Chapter III

MIKE AND MUFFY VISIT A TOMATO FARM

        The next day Mike and Muffy talked about their visit to the poulty farm. " I really liked the baby chicks we saw. They were so soft. But I didn't see any treasure. Do you think we missed it ? " Muffy asked.

        " Mr. Alvin knows all about treasure. Let's ask him where we should look, " Mike suggested. The two children went off to visit Mr. Alvin.

        " We're still searching, Mr. Alvin. Can you help us again ? " Muffy said.

        " Why don't you visit a tomato farm on Chandler Mountain near Steele, Alabama ?

         You'll know that you are at the right place when you see rows and rows of tomatoes growing on vines, " Mr. Alvin suggested.

        The two students were walking down the road when Mike suddenly pointed to a field ahead. " Look, Muffy ! That must be a tomato farm. See the vines ? And there's someone working on them. Let's stop here, " he said.

        " Can you help us sir? We're looking for a tomato farm, " Muffy asked.

        " You've found the right place. I"m Mr. Tony, and I'm checking my plants to see if            these tomatoes are ready to be picked. The building up ahead is the greenhouse  where I grow plants like these from seeds until  they are large enough to live in the soil and produce these tomatoes you see, " the man said.

         " But I thought tomatoes were red, " Mike and Muffy said at the same time. " These are green ! "

        " Tomatoes are picked when they are green. Then we take them to the greenhouse where  they are washed, dried, and waxed. After that we pack them into boxes and ship them to stores and markets. We have to pick them green and handle them very carefully so they will be just right for eating when you buy them, " Mr. Tony explained.

        " I really like tomatoes. I like them on sandwiches and cooked in soup and on pizza too, "

        Muffy told Mr. Tony, and Mike said he did too.

        " Would you each like to have one to take home with you ? " Mr. Tony ask them as he picked up two large ones and held them out.

        " Oh thank you ! Thank you so much ! " Mike and Muffy called out as they ran down the road toward home.