226 - [AsseMBiy — 
The results of our experiments with green ana ripe seed suggest 
that it may be possible to promote earliness in the tomato by the 
use of partially matured seed. | 
Does the position of a tomato in the cluster have any influence 
upon. its earliness or other qualities ? | 
As an experiment calculated to answer this question we planted 
the seeds from eight fruits of the same cluster in order, in the New 
Currant variety. That is we planted the seeds from the fruit next 
to the stem of the plant in the first row, the second from the stem 
In the second row, and so on to the eighth, or terminal fruit of the 
cluster. The results gave us no difference that we could ascribe to 
the position of the fruits. . 
Ls the Number of Cells in the Tomato influenced by Heredity. 
We noted in our last report that smoothness in the tomato seems 
to depend in a degree upon the number of cells in the fruit; those 
varieties in which the fruitis uniformly smooth, as in the Apple, Pear 
and Plum varieties, invariably having few cells. In order to see 
whether we can influence the number of cells, by selecting the few- 
est celled fruits, we saved seeds from a number of fruits of the 
Early Red Smooth variety, having only three cells each, and from 
others of the same variety having six or more cells. Plants from 
each selection of seed were grown side by side the past season with 
the following result : w 
To avoid confusion of terms, we designate the plants from the 
three-celled fruits as A, and those of the six-celled fruits as B. 
Fifty fruits gathered at random from A, averaged 4.26 cells each, 
and the same number from B averaged 4.40 cells each. The differ- 
ence, though slight, is in favor of the few celled fruits. We note 
further that while B had three fruits having eight cells each, and 
‘two having seven each, A had no fruits with eight cells, and but one 
with seven cells. The maximum number, therefore, which is the ex- 
treme that we assume that it is most desirable to reduce, was very 
perceptibly decreased. We purpose further experiments in this 
direction. ; 
How much ts gained in Larliness by starting Tomato Plants in 
the Hot-bed. 
We noted in our last report that tomato plants from self-sown 
seed ripened fruit’nearly as early as those started early in the hot- 
bed. In order to discover how much time is gained in securing ripe 
fruits by forcing the young plants, we planted a few seeds of the Liv- 
ingston’s Favorite tomato in hills, in the open ground, in the garden, 
April 24, placing about ten seeds in each hill. These had vegetated on 
May 12. No especial care was given the young plants, and they were 
not covered at any time to protect them from frosts. As they grew 
large enough to crowd each other, they were thinned to one plant in 
a hill, and afterward received exactly the same treatment as the’ 

