New Tomatoes. 281 



NEW TOMATOES. 



It is well known, that, within the past few years, an unusual interest has 

 been manifested in the introduction, culture, and improvement of the tomato, 

 by the cultivators of this universally-esteemed and wholesome vegetable. 

 Many new sorts have been produced, a large proportion of which will prob- 

 ably never be of much value for any purpose, except to swell the already- 

 overgrown catalogue of the seedsman with worthless kinds, which differ 

 only in name. Still we are pleased to note the increased attention being 

 paid to this popular vegetable, and hope it will continue; for it surely indi- 

 cates progress, and a determination to persevere till full success is achieved. 



In a tomato for general cultivation, several requisites are desirable; viz., 

 earliness, productiveness, size, uniform smoothness, with fine flavor, and 

 good keeping qualities : and just in proportion as these qualities prevail, 

 or are deficient, in any variety, is its value for general cultivation increased 

 or diminished. The variety known as the large early red has been the 

 most popular as well as the most profitable market-variety in this vicinity, 

 and is one of the varieties that combines the greatest number of desirable 

 qualities. Still, we may reasonably hope, among the kinds with which we 

 are now but partially acquainted, to find some that combine all these de- 

 sirable qualities in a greater degree than are found in any of those now 

 under general cultivation. 



Having, during the past season, made a trial of several of the varieties 

 recently introduced, for tiie purpose of testing their comparative merit, I 

 propose to give your readers who may be interested in the matter the re- 

 sult of my experience. With this view the present article is prepared, and 

 will be continued from time to time, if it meets your wishes, accompanied 

 by a drawing of the fruit of each variety described, as taken from the 

 growing plant, representing the average size. 



Maupay's Superior. — A new variety, originating with the Messrs. 8. 

 Maupay & Co. of Philadelphia, by crossing the old scarlet with the Fiji- 

 Island variety. The fruit is of a beautiful deep-red color; form round ; quite 

 thick through the centre, and generally without a rib or wrinkle ; although, 

 from some cause which I am unable to explain, the first fruit which set on 



VOL. II. 35 



