TOMATOES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 816, 9 November 1929, Page 30

TOMATOES

SHOULD THEY BE MANURED Opinions may differ as to the wisdom of incorporating manure with the soil at the time of shifting tomatoes to their final quarters, but generally it is agreed that when plants begin to set their fruit some help in the direction of food is needful. Experience has proved that pieces of fibrous turf broken up along with rotted manure spread over the surface as the roots begin to come through, give the plants an impetus. Those who grow tomatoes for the first time sometimes start feeding before flowers have forjped, with the result that a deal of unnecessary wood is made at the expense of fruit. Stimulants can be given as soon as the first truss has set, and these may be continued during the remainder of the season. Manure, if obtainable, ought to be diluted with water. Failing these, some other proved concentrated manure will be found to hasten the crop. Tomatoes like a change of food, but under no circumstances ought stimulants be applied before ordinary water has been given or in a strong state with the idea of getting fruit to ripen up quickly, as it often ends by plants becoming surfeited and collapsing. There is one point which arises out of top-dressing tomatoes to which it is sometimes needful to call special attention —it is the temptation to lop off some of the large leaves, especially where plants are close together. It is a mistake to do so. and nearly always results in bleeding and prevents swelling of fruit. The better way is to tie the leaves back until such time as they begin to yellow, when they can be pinched off.