68 DEPARTMENT REPORTS. 



the relative constancy of characters. I have distinguished varieties and 

 kept them separate whenever possible, but whenever varieties are so near 

 alike that I can determine no character of even ordinary constancy, they 

 are thrown together under the oldest unobjectionable name. Even 

 though some of these relegated varieties may possess prominent marks in 

 some cases they will, in the main, be found to so closely resemble the variety 

 with which they are placed that the cultivator will fiad no superior quality in 

 them. It would be gratifying to know, however, that seedsmen could turn 

 their attention somewhat in the direction of the elucidation of synonomy 

 rather than in the entanglement of it. 



Yet, notwithstanding the apparent importance of determining synonyms 

 or duplicates, there are other far more important features of this study of 

 varieties of garden plants. We need to determine the general character- 

 istics and tendencies of the existing varieties, as indicated above, in order to 

 make any safe venture towards improvement. Again, this system of com- 

 paring varieties, of sorting, emphasizes the good and bad qualities of each 

 variety, and at once establishes a standard of excellence. To sort out varie- 

 ties is more important than to sort the fruit for shipment, for its value, influ- 

 ence, extends over many seasons. Tlius it becomes apparent that even if the 

 determination of duplicates, as recorded in the following pages, is not always 

 correct, there is yet a broad and deep value in this system of comparison. 

 If the expert gardener is not able to indorse this disposition of varieties, he 

 can nevertheless obtain good from it. The expert gardener may even be able 

 to find just the particular strain he wants from the subordination of names, 

 for exceedingly like sorts are thrown together. He can pick from a few 

 better than from many. 



Direction of Variatio7i.* — The Cherry tomato is undoubtedly the orig- 

 inal tomato, from which have come all the varieties of our garden, with 

 the exception of the currant, which represents a distinct species. One of the 

 first variations from the primitive type is the augmentation of cells in the 

 fruit, followed by a tendency to irregularity in shape. Later, the flow- 

 ers become monstrous by the production of an abnormal number of parts. 

 In the synopsis of varieties on a succeeding page, the varieties are arranged 

 in the order of their supposed development, so far as possible in a lineal 

 classification. The true development of- the leading sorts is better repre- 

 sented in the following diagram, on page 69. 



The figures in the succeeding pages illustrate some of the leading types 

 of tomatoes, and show some of the most striking points of departure from 

 the first type. Fig. 4 illustrates the ordinary tomato foliage, although this 

 is a variation from the smaller and thinner foliage of the Cherry sorts. 

 Fig 5 illustrates the peculiar " curled " foliage of many of the angular 

 sorts. Figs. 9 and 10 show the very singular foliage of the Mikado, Potato 

 Leaf, and Nisbit's Victoria. Fig. 11 represents the habit and foliage of the 

 Orenieror French Upright. Figs. 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 illustrate variations in 

 fruits. The general habit of plants also varies much. 



♦For a fuUer discussioa of this subject the reader is referred to an illustrated article by the 

 writer in American Naturalist, June, 1887, 573. 



