IOO TOMATO CULTURE 



branches, with usually large and sometimes very 

 large clusters of fruit produced chiefly near the cen- 

 ter of the plant and which mature early and all to- 

 gether. Plants of this type will often mature their 

 entire crop and die by the time those of the first type 

 have come into full crop. The Atlantic Prize (Fig. 

 33) and Sparks Earliana are examples of this type. 



In sharp contrast with the above is the tomato De 

 Laye, often called Tree tomato. This originated about 

 1862 in a garden at Chateau de Laye, France. In this 

 the plant rarely exceeds 18 inches in hight, is single- 

 stemmed or with few very short branches, the nodes 

 very short, the fruit clusters few and small. From 

 this, by crossing with other types, there has been de- 

 veloped a distinct class of dwarf tomatoes which are 

 of intermediate form and character and are well rep- 

 sented by the Dwarf Champion (Fig. 34). Early ma- 

 turity is sometimes the most important consideration of 

 all, though, because of increasing facilities for ship- 

 ping from the South, it is less commonly so than for- 

 merly. For shipping and canning it is generally, 

 though not always, desirable that the crop mature as 

 nearly together as possible, that it may be gathered 

 with the fewest number of pickings and advantage 

 taken of a favorable market; while for the home 

 garden and market a longer season is desirable. 



Foliage. Abundant, broad and close, or scanty 

 cut and open foliage is sometimes of importance, ac- 

 cording to whether the location, season and other con- 

 ditions make it desirable that the foliage protect the 

 fruit from the sun or admit the sunlight, with as 

 little obstruction as possible, to the center of the plant. 



