THE WILD TOMATO 



The little wild tomato (Lycoperskiim vulgare cerasiforme) which is found in Madeira is gener- 

 ally considered i)y Ijotanists to belong to the original stock, native in vSouth America, from 

 which our cultivated varieties have been derived. It grows wild in many parts of the 

 islands, often under desert conditions, and in appearance the plant is quite similar to 

 the gartlen varieties. One plant was found where it could not have had a droi) of water for 

 at least three months. It i)robablv had started to grow during the last few rains of spring, 

 but had completed its growth during the heat and drought of summer. When it was 

 found, the vine was ai)i)arently dead and lying flat on the ground; the leaves had dried up 

 and dropped off; but more than ?>()() fruits, all \)\\.\m\^ and firm, were clinging to the vmc. 

 The fruits arc so very acid that they can be used for little else besides soups, and the 

 natives do not use them a great deal for even that. Their keeping quality, however, might 

 prove a rlcsiral)le characteristic in crossing with some of the highly developed varieties 

 with the object of ol)taining a good shipjjing tomato of pleasing flavor. Photograph, actual 

 size. 



(Frontispiece) CHARLES H. Oaui.k, FuikIiiiI , Madeira. 



