26 NOTES OX TOMATO BREEDING 



L. esculentuvi is the species from which our commercial 

 tomatoes come. It is thought also to have originated in Peru, 

 although it has been found in other countries, as in Mexico and 

 California, in a form similar to the cherry tomato. 



HISTORY OF GROWTH 



While the tomato was known in Europe as far back as 1561, 

 but four varieties were found in England in 1819. In these 

 early days it was grown mainly for ornament. Prof. Munson 

 finds that the fruit was first introduced into this country at Phil- 

 adelphia by a French refugee from St. Domingo, in 179S ; and 

 again by an Italian painter, Come, at Salem, Mass., about 1S02. 

 The beginning of general culture of the tomato for market is 

 placed at about 1830. From this time up to the present, the 

 evolution of the tomato has been steady. From the flat, rough, 

 and angular tomatoes, beautiful^ round, regular fruits have 

 been developed. The Paragon variety was the first to be so 

 developed. Since then other superior varieties have come and 

 gone. One would think further improvement almost an impos- 

 sibility, but doubtless the advancement of the next ten years 

 will be as great, if not greater, than that of the last decade. 



