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TOMATO CULTURE By W R Elliott, District Aflent U S Farm Demonstration Work. Select virgin soil, if possible free of all plant diseases, in the preparation of the seed bed. First be certain that you have secured fresh seed for planting. The year li?14 should be printed on the package containing the seed, it being reasonable to expect fresh seed in this case. An ordinary soap or soda box in the absence of a hot bed can be secured to plant the seed in. Fill the box with soil to within three in dies of the top and pack down well. This soil should not be as fertile as the field in which the plants are to De grown, as m uusi case the plants would receive a backset, being transplanted from rich soil to poor soil. Mark off rows three to four inches apart and a half inch deep, drilling the seed an inch apart in the row, then cover and firm the soil well and sprinkle with water almost at boiling point. Place box in southern exposure, keeping the soil damp but not too wet; and at night take the box in doors for protection. Planting in the drill obviates the necessity of transplanting to secure stocky plants. When plants have reached a height of from three to four inches pinch off all leaves except a few at the top and fill in between rows (with the same kind of soil in which plants are growing) to within an inch or two of the top. The plants will then take root along the entire length of the buried stem, and in a short period the added root system which is thus given the plant will force it into vigorous growth. When the plants have reached a height of four inches they are ready for the field. Lift plants carefully, being sure not to break the roots, and again pinch off the leaves as above stated, and set them deep in the soil. Shading will then seldom be necessary except in very hot weather. Overgrown plants can be planted in a trench, by laying the stem in the trench and setting the tops in an upright position by packing earth firmly around them. An ideal location for a seed bed for growing plants during the summer months will be found on the north side of a fence running east and west. Three inch strips two and a half feet long can be tacked on the top of fence posts and guano sacks sewed together stretched across them for protection against the midday sun rays. Since the tomato is grown exclusively for its fruit, the plant should not be forced to make large foliage, and only enough nitrate of soda snouia De usea to Keep me piani vikorous and green; as nitrogen makes plant growth. Phosphorous makes fruit and potash strengthens the growth, giving body to the plant, color and firmness of fruit to the tomato. No set rule can be given for the fertilization of this crop, as all soils vary in fertility; but a good mixture for tomatoes can be made by mixing 20 pounds 16 per cent acid, 100 pounds cotton seed meal, 50 pounds nitrate of soda and 50 pounds muriate of potash. Slaked lime will be found very beneficial (on mosi soils) applied on top of soil and well harrowed in after land has been thoroughly prepared. Lime should be applied two or three weeks before planting if used in large quantities. It acts as an agent by counteracting acidity, has the tendency to make sandy soils more compact and clay soils more porous, and helps to some extent to prevent tomato blight. Care must be used in the application of lime, as it will set free the ammonia in nitrate of soda or in other nitrogenous fertilizers if it comes in contact with them (that is, direct contact). As to cultivation: A dust mulch two inches deep should be kept up during the growing season to prevent evaporation of moisture. This can be done by using a joe harrow, or heel scrape, or in the absence of these a four prong digger or garden rake can be used if ground is free of grass and weeds. A large yield of tomatoes on onetenth of an acre can be best secured by staking the plants and pruning to a single vine. Trellises can be used also by sinking posts in the ground three feet apart and stretching hay wire or telephone wire 12 inches apart, across the posts, training the plants to the wire. Another method used by many growers is to take pieces of two by four inch scantling five or six feet long, sharpened at one end, and three inch strips tacked one foot apart on these. The posts are then driven into the soil until the first strip, * * * * t AA * 1 f At wnicn snouia De z\j incnes rruin me sharpened end, comes within 12 inches of the ground. The plants are then trained to the strips. Summary: Care should be taken in- the selection of soil for tomatoes. Never plant tomatoes in the same place year after year if blight, wilt or any other disease has ever attacked the plants. The land should be broken to a depth of at least six inches and thoroughly pulverized. Fertilizer should be thoroughly incorporated with the soil ten days to two weeks before