lO^ TOMATO CULTURE 



In different sorts, we have gradations from those in 

 which the leaves are so deeply cut as to have a fern- 

 like appearance, to those like the Magnus, or potato- 

 leaved, in which the margin of each leaflet is entire, 

 and from those in which the leaflets are so few and 

 small as to scarcely shut out the light at all to those 

 in which they are so numerous that the light can hardly 

 penetrate to the center of the plant. The Atlantic Prize 

 is an illustration of the scanty foliaged sorts, and the 

 Royal Red or Buckeye State of those in which it is 

 more abundant. As to color, the foliage varies from 

 the dark blue-green of the Buckeye State to the light, 

 distinctly yellowish-green of the Honor Bright. 



Varietal differences as to fruit. — These are often 

 more important than those of vine. L'or canning, for 

 forcing, and some other uses and for certain markets, 

 a medium and uniform size is a very important qual- 

 ity, while in other cases uniformity is not important 

 and the larger the individual fruits, provided they be 

 well formed, the better. We have different sorts in 

 which the size of the fruit varies from that of the 

 Currant, which is scarcely i inch in circumference, 

 to that of Ponderosa, of which well-formed specimens 

 over 20 inches in circumference have been grown. 



Shape. — It is always desirable that the outline of 

 the vertical section shall be a flowing line with a broad 

 and shallow, or no depression at the stem end and as 

 little as possible at the opposite point ; but the relative 

 importance of this, or whether the general outline 

 shall be round or oval, either vertically or horizon- 

 tally, forming a round, long or flat fruit, is largely 

 determined by how the fruit is to be used, and by in- 



