AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 09 



cultivated for its fruit in soups and sauces . . . and is also 

 stewed and dressed in various ways and very much admired."* 

 It was introduced into Salem, Mass., about 1802 by an Italiaa 

 painter Come, "but he found it difficult to persuade the people 

 even to taste the fruit. "f The general culture of the tomato for 

 market began about 1829. 



The history of the introduction of our common varieties is a 

 record of gradual change from the angular sorts of the Orangefield 

 and Hundred Day type to the smooth apple-shaped type of to-day. 

 The old Large Red of the earlier catalogues was followed in 1862 

 by Fiji Island and in 1864 by the Cook's Favorite. In 1866, Tilden 

 appeared and tiien in rapid succession Maupay, Keye's Extra Early, 

 Boston Market, General Grant, Trophy and Paragon. 



Paragon was the first of the round or apple- shaped varieties to 

 attain prominence, and its introduction gave a great impetus to the 

 culture of the tomato as a field crop. It was a triumph for the 

 application of correct principles of selection, for in the production 

 of this variety the habit of a whole plant rather than the character 

 of an individual fruit was considered. 



In 1880, Perfection appeared and during the next decade, 

 Favorite, Beauty, Dwarf Champion, Lorillard, Ignotum, and a host 

 of similar excellent varieties have been put forward, till it would 

 almost seem that further improvement may not be expected. 



II — Forcing Tomatoes in Winter. 



I have repeatedly called attention to the importance of the winter 

 forcing of fruits and vegetables in supplying a growing demand. 

 Each season during the past four years, we have grown with 

 uniform success many of the more promising varieties, and have 

 attempted to secure new strains and hybrids which would be of 

 special value for forcing. Methods of culture have also received 

 attention and the deductions here given are based on the most 

 careful study of the plants in all of their relations. 



General Cultural Notes. — Successful tomato culture under glass 

 depends fully as much on the man in charge as on conditions. 

 Eternal vigilance and the exercise of good judgment on the part of 

 the grower are more essential than strict adherence to set rules. 

 Strong bottom heat, plenty of light and a large volume of pure air 



*McMahon, Gard. Calemlar. 319. 



jFelt, Annals of Salem II, 031; cited by Manning, Hist. Mass. Ilort. Soc. 40. 



