The Field and Garden Vegetables of America Part 117

On the authority of a recent writer, the variety has already, to some extent, degenerated. Impure seed, or the influence of some peculiar locality, may have furnished grounds for the statement; but if the variety is genuine or unmixed, it will, in almost any soil or exposure, commend itself by its hardiness, solidity, and great productiveness.

RED CHERRY-TOMATO.

A small, red Tomato, nearly spherical, and about half an inch in diameter. The fruit is produced in great profusion, in large bunches, or cl.u.s.ters; but is comparatively of little value, on account of its small size. It is sometimes used as a preserve, and by some is esteemed for pickling.

RED PLUM-TOMATO.

Fruit bright-red or scarlet, oval, solid, an inch and a quarter or an inch and a half in depth, and about an inch in diameter; flesh pink, or rose-red, mild and well flavored; seeds comparatively few.

The variety is remarkable for its symmetry and for its uniform size.

When ripe, the fruit is not easily distinguished from some varieties of scarlet plums. It is hardy, early, and yields abundantly: but the fruit is employed princ.i.p.ally for pickling and preserving; its small size rendering it of little value for stewing or for catchup.

Mixed with the Yellow, they make a fine garnish, and are excellent for salad.

ROUND RED.

A small, round, red variety, measuring about an inch in diameter. It is one of the earliest of all the cultivated sorts, but of little value except for pickling or preserving.

ROUND YELLOW.

Of the size and form of the foregoing, differing only in color.

SEEDLESS.

Very similar to, if not identical with, the Perfected. Fruit almost rose-red, solid, and with comparatively few seeds.

TREE-TOMATO. _Vil._ _Hov. Mag._

New Upright. Tomate de Laye.

A new variety, raised from seed by Grenier, gardener to M. de Fleurieux, at a place in France called Chateau de Laye (whence the name), and introduced by M. Vilmorin of Paris.

It is distinct from all others; rising quite erect to the height of two feet or upwards, with a stem of remarkable size and strength. The branches are not numerous, and comparatively short, usually eight or ten inches in length,--thus requiring no heading-in; leaves not abundant, rather curled, much wrinkled, very firm, closely placed on the st.u.r.dy branches, and of a remarkably deep, shining-green color; fruit bright-red, of large size, comparatively smooth, and well filled to the centre,--in many respects, resembling the Perfected, though more regular in form.

From the peculiar, tree-like character of the plants, the variety is remarkably well adapted for cultivation in pots; but its late maturity greatly impairs its value as a variety for forcing. It is a slow grower, tardy in forming and perfecting its fruit, and, for ordinary garden culture, cannot be recommended as being preferable to the Perfected and other earlier and much more prolific varieties. It has been described as strictly self-supporting: but, though the fruit is produced in a remarkably close and almost clasping manner about the st.u.r.dy stem and branches, its weight often brings the plants to the ground; and consequently, in exposed situations, it will be necessary to provide stakes, or some similar means of support; though the plants never exhibit the rambling, rec.u.mbent character of the Common Tomato.

WHITE TOMATO.

Plant similar in habit to the Large Red; fruit large, generally ribbed, often irregular, but sometimes comparatively smooth. Its distinguishing characteristic is its color, which, if the fruit be screened by foliage or if grown in the shade, is almost clear white; if much exposed to the sun, it a.s.sumes a yellowish tinge, much paler, however, than the Large Yellow. Flesh yellowish, more watery than that of the Large Red, and of a somewhat peculiar flavor, much esteemed by some, and unpalatable to others.

The variety is hardy, remarkably productive, as early as the Large Red, and equally large and solid: but its color, before and after being cooked, is unattractive; and it is rarely seen in the markets, and seldom cultivated for family use.

WHITE'S EXTRA EARLY.

Early Red. Extra Early.

A medium-sized Red variety, generally round, but frequently of an oval form, flattened, sometimes ribbed, but comparatively smooth, and, when fully matured, of a deeper color than the later Red sorts. Average specimens measure about two inches and a half in diameter, and an inch and a half in depth. The plants are moderately vigorous, and readily distinguished by their peculiar curled and apparently withering foliage.

Flesh pale-red, quite firm, mild, not very seedy, and well filling the fruit, which is considerably heavier than the Apple-shaped. When cooked, it yields a much greater product, in proportion to its size, than the last-named and similar hollow-hearted varieties. Productive, and of good quality.

Planted at the same time with the Common Red varieties, it will ripen about two weeks earlier. An excellent sort for the garden, and recommended for general cultivation.

In order to retain this or any other early variety in its purity, seed for planting should be saved from the smoothest, best formed, and earliest ripened fruit. Few of the numerous kinds now cultivated possess much permanency of character; and rapidly degenerate, if raised from seed taken from the scattered, irregular, and comparatively immature tomatoes remaining upon the plants at the close of the season.

YELLOW CHERRY-TOMATO.

A yellow variety of the Red Cherry-tomato,--differing only in color.

Quite showy, but of little value for culinary purposes.

YELLOW PEAR-SHAPED TOMATO.

Yellow Fig-tomato.

A sub-variety of the Red Pear-shaped, with a clear, semi-transparent, yellow skin and yellow flesh. Like the preceding, it is little used except for preserving and pickling.

YELLOW PLUM-TOMATO.

A variety of the Red Plum, of the same size and form, and equally symmetrical; distinguished only by the color of its skin, which is a fine, clear, transparent yellow. It is used princ.i.p.ally for preserving; its small size rendering it comparatively valueless for use in any other form.

When the two varieties are intermixed, the colors present a fine contrast; and a basket of the fruit is quite a beautiful object.