— 123 — 



"Pour-fifths of the varieties of tomatoes now offered by dealers 

 possess no points of snperiorit}- for general culture. It should be 

 borne in mind that a variety which is simply good is not worth in- 

 troducing. It must present some point of decided superiority over 

 the best kinds at present known in order to possess merit. This 

 fact appears to be commonly overlooked in all classes of vege- 

 tables, and every year the grower is bewildered with the display 

 of novelties. Nearly eighty varieties were grown this year, which 

 is less than half the number grown last year ; j^et from these num- 

 bers, comprising in all some two hundred sorts, six could be se- 

 lected which, for profit, woidd combine the merits of them all : Ig- 

 notum. Beauty (or Acme), Mikado, Perfection, Favorite, Potato 

 Leaf; or for very early, perhaps Advance, or Salzer,or Prelude may 

 be added. 



IMPRESSIONS OF SOME OF THE NEWER VARIETIES. 



Unless otherwise stated, the measure of value in any variety is 

 based upon its merit for market culture. A variety may be good 

 in itself and yet possess no points of superiority over old sorts, and 

 may be characterized as possessing no promise. 



Atnber Gem. (Morehouse & Annis). — A small tomato closely resembling 

 the old Large Yellow. Tends to become irregular. Of no promise. 



Atlantic. {Atlantic Prize. Johnson & Stokes). — A large tomato of good 

 color, but too irregular, and late in the season it is inclined to crack. Med- 

 ium in season, and productive. One of the earliest large sorts. Worthy of 

 further trial. 



Bay State. (Bragg). — A large and good late variety, regular or becoming 

 rough only late in the season, firm, very productive. It runs very even in 

 size. One of the best recent introductions. 



Braiidynvine. (Johnson and Stokes). — Much like the last, but averaging 

 smaller and inclined to be irregular. Worthy of trial. 



Diuarf Champion ■ (Henderson. Burpee. Thorburn). — A distinct t^pe of 

 tomato, very dwarf and compact in habit. It is evidently an off-shoot of the 

 French Upright, or is at least a variation towards it. It is handsome in fruit 

 and very prolific. The fruits are small, however, and they ripen slowly, a 

 characteristic of all the upright sorts. At the close of the season the vines 

 are still headed with green and nearly full-grown fruits, to a greater extent 

 than are the common varieties. As an amateur fruit it is an acquisition, 

 but for market our experience indicates that it is not valuable. We shall 

 force it during the winter. We had the same thing under the name of Tree 

 Tomato of New Jersey. 



Golden Queen. (Thorburn), and Sunrise Yelloiv (Henderson) are indis- 

 tinguisha1)le. Fruits medium in size, regular and handsome, but the var- 

 iety is less productive than _/«/Jz7if^, although the fruit is more regular in shape. 



