TOMATOES 433 



The cherry type. The cherry tomato is somewhat similar to the 

 currant type in habit of growth, though it is more robust and has 

 larger foliage. The individual fruits of the large clusters are much 

 larger than the currant variety, having a diameter of from \ to 

 | inch, and in some extreme cases, | inch. The smooth, spherical 

 fruits of these two classes are usually two-celled and very regular 

 in size and shape. 



The commercial type. The plant of the commercial tomato is 

 more robust in growth than either the currant or the cherry type. 

 The most characteristic and probably the normal habit of the plant 

 is spreading, with large open, compound leaves and comparatively 

 small, flat, or somewhat rolled, leaflets. It may, however, be up- 

 right in habit with large, much-wrinkled leaves, giving it a very 

 compact and sturdy appearance, as in the Dwarf Champion group. 

 In another group, known as the potato leaf, the leaflets are large 

 and flat, but quite pubescent, giving the plant a luxuriant appear- 

 ance. The normal and most characteristic form of the tomato has 

 a decumbent habit of growth and open compound leaves with 

 comparatively small leaflets or subdivisions. 



From these facts it is evident there is more than one species, 

 and that within the species there is marked variation. The varia- 

 tions are carried out in the form and color of the fruit and leaves 

 as well as in the habit of the plant. The different types vary in 

 color from the deep red of the Cherry through various shades to 

 the purple of the Beauty and the yellow of the Golden Queen. 

 The form of the fruit varies from the spherical type of the Cur- 

 rant and Cherry to pyriform and turbinated, and from the broad, 

 flat Beefsteak type to the globular, regularly formed fruits of the 

 Stone, Beauty, and Perfection. 



Cultivation. Because of the tropical origin of the tomato, it 

 requires a long season for growth and development, and, in the 

 Northern states, to secure paying crops it is necessary to resort to 

 schemes for lengthening the growing season. It is much easier for 

 the gardener to control the growth of the plant while it is small 

 than when it is large and established in the field ; therefore, the 

 season is lengthened at the beginning rather than at the end. 

 Moreover, early fruits are, as a rule, more valuable than late ones, 

 and it is of advantage to the gardener to secure his crop as early 



