(Lycopersicon esculentum) 20 seeds per packet (unless otherwise noted). To furnish desirable early plants the seed should be sown in February or March in a hotbed or box kept in a warm place. When the plants are about 2 inches high, thin; or, better, transplant to 4 inches apart each way to ensure stocky plants. About the 10th of May or so, as danger from frost is past, transplant to the open ground, setting about 3 feet apart each way. The fruit will ripen earlier and be improved in quality if the vines are pruned to two stems and trained to stakes or trellises. Plants for late summer and fall crops may be started from seed in May or early June.