TOMATO CROPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21278, 3 September 1932, Page 8 (Supplement)

TOMATO CROPS

HINTS FOR GROWERS Although too early to plant out tomatoes for general crops, the planting out of a few well-hardened plants in a warm, sheltered, sunny position may be made. Little is gained, however, in very early planting unless it is under the most favourable conditions, such as against a warm sunny fence or wall that is protected from the cold southerly and westerly winds. For this reason the planting out of the general crops is better deferred until the end of the present month, while the planting may be continued until well into November. There are few vegetables more in demand or more extensively grown than tomatoes, and apart from diseases and pests to which most fruit-producing plants are liable it is doubtful if any countrv can produce finer or more abundant yields than New Zealand when proper attention is given to their cultural requirements. THE BEST VARIETIES The best varieties of tomatoes to grow depends in great measure upon the requirement of the growers. If grown for market and profit it is not advisable to experiment in quantity upon new varieties, but to select for the main crop, at any rate, varieties that have alreadv been proved to be good croppers and that produce good quality fruit and succeed well under ordinary conditions of culture. If on the other hand they are grown simply for homo consumption without regard to quantity, it is both interesting and instructive to grow and test new varieties, particularly where shape and perfectly-formed fruit is preferred in preference to quality and quantity.

RESULT OP ATTENTION While tomatoes are usually vigorous growing plants and will produce a fair crop of fruit under almost anv circumstances, there is no crop that "will more amply repay good care and attention. The quantity of fruit that can be grown upon a few tomato plants is surprising when proper attention is given to their cultivation. Any ordinary garden soil will grow tomatoes successfully providing it has been worked and used for ordinary crops. To plant in ground that has been heavily enriched with fresh manure is not advisable, as in such ground the plants make such rank luxuriant growth that double the extent of time and labour is entailed in stopping and cutting out useless growths, while the bunches of fruit will be few and far between. If, on the other hand, they are planted in soil that has been -worked and used for other vegetable crops the growth will be slower but more sturdy. Short-jointed growths will be made and the bunches of fruit will form at short distances apart the whole length of the plants. While it is true that tomatoes are gross feeding plants and require an abundance of nourishment to assist the plants in developing their fruit, it is best to be applied after a few bunches of the fruit is formed. It is then the plants require roost assistance and are most benefited by its use. GENERAL WORK Conditions throughout the autumn and up to the present time have, with the exception of record severe frosts, been most favourable for working the soil hy digging, mulching, etc., and also for tho planting of hardy trees and ornamental flowering shrubs as well a s for the pruning of roses and the different varieties of evergreen and deciduous trees and ornamental flowering shrubs and hedge plants. Dry weather and sunny davs have enabled the spraying of roses, trees and shrubs to be effectually performed. Spraying is always a necessary operation "to destroy various insects and to cleanse the bark from nioss lichen and other parasitic growths. FLOWERING PLUM Prunus mosen flore pleno, a most beautiful double-flowering plum with handsome dark coppery-purple foliage and charming double-pink blossoms is the first to come into flower. Some beautiful specimens in a Remuera garden have been wreathed in the greatest profusion of lovely small pink flowers for over a fortnight. This is a most desirable ornamental flowering and foliage plum deserv- i ing a place in every garden. It is of free i blanching habit and most attractive j Branches cut off i:i full flower are speci- ! ally adapted for room decorations. Prunus I nigra is noted for its very dark foliago. j It, makes an imposing specimen among j shrubs.

TIIE GOAT WILLOW Salix caprea, the common sallow or goat willow, is now conspicuously in flower with its silky catkins, which precedo the leaves. It is a native of Europe, and the earliest flowering of the British willows. The twigs, with cafkin3 on, gathered on Palm Sunday, are called palmbranches. It is much appreciated locally for decorative purposes. It is of the easiest cultivation and has become quite common. The variety pendula (weeping), the Kilmarnock weeping willow, is very remarkable for the very decided pendulous character of its branches. Worked upon tall stems it is most ornamental.