The following paper on "The Tomato and its Successful Cultivation " was read by Mr Herbert Clark at the meeting of the Christchurch Horticultural Society on August 6:— I will not give you the botanical name, nor the history of ita introduction into Europe, but will plunge at once into the subject, which is of more practical use, namely, the successful cultivation of the tomato. It is of the greatest importance in grow ing tomatoes to procure a good strain of seed of tha varieties which are moat suited to the purppße in view, whether that may be exhibition, household use, or the market. I always save my own seed ; I select a fine tomato for that purpose aa early as possible in the season. In the course or a few years I improved a "Large Eed" tomato wonderfully by a judicious selec tion, resulting in a more abundant bearer, with better shape and quality of fruit. I find that the best; time for sowing the seed ia from th c middle to the end of August ; but if any of you have frame accommodation a pinch of seed might be put in at the beginning of the month, to provide early plants to be planted in the open sooner than the bulk, but this -would necessitate covering up at night with boxes, pot 3or any other available covering. Take a shallow box and fill with light soil, pressing in moderately firm and even ; sow your seed, and then sprinkle a little soil over; water gently and place in a hotbed. In a few days the seed will have germinated. When the plants are showing their rough leaves, prick out about 2£in apart into a box containing a richer soil than the former; return to the hotbed for a week or ten days, when they may be placed in a milder or nearly Bpent hotbed. They are lcfb here till the plants are a fair size, when they will have to be taken to the warmest situation in the garden, leaving them exposed to the weather all day, but covering at night with canvas or any other material at hand, to keep off frost. Keep them growing slowly, not too gross, aa much depends on the hardy nature of the plants, whether they take kindly to their shift when planted in the open. 