A Tomato House. Training The Young Plants

All things considered, however, the Lorillard is, perhaps, the best forcing tomato. It is uniformly of medium size, good quality, handsome color, and is prolific. Volunteer and Dwarf Champion are good. The latter is too small, but is very handsome, and its habit is such that it may be grown much nearer the glass than other varieties. The larger varieties seem inclined to be irregular when grown under glass, and this is not admissible in a hot-house tomato.

Cornell University. W. M. Munson.

The Tomato In Maryland

The tomato occupies a conspicuous place in the agriculture of a large part of Maryland. Besides the constantly increasing use of this vegetable, or fruit, in its fresh state, the demand for it for canning has become very large. "The tomato pack " of the whole country, was estimated at 3,343,000 cases in 1888, and 2,977,000 cases in 1889. To this aggregate Maryland contributes over twenty-three per cent, or nearly one-fourth. The quantity annually canned being from thirty to thirty-five thousand tons, there must be at least forty thousand tons of tomatoes ripened yearly in this state, representing the product of twelve thousand acres of land. Some estimates place the area and total product much higher. - H. E. Alvord, Maryland Experiment Station.

Too Much Thinning Of Apple Trees

Many pruners of trees err exceedingly by cutting away all the small branches in the middle of the tree-top. It is a common practice to see long branches, ten to sixteen feet in length, thoroughly denuded of every twig and fruit-spur. This is bad practice. The vital action of the tree rebels against such a practice by sending out numerous shoots and fruit-spurs on all the exposed portions of such bare limbs. The center of a tree top should be well filled with small branches bearing fruit-spurs. - Ess E. Tee.

A Trap For Snails

I have a glass case for ferns, but the snails have given me much trouble, in spite of sifting the earth before the plants were put in ; moreover the glass was smeared over with their tracks and looked badly. The leaves of the Begonia Rex were riddled, and some of the rare ferns were bitten off, or hung in shreds. The family took turns watching for the "varmints," but they knew too much to appear in the daytime. An effective trap was discovered accidentally. I planted some fern seed in a flower pot saucer and put it under the glass. Next time I took it out, I found three fat snails on the bottom, and next day some more. I examine the case every day and the number grows less and less ; I shall get them all in time. The ferns and begonias look much better; my trap is a success. - Sister Gracious.

Treatment Of The Calls Lily. M. I. S

Plants which have been indoors during the winter, should be taken out-doors as soon as all danger from frost is past. Cutting off the tops of callas has many advocates, and we consider it a good plan, especially for those who are experienced. When the plant is taken out of doors to rest, it should be left in the pot, turned on its side in some shady spot, and given only enough water from time to time to keep it alive. By all means remove the young plants from the pot containing the larger one, if you would have the latter do its best. If the plants need repotting do it in the fall when the plants are to be taken into the house. The calla requires its season of rest to do well, whether it be six months or six years old.