SOME NOTES ON TOMATOES. 145 



suggested, the small unsalable fruits whose history has not been 

 traced, are almost invariably seedless, or supplied with a very 

 small number of seeds. I therefore regard some method of 

 artificial pollination as of the greatest importance. 



The varieties found most satisfactory for forcing are Lorillard, 

 Ithaca, Chemin Market, Optimus, and Golden Queen. In our 

 houses, for several years past the average crop from several of 

 the leading varieties has been about 2.5 pounds per plant or 1.7 

 pounds per square foot of floor space. If we are sure of fifty 

 cents per pound, the crop is a paying one. 



A Brief Resume. — The sum of the whole matter then, is this : 



1. Lycopersicum esculentum, from which most of our common 

 varieties of tomatoes have been developed, is a native of Peru, 

 but is spontaneous or indigenous as far north as Texas and 

 California, in a form closely approaching the Cherry tomato of 

 the gardens. 



2. The tomato was first cultivated in the south of Europe and 

 is mentioned as early as 1561. 



3. The fruit was used for food in 1583, but was slow in 

 coming into general use. Seven varieties were known at the 

 beginning of the eighteenth century, but not till a hundred years 

 later did the culture become general in England. 



4. The tomato was known and used as an article of food in 

 this country in 1806, but was not grown for market until about 

 182!). 



5. The modern large fruited and irregular varieties, including 

 the French Upright, and the Grandifolium or Mikado type, have 

 undoubtedlj' been developed from the Cherry tomato or a closely 

 related form ; this development has apparently come about largely 

 by the augmentation of cells in the primitive type. 



6. The results obtained from crossing the common tomato with 

 Lycopersicum pimpineUifolium indicate a promising field for the 

 development of new types. 



7. Solidity of fruit is an individual, rather than a varietal, 

 character, and this character is often dependent on the amount of 

 pollen received by the flower. 



8. If properly handled in the house, tomatoes may be set in 

 the field much earlier than is commonly supposed, with good 

 results. 



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