TOMATOES. 
The Tomato is more generally used in America than in any country in the world. The 
amount consumed seems wonderful, especially when we consider how brief the time since its first 
introduction as an article of diet. Almost every one likes it, and most persons regard it as a 
great luxuiy ; but the Tomato is so slow perfecting its fruit that it is quite after the middle of 
summer, and at the end of most people's patience, before the ripened fruit can be enjoyed. To 
obtain early varieties, therefore, is the great desire of all, and it is no strange thing to have varie- 
ties advertised as two weeks earlier than any other kind, that are entirely worthless in all respects, 
not even having the merit of earliness. We are satisfied that Hubbard's Curled Leaf is the ear- 
liest Tomato grown, and this is its only merit, for it is small and far from being smooth. The 
plant is small and will bear close planting, the leaves curling as if wilted. Gen. Grant is an 
excellent early Tomato, about ten or twelve days later than the Curled Leaf, but Hathaway' s 
Excelsior is as early as Gen. Grant, and the best Tomato we are acquainted with. It received a 
certificate of merit from the Royal Horticultural Society of England, is pronounced by the press 
of Europe the best variety produced, and is everywhere popular. It is smooth, solid, of good 
flavor, excellent color and productive. Pinching off a portion of the side branches, and stopping 
others beyond where the fruit is formed, hastens the ripening very much. To obtain plants early, 
sow seed in the hot-bed early in March. In about five weeks they should be transplanted to 
another hot-bed, setting them four or five inches apart. Here they should remain, having all the 
air possible, and becoming hardened, until about the middle of May, when they may be put out 
in the ground ; that is, if there is no danger of frost. Very good plants can be grown in boxes 
in the house, starting them even in the kitchen. Those, of course, who live in a southern clime 
will be spared a good deal of this care. The soil for early Tomatoes should not be too rich, and 
a warm, sheltered location selected, if possible. The Tomato may be made very pretty by train- 
ing on a fence or trellis, like a grape-vine. No plant will better bear trimming. We have tested 
hundreds of varieties of Tomatoes in our grounds during the past ten years. Every season we 
put on trial every new kind we can obtain from any source, and feel quite competent to speak on 
the subject. Still, we can judge well of the influence of soil and climate only as we receive 
reports from our friends in different sections of the country. 
The engraving, fig. 1, represents the Cherry Tomato, useful only for pickling; 2, Persian Yel- 
low ; 3, Hathaway; 4, Gen. Grant; 5, Early Smooth Red; 6, Curled Leaf. All are, of course, 
very much reduced in size, though very well representing the form and characteristics of each. 
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