632 MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES. 



only present a neater appearance, but the ripening of the 

 fruit is facilitated, and the crop much more conveniently 

 gathered when required for use. 



The French mode of raising tomatoes is as follows : " As 

 soon as a cluster of flowers is visible, they top the stem 

 down to the cluster, so that the flowers terminate the stem. 

 The effect is, that the sap is immediately impelled into the 

 two buds next below the cluster, which soon push strongly, 

 and produce another cluster of flowers each. When these 

 are visible, the branch to which they belong is also topped 

 down to their level ; and this is done five times successively. 

 By this means, the plants become stout, dwarf bushes, not 

 above eighteen inches high. In order to prevent their falling 

 over, sticks or strings are stretched horizontally along the 

 rows, so as to keep the plants erect. In addition to this, all 

 laterals that have no flowers, and, after the fifth topping, all 

 laterals whatsoever, are nipped off. In this way, the ripe 

 sap is directed into the fruit, which acquires a beauty, size, 

 and excellence unattainable by other means." Gard. Chron. 



Varieties. These are quite numerous. Some are merely 

 nominal, many are variable or quite obscure, and a few ap- 

 pear to be distinct, and, in a degree, permanent. The prin- 

 cipal are as follow : 



Apple-Toma- Fruit somewhat flattened, inclining to globu- 

 APPLE-SHAPED. lar, depressed about the stem, but smooth and 

 regular in its general outline. The size 

 is quite variable ; but, if well grown, 

 the average diameter is about two inches 

 and a half, and the depth two inches. 

 Skin deep, rich crimson ; flesh bright 

 pink, or rose-color, the rind being 

 thick and hard, and not readily reduced 



Apple-tomato. 



to a pulp when cooked. 



