DEVELOPMENT OF WILT-RESISTANT TOMATOES. 15 



Table 7 shows the effect of resistance on yield. Because of its wilt 

 resistance, the Marvel was able to produce a much better crop than 

 the Bonny Best. There is probably no more productive tomato than 

 the Bonny Best when grown in an environment free from disease, 

 but like most other tomato varieties it is susceptible to wilt and can 

 not produce a heavy crop on wilt-infested soil; in fact, when the 

 soil is heavily infested by wilt it produces very little fruit. The 

 resistant varieties are so lightly attacked by wilt that they are hardly 

 affected by it. 



In regard to their wilt resistance, Swingle says: 



There was a wonderful difference in vitality between the resistant and non- 

 resistant varieties. All the latter were practically dead before the end of the 

 season and consequently did not mature all their fruit. The resistant varieties 

 were all still green on July 25 when pulled up. 



In some rows the resistant varieties were planted at the ends; in 

 others in the middle. Although the resistant varieties were still 

 green when pulled up, the others were so dry they could be lighted 

 with a match. 



ORIGIN AND DESCRIPTION OF WILT-RESISTANT VARIETIES. 



The Marvel is a selection from Merveille des Marches (Marvel 

 of the Market), a French variety sold by Vilmorin-Andrieux <£ Co., 

 Paris, France. Before it was named it was distributed for trial as 

 F 59. The Marvel and F 59 are therefore the same variety. 



Under favorable conditions the Marvel produces a heavy crop of 

 medium-early smooth red fruit, similar in size, shape, and smoothness 

 to the fruit shown in Plate IX, figure 1. It usually sets a great many 

 fruits and continues to bear heavily long after most early varieties 

 are dead. 



It is highly resistant to tomato wilt and possesses a little resistance 

 to tomato leaf-spot (Septoria lycopersici) . 



It is an excellent variety for forcing, for medium-early trucking, 

 and for home gardening. Its wonderful vitality of vine, its relative 

 freedom from diseases, and its superior fruit for use in the fresh 

 state make it an excellent tomato for all-round use. 



Variety very productive, medium early, long bearing, highly resistant to 

 tomato wilt (Fusarium lycopersici), somewhat resistant to leaf-spot (Septoria, 

 lycopersici) and to leaf-mold (Cladosporium fulvum). 



Plant medium large, erect, vigorous ; branches many, long, medium stout ; 

 internodes long. 



Foliage type, standard ; 7 leaves large, deeply divided, smooth, dark green, 

 shading the fruit. 



Flowers large; fruit cluster small, many, scattered. 



7 In making comparisons three types of foliage were used, viz, standard, potato leaf, 

 and Dwarf Champion. 