planting, for quick results. A supply of nitrate of soda should be kept on hand for occasional top dressing when needed. Sallow looking plants need nitrate of soda. Sandy soils will need more potash than clay soils ana usually more nitrogen. Cow manure should be well rotted or composted for best results. Stable manure is too heating unless used in moderation or thoroughly composted with acid phosphate. A dust mulch should be kept up during the growing season. Spark's Earliana is perhaps the best extra early tomato. Acme gives fine results. Main crop varieties, Stone, Matchless, Majestic, Beauty, Prize Bell, etc. For exhibition purposes, Buist's New Monarch, Brimmer, Improved Ponderosa, etc. Sow a cover crop of crimson clover or vetch in the tomato field to be turned under the following spring for the purpose of adding humus and nitrogen for next year's crop. Wood Alcohol. Much has been written in recent years regarding the almost criminal ignorance of the general public in the use of wood alcohol, and its injurious effect not only on eyesight, but on life itself. The importance of adequate protection of the public in this regard is emphasized by a recent tragedy in New York City. I Three women died and two were made dangerously ill from drinking home-made wine at a wedding feast. The wine was made by the bridegroom and was drunk by the two hundred guests present. The recipe for the beverage, the police say, was sugar, water, alcohol and a red and green coloring matter. It was first thought that the women were suffering from ptomaine poison, but' the Coroner's physician pronounced death to be due to alcohol poisoning, and the police declare the wine was made with wood alcohol. This dangerous poison often kills and even when the life of the victim is spared, he is generally blinded for the rest of his life. Cough Medicine for Children. Too much care cannot be used in selecting a cough medicine for children. It should be pleasant to take, contain no harmful substance and be most effectual. Chamberlain's Cough Remedy meets these requirei meets and is a favorite with the mothers of young childaen everywhere. For sale by all dealers. Have You Poul ! Cure the liver and you cure the bi all poultry troubles are due to a disor Thousands of poultry raisers who use round to keep their flocks in good he recommend u a a STOCK & ] 1DCC l/cc " MEDK It's a Liver Medicine.' Also a strengthing Tonic. w ' Til I will take special care < f day or night. We use t compounding. If It's Toik we have the bes Buy an Easti J fro: 1 JCinastree ' k $730 JACKSONVIU j Confederate Vet Tickets on sale May 3, 4, 5, 6 i destination prior to midnight Ma; CXTCN may be obtained by deposit of t East Forsythe St Jacksonville,F1 upon payment of fee of 50c. STOP-C i allowed in both directions. SIDE-' from Jacksonville at very low ra Alabama points by applying at A 138 West Bay St, Jacksonville, F 10, inclusive, limited to June 2, 1 A splendid chance to visit Flori X) rurztuy iiixuixiiauvu. auui? ATLANTIC C (Standard Railro* W. J. CRAIG, 1 Passenger Traffic Manager. WILMINGl 3-26-7t : i ? | ' VI ARC LOOKII 257" 22I3STO| W H To show you the latest and tl t Jewelry, Clocks, Stei Silver-Plated Ware ' t E I all suitable for Birthday and W NEW STOCK OF FLOR MAIL ORDERS PROMPTLY REPAIR WORK of ALL KIN? S. T IEI O IVL . QUALITY JE' 257 King St., - I SHOE Rlo^l UIUVI try Troubles ? rd. Nearly r " ~, ",?mmmma"~ 1 dered liver. Bee Dee STOCK & . it Oil vpnr POULTRY MEDICINE ' iiLL-u is a splendid cure for liver altll, highly trouble, roup and chicken cholera. Given regularly with the feed, in small doses, it also makes an poultry excdk?vtw :ine PurcelL Okla. i 1 25c, 50c and fl. per can. At jroor dealer's. \!jj R Di Co.f of your prescriptions, only pure drugs jn it Articles it line in town. man ivuuan g Drug Co's. _L $7.30 >? LE,FLORIDA | eraus' Reunion. ind 7, good returning: to reach ; y 15, 1914. rsiON icket with Special Agent, 21 la, not later than May 15,1914, IVERS ' I I TRIPS ites to all Florida, Georgia and . tlantic Coast Line ticket office, la. Tickets on sale May 6 to I 914. i | | Ida at unusually low rates. V W Holliday, Agent OAST LINE, | id of the South). r. C. WHITE, General Passenger Agent, on. N. e. *G TOR YOU AT STkj^ET. 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Neat mixtures - jm satisfaction send us ^ * & Visanska 1' 1 hiself Sfrnfc, "inrh PjimlinfL kings for Men and Boys I 1A T * -I Mi*?fc1; ; K> J stree Patronize kley Cafe money's worth and the . Oysters served in any chased this business from A ur friends to give us their f j 3 pleasure in serving you. l square meal, \ id Frank Gamble MOTOR COMPANY |1 IEE, S. C M lave opened an up-to-date * obiles of all kinds, to do , >nlv ask for a fair trial. ^ ig your 1914 model Car. the famous Ford Cars. I aranteed Quaker Casings I is. Auto Accessories for Oils. I : serve you. MOTOR COMPANY i n Express Co.'s Office j ? A