introduced to all countries where there has been any prospects of its flourishing, 

 Wherever the climate is sufficiently suitable to perfect the fruit, it seems to be univer- 

 sally a favorite ; and yet there is perhaps no other vegetable which is dressed in the 

 kitchen, that represents so nearly the normal condition. From a small, bitter tuber, as 

 the Potato is in its aboriginal state, there has been obtained the good-flavored farinace- 

 ous product we often feed upon; by the same care and skill in improving the loose, open- 

 leaved Kale — a mere weed in some places, has produced the burly, close-headed Cabbage 

 and the tender Cauhflower ; the nutricious and sugary Carrot has emanated from one of 

 the farmer's most troublesome weeds ; and Giant Asparagus, from a comparatively 

 mere pigmy of its own character, found on the sea shore; while the Tomato, 

 because nature was more lavish in her bounty, has been almost left to itself, to improve 

 by accident. It is true that there are a few varieties of good merit, but there is much 

 room for improvement. Why should a hollow Tomato be recognised as worth cul- 

 ture, so long as the same care which has been bestowed on other things would accom- 

 plish solidity? — and why tolerate those of unequal surface, when they may be shaped 

 like the Pippin Apples? The flavor likewise, notwithstanding the present acknow- 

 ledged excellence, may become considerably better. 



How to bring about this improvement, is a question that is easily answered. Let 

 every one who has a Tomato plot, — and who that has a garden has not, — notice 

 the plants when in fuU bearing — and one or more will show more excellence than the 

 i>thers — pick from the very best, the most desirable fruit, and save them for seed. 

 Repeat this each season, always having^ an eye to form, color, productiveness, flavor, 

 and size; and if no improvement takes place, then consider the writer an ignoi-amus. 

 I have followed the above plan for several years, and the result is quite satisfactory ; 

 and so it will be to others if adopted. Let this be more generally done by private 

 growers; let them raise their standard of excellence, and the awarders of prizes at the 

 public exhibitions follow suit, and the large growers for market will soon be forced to 

 take a better sample to the city, instead of the thick skinned, hollow subjects, which 

 are too often seen on the huckster's stall, and which "bounce" like a foot-ball. We 

 shall then have weight and quality, in return for good money. 



There is no vegetable that requires less care than the Tomato, where a general crop 

 only is wanted; but to have it fresh all the year round, which is no difficult matter, 

 there will have to be succession stocks of young plants, and the convenience of a hot- 

 house, or glazed pit for winter fruiting. To show how this perpetuity of bearing is to 

 be accomplished, will be the object of the following paragraphs. 



General Crop. — To get the general summer supply, and likewise as early as pos- 

 sible in the open ground, it is advisable to have strong and healthy plants ready to be 

 turned out in a warm aspect, so soon as all danger of frost is over; or where there is 

 the convenience of glass box frames, a portion may be planted therein two or three 

 weeks earlier, some at the distance apart that it is intended they should remain. A 

 good start is a great advantage, and fine plants will furnish fruit much earlier, and in 

 more abundance through the summer, than those which are weak and stunted to begin 

 with; consequently the little extra trouble required, is more than repaid. The com- 

 mon plan of sowing on a hot-bed, and leaving the plants to crowd each other up till 

 ilanting time, and then removing, almost without roots, only partakes of the " 

 and dollar foolish" action that is too often jiracticed, and always ends in k 



