100 VEGECULTURE 



drastic removal of foliage. If some of the leaves are too large, 

 and make too much shade, cut half the leaf away. Should the 

 month of August pass withcmt ripe fruit being gathered, it will 

 be advisable to pinch out the leader at a couple of leaves beyond 

 the last bunch of fruit. It is only in exceptionally favourable 

 seasons that fruit results from flowers opening after August. 



Varieties of the Tomato are legion, and are continually being 

 added to. I will mention those with well-established reputa- 

 tions. They include, for indoor work : Early Ruby, Earliest 

 of All, Holmes' Supre-me, Button's Perfection, Frogmore Selected, 

 Kondine Red, Favourite, Tresco, etc. (The last-named is a 

 very prolific variety of recent introduction ; but, in my opinion, 

 it illustrates one of those instances of over-strain in the effort 

 to produce extraordinary results in cropping or size, for I have 

 found that the Tresco, although growing enormously and 

 quickly, and forming bunches of blossom as large as a man's 

 head, not one-half of these will set fruits. The plants therefore 

 take up extra room and nourishment without giving additional 

 produce. My experience is backed by that of several acquaint- 

 ances who have tried the Tresco. We may have been unfor- 

 tunate in lack of sunshine during the seasons under our observa- 

 tion ; yet I think the Tresco Tomato has too great a burden to 

 bear.) Outdoor sorts may be safely said to include many of 

 those usually grown under glass ; it is merely a question of 

 situation, prevailing weather, and good culture. Holmes' Open 

 Air and a few others are suitable sorts. 



The Yellow Tomato should receive better attention ; its 

 appearance and flavour, and ease of culture are all in its favour. 

 The best kinds include : Golden Nugget, Golden Jubilee, 

 Chiswick Peach, Golden Queen ; and there are many American 

 varieties worthy of British consideration. 



I have just room to mention some Tomato novelties. One 

 is the " Cherry" Tomato, a small-fruiting plant, carrying about 

 twenty bunches of fruit, of about eight or twelve, one inch 

 or so in diameter. A splendid mid-season Tomato, providing 

 abundance of small but good dessert fruits. The " Red 

 Currant " Tomato cannot be recommended for edible purposes, 

 but is extremely ornamental grown upon trellises, etc. The 

 " Pear-shaped" or " Fig " Tomato is a very vigorous and early 

 variety, and should receive attention. There are many pear- 

 shaped kinds grown in the south of Italy ; but I can find only 

 one British-grown variety Nisbett's Victoria and seeds of 

 this are probably unobtainable. On the whole, there are too 



