266 VEGETABLE FORCING 
will mature just as large and as good a crop in several 
weeks less time than a later variety, the cost of produc- 
tion will be materially less and profits proportionately 
larger. With an early-maturing variety, the house can 
be used later in the spring for lettuce or radishes, and 
have sufficient time to mature tomatoes for the June and 
July markets. 
When tomatoes are cheap, the markets will take fruits 
of large size, but when they retail at 30 cents or more a 
pound, small specimens are desired. At midwinter, when 
maximum prices prevail, the fruits are generally used for 
salad, and usually cut into thin slices. The tendency, 
therefore, is to grow fruits that range from three to four 
ounces in weight for winter sales and larger sizes for the 
fall and early summer trade. When tomatoes are selling 
at 8 to 12 cents a pound wholesale, it is seldom that 
there is any complaint about their being too large. Some 
growers select varieties which, under ordinary condi- 
tions, yield fruit of small size, but by liberal fertilizing 
and the best cultural conditions produce specimens that 
are medium to large in size. It is especially important 
that the fruits run uniform in size. 
The most popular forcing varieties produce globular 
fruits. They should be regular in shape and free from 
sutures. The color is almost wholly a matter of market 
preference. Most markets prefer bright red tomatoes, 
though there are many exceptions. The brilliant scarlet 
shades are somewhat more showy than the pink or 
purple colors. The flesh should be firm, tender, fine in 
texture, juicy and of good quality. The skin should not 
be subject to cracking. 
The testing of varieties is such a simple proposition 
that every commercial grower should satisfy himself by 
tests in his own houses that he is using the variety which 
is best for his particular market and conditions. He 
should be on the alert for improved varieties or strains, 
