454 VEGETABLE GARDENING 



647. Varieties change so rapidly from year to year that 

 it is scarcely worth while to do more than mention the 

 names of varieties prominent today, but which may not 

 be known 10 years from now. There are exceptions, as 

 the Stone, but the probabilities are that even this stand- 

 ard variety of such splendid qualities will ultimately be 

 replaced by a superior one. Four-fifths of the varieties 

 suggested in this discussion were not offered by Amer- 

 ican seedsmen 10 years ago. The grower, therefore, 

 should be on the lookout for improved varieties, scanning 

 the catalogs annually and securing sample packets of 

 seeds of the most promising for testing in comparison 

 with the old, reliable sorts. 



Some markets have a preference for red tomatoes, 

 while others want purple. Again, it often occurs that there 

 is a demand for fruits of both colors upon the same market. 



EARLY VARIETIES 



Earliana is very much the best-known early variety 

 in America, being grown probably more extensively than 

 all other early varieties combined. Extreme earliness, 

 great productiveness, bright-red color, large size and 

 high quality for an early tomato are the points that have 

 gained for it such wide popularity. As the strains of 

 this variety show great variation too much care cannot 

 be exercised in procuring seed of the best, whether pur- 

 chased or grown at home. 



Bonny Best, introduced only a few years ago, practi- 

 cally as early as Earliana, is regarded superior by some 

 successful growers. The fruit is red, solid, of good size. 

 The plants are very productive. 



Chalk Jewel has been a most valuable acquisition. It 

 is a week to 10 days later than Earliana, but the plants 

 are stronger and more resistant to blight. The variety 

 is planted extensively in many sections. The fruits are large, 

 red in color and remarkably smooth and uniform in shape, 



