedlings potted off into 4-inch pots, shifted into 8-inch pots, and trained up the roof. All side shoots are closely rubbed out, and the plants carefully watered. They will be hardened off at the end of May, and planted out probably early in June. I do not anticipate any serious check to the development of the fruit, some of which most probably will be ripe by the middle of July, and the plants will continue in bearing till injured either by frost or disease. Of course it is impossible, in many cases, to grow the full number of plants in this manner. Here, for instance, fifty will be so prepared, these being destined for the hottest walls, those intended for the borders clear of the walls being sown later, and not allowed to get so much root-bound and drawn up as often is the case. With me the earliest bed of Lettuces is usually followed by Tomatoes, manuring freely and disposing the plants in lines at least 2 feet apart, and about 18 inches asunder in the lines, placing a strong stake to each at once.

In this position the heaviest crops usually result. Manure is also freely worked in for those at the foot of the walls, planting these about 15 inches apart. In each instance the plants are grown with a single stem, are kept carefully trained, have all side shoots closely rubbed out, are watered during dry weather, and occasionally with liquid manure, and early in the season are freely mulched with half-rotten manure. Under this treatment nothing but disease prevents very profitable crops resulting. It is the late ripening, consequent upon haphazard culture, that most frequently ends in disappointment. W. Iggltlden.