266 VEGETABLE FORCING 



will mature just as large and as good a crop in several 

 weeks less time than a later variety, the cost of produc- 

 tion will be materially less and profits proportionately 

 larger. With an early-maturing variety, the house can 

 be used later in the spring for lettuce or radishes, and 

 have sufficient time to mature tomatoes for the June and 

 July markets. 



When tomatoes are cheap, the markets will take fruits 

 of large size, but when they retail at 30 cents or more a 

 pound, small specimens are desired. At midwinter, when 

 maximum prices prevail, the fruits are generally used for 

 salad, and usually cut into thin slices. The tendency, 

 therefore, is to grow fruits that range from three to four 

 ounces in weight for winter sales and larger sizes for the 

 fall and early summer trade. When tomatoes are selling 

 at 8 to 12 cents a pound wholesale, it is seldom that 

 there is any complaint about their being too large. Some 

 growers select varieties which, under ordinary condi- 

 tions, yield fruit of small size, but by liberal fertilizing 

 and the best cultural conditions produce specimens that 

 are medium to large in size. It is especially important 

 that the fruits run uniform in size. 



The most popular forcing varieties produce globular 

 fruits. They should be regular in shape and free from 

 sutures. The color is almost wholly a matter of market 

 preference. Most markets prefer bright red tomatoes, 

 though there are many exceptions. The brilliant scarlet 

 shades are somewhat more showy than the pink or 

 purple colors. The flesh should be firm, tender, fine in 

 texture, juicy and of good quality. The skin should not 

 be subject to cracking. 



The testing of varieties is such a simple proposition 

 that every commercial grower should satisfy himself by 

 tests in his own houses that he is using the variety which 

 is best for his particular market and conditions. He 

 should be on the alert for improved varieties or strains, 



