126 buist's family kitchen gardener. 



1828-9 it was almost detested ; in ten years more every vari- 

 ety of pill and panacea was " extract of Tomato." It now oc- 

 cupies as great a surface of ground as Cabbage, and is culti- 

 vated the length and breadth of the country. As a culinary 

 dish it is on every table from July to October. Contiguous 

 to large cities, where a high price is given for the first and 

 earliest supply, the exertions of the experienced market gar- 

 dener bring every operation to bear on its early maturity. lo 

 is brought to the table in an infinite variety of forms, being 

 stewed and seasoned, stuffed and fried, roasted and raw, and 

 in nearly every form palatable to all. It is also made into 

 pickles, catsup, and salted in barrels for "Winter use, so that 

 with a few years more experience, we may expect to see it as 

 an every-day dish from January to January. It belongs to 

 the same family as the Potato, and like it is destined to be 

 universally cultivated in all climates where it will mature ; 

 and we yet expect to see it grown to an extent in the erections 

 of the wealthy who inhabit colder latitudes, that they too 

 may enjoy this favorite. There are several kinds grown for 

 fancy purposes, but only three sorts for the table : these are, 



The large smooth Red. — This is a very recent variety, in every 

 respect similar to the common sort, only being smooth and 

 free from protuberances and indentations. 



Large Red. — The sort that is grown by the hundreds of 

 acres for market supply, and is from three to eighteen inches 

 in circumference. 



Pear Sharped. — This variety is of a reddish-pink color, very 

 fleshy, contains fewer seeds than the two former sorts, equally 

 as good for stewing, and preferable for pickling, being more 

 firm, and of a better shape. 



Cherry Shaped. — This variety is very appropriately named. 

 It is cultivated expressly for pickling, and forms a very beauti- 

 ful variety. . 



There are several other fancy sorts, generally of a yellow 

 color, which have an interest to those who are fond of variety. 



