302 NEW JERSEY AGEICULTURAL COLLEGE 



THE "baby ponderosa. 



In 1906 the following double cross was made, namely, "Acme- 

 Arcadia" upon "Ciirrant-Ponderosa." The block of blend plants 

 showed a striking range of variation in stem, foliage, flower clus- 

 ter and fruit. There were two plants that had the fruits flat, some- 

 what ribbed, and in equational section showed many seed cavities; 

 all of which led at once to the expression "Baby Ponderosa," 

 since which the type has borne this garden name. 



Seed secured from one of the above-named plants' by close breed- 

 ing has since produced a set of plants that is quite uniform in the 

 character of the fruit. The vines are somewhat slender, long, and 

 have a strong suggestion of the "Currant" type, easily recognized 

 by the many small separate lobes of the leaves. In inflorescence 

 there is a blending of the raceme^ of the "Currant" with the 

 branched cluster of the "Ponderosa," and the whole plants are less 

 hairy than the last-named parent. 



The fruits of this hybrid are perhaps of but little value com- 

 mercially, as they are too small, of poor shape (flat) and the walls 

 of the seed cavities are thin and the seeds numerous. The flavor 

 is different from any other tomato- in the field, and to^ those who 

 like a tartness in this fruit it is very agreeable, but, perhaps, the 

 best judges wonld condemn it. upon this' point- as well as the size-. 



The plants varied considerably in time of fruiting and prolific- 

 ness, but in general the "Baby Ponderosa" is a midseason tomato 

 and a good bearer. Owing to- the thinness of the wall and the 

 roughness of the exterior it is not a good keeper. 



From the breeder's standpoint it illustrates that extreme forms 

 may be combined and striking intermediate types secured in a 

 short time by the process of selecting and inbreeding. It shows 

 that in such a hybrid neither parent controls in the blend save 

 where strictly Mendelian una are involved. In the present in- 

 stance there were both the red of the "Ctirrant" and the pink of 

 the "Ponderosa" in the set of blend plants. In making the selec- 

 tion of the "Baby Ponderosa" a pink-fruited plant was chosen and 

 that color has remained constant. 



