1899.] ESSAYS. 15 



from $().()() to 18.00 :i Imshel, ;ind seldom going below $1.00 for 

 the later or main crop. 



No vegetable has i)een more rapidly improved than the Tomato. 

 On its first appearance tiie fruit was rough and ill-shaped, so th.'it 

 a large part had to l)e thrown away in preparing it for the table. 

 The rapid increase in the demand for Tomatoes was without pre- 

 cedent. It sprang at once into universal consumption. New 

 and inn)roved varieties were introduced, larger in size, smoother 

 in shape, and earlier in ripening. Its cultivation rapidly ex 

 tended over the entire country, and at the present time, in the 

 southern part, it is considered as one of the most important 

 cro[)s grown. 



Varieties have mutiplied almost indefinitely ; and among such 

 a large number of ditferent kinds, many of wtiich are of great 

 excellence, it is not difficult to select a half-dozen adapted to all 

 sections and markets. 



Some markets give the preference to the pink tomatoes, others 

 to the bright red varieties. If I was to select, judging from my 

 own experience, varieties the best adapted for market and home 

 use, I should name the following kinds : Early Comrade, New 

 Imperial, Perfection, Essex Hybrid, Dwarf Aristocrat, Dwarf 

 Champion, May's Favorite, and New Stone. 



Second in importance to the Tomato, especially to the canning 

 industry, is Sweet Corn. Not only has the demand in the mar- 

 ket largely increased, but thousands of acres are annually grown 

 to supply the canning factories, and if desired, sweet corn can 

 be had, of first quality in sweetness and flavor, for table use, the 

 entire year. Many varieties are in cultivation, but for all prac- 

 tical purposes, a few kinds still stand at the head of the list. As 

 a variety for both purposes, canning and table use in its green 

 state. Early Crosby ranks the highest. This has a good sized 

 ear, kernel very sweet and tender, and although not growing a 

 large stalk, is productive in the essential point of good ears. 



As a later variety, Potter's Excelsior ranks high, both in 

 quality and productiveness. As a still later variety, with larger 

 ears and kernels of luscious sweetness, Stowell's Evergreen fills 

 the bill. There are man\' other kinds of marked excellence, but 



