(. TOMATO CULTURE 



from each other so much in habit of growth, character 

 of leaf and fruit and other respects, that if they had 

 been found growing wild they would unhesitatingly 

 be pronounced different species, and botanists are not 

 agreed as to how our many and very different garden 

 varieties should be classified botanically. Some con- 

 tend that all of our cultivated sorts are varieties of 

 but two distinct species, while others think they have 

 originated from several. 



Classification. The author suggests the following 

 classification, differing somewhat from that sometimes 

 given, as he believes that the large, deep-sutured fruit 

 of our cultivated varieties and the distinct pear-shaped 

 sorts come from original species rather than from 

 variations of Lycopersicum cerasi forme: 



Currant tomato, Grape tomato, German or Raisin 

 tomato (Lycopersicum pimpineUifolium, L. racemi- 

 forme) (Fig. 5). Universally regarded as a distinct 

 species. Plant strong, growing with many long, slen- 

 der, weak branches which are not so hairy, viscid, or 

 ill-smelling, and never become so hard or woody as 

 those of the other species. The numerous leaves are 

 very bright green in color, leaflets small, nearly entire, 

 with many small stemless ones between the others. 

 Fruit produced continuously and in great quantity on 

 long racemes like those of the currant, though they 

 are often branched. They continue to elongate and 

 blossom until the fruit at the upper end is fully ripened. 

 Fruit small, less than ^ inch in diameter, spherical, 

 smooth and of a particularly bright, beautiful red 

 color which contrasts well with the bright green leaves, 

 and this abundance of beautifully colored and grace- 



