rch, or in the open ground as soon as the frost will
permit. As the plants, even in the most favorable seasons, seldom
perfectly mature their full crop, they should be started as early and
forwarded as rapidly as possible, whether by hot-bed or open-air
culture. If the seeds are sown in a hot-bed, the drills should be made
five inches apart, and half an inch deep. When the plants are two
inches high, they should be removed to another part of the bed, and
pricked out four or five inches apart, or removed into small pots,
allowing a single plant to a pot. They are sometimes twice transplanted,
allowing more space or a larger pot at each removal; by which process,
the plants are rendered more sturdy and branching than they become by
being but once transplanted.

As early in May as the weather is suitable, the plants may be set in the
open ground where they are to remain, and should be three feet apart in
each direction; or, if against a wall or trellis, three feet from plant
to plant. Water freely at the time of transplanting, shelter from the
sun for a few days or until they are well established, and cultivate in
the usual form during summer.

If sown in the open ground, select a sheltered situation, pulverize the
soil finely, and sow a few seeds in drills, as directed for the hot-bed.
This may be done in November (just before the closing-up of the ground),
or the last of March, or first of April. In May, when the plants are
three or four inches high, transplant to where they are to remain, as
before directed.

In gardens where tomatoes have been cultivated, young plants often
spring up abundantly from the seeds of the decayed fruit of the
preceding season. These, if transplanted, will succeed as well, and
frequently produce fruit as early, as plants from the hot-bed or
nursery-bed.

Sufficient plants for the garden of a small family may be started with
little trouble by sowing a few seeds in a garden-pan or large
flower-pot, and placing it in a sunny window of the sitting-room or
kitchen. If the seed is sown in this manner about the middle or 20th of
March, the plants will be of good size for setting by the time the
weather will be suitable for their removal.

_Forcing the Crop._--"The ripening of the fruit may be hastened by
setting the plants against a south wall or close fence. As the plants
increase in size, they must be nailed or otherwise attached to the wall
or fence; and, if the weather be dry, liberally wa