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. 
