TOMATOES. 



The Tomato is more generally used in America than in any country in the world. The 

 amount consumed seems wonderful, especially when we consider how brief the time since its first 

 introduction as an article of diet. Almost every one likes it, and most persons regard it as a 

 great luxury ; but the Tomato is so slow perfecting its fruit that it is quite after the middle of 

 summer, and at the end of most people's patience, before the ripened fruit can be enjoyed. To 



obtain early varieties, therefore, is the great desire of all, and it is no strange thing to have varie- 

 ties advertised as two weeks earlier than any other kind, that are entirely worthless in all respects, 

 not even having the merit of earliness. We are satisfied that Hubbard's Curled Leaf is the ear- 

 liest Tomato grown, and this is its only merit, for it is small and far from being smooth. The 

 plant is small and will bear close planting, the leaves curling as if wilted. Gen. Grant is an 

 excellent early Tomato, about ten or twelve days later than the Curled Leaf, but Hathaway's 

 Excelsior is as early as Gen. Grant, and the best Tomato we are acquainted with. It received a 

 certificate of merit from the Royal Horticultural Society of England, is pronounced by the press 

 of Europe the best variety produced, and is everywhere popular. It is smooth, solid, of good 

 flavor, excellent color and productive. Pinching off a portion of the side branches, and stopping 

 others beyond where the fruit is formed, hastens the ripening very much. To obtain plants early, 

 sow seed in the hot-bed early in March. In about five weeks they should be transplanted to 

 another hot-bed, setting them four or five inches apart. Here they should remain, having all the 

 air possible, and becoming hardened, until about the middle of May, when they may be put out 

 in the ground ; that is, if there is no danger of frost. Very good plants can be grown in boxes 

 in the house, starting them even in the kitchen. Those, of course, who live in a southern clime 

 will be spared a good deal of this care. The soil for early Tomatoes should not be too rich, and 

 a warm, sheltered location selected, if possible. The Tomato may be made very pretty by train- 

 ing on a fence or trellis, like a grape-vine. No plant will better bear trimming. We have tested 

 hundreds of varieties of Tomatoes in our grounds during the past ten years. Every season we 

 put on trial every new kind we can.obtain from any source, and feel quite competent to speak on 

 the subject. Still, we can jftee well of the influence of soil and climate only as we receive 

 reports from our friends in dUKcnt sections of the country. 



The engraving, fig. 1, represents the Cherry Tomato, useful only for pickling; 2, Persian Yel- 

 low ; 3, Hathaway ; 4, Gen. Grant ; 5, Early Smooth Red ; 6, Curled Leaf. All are, of course, 

 very much reduced in size, though very well representing the form and characteristics of each. 



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