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en one sample of the Trophy, and eleven days earlier ‘than the 
_ other. 
‘We noted the fact that as the rule, smooth tomatoes have few cells, 
and conversely, that many-celled tomatoes are rough. The number 
of cells often varies in the fruits on the same plant, as does also the 
smoothness of the fruits. These facts suggest that in order to secure 
smooth fruit we should select for seed those which have few cells. 
As evidence in favor of this suggestion, we note that fruits of the 
Acme tomato are invariably smooth, and the number of cells in this 
variety rarely exceed four. The Cherry, the Currant and Apple toma- 
toes are also invariably smooth and rarely have more than two cells. 
September 29th we carefully counted the number of fruits that were 
affected with the tomato rot, on one plant of each so-called variety. 
The results obtained are noted in the right hand column of the table. 
It is not supposed that one plant will show the actual relative amount. 
of decay in the different varieties, though we think the figures repre. 
sent a fair index of it. A few varieties are noted as showing no de- 
cayed fruits. We found, however, upon careful examination of all of 
the plants of these varieties that an occasional affected fruit appeared. 
Even those varieties that seemed rot-proof last year were more or less 
affected. 
We noted during the latter part of the season that the foliage of 
the tomato plants was attacked by a blight or mildew. In general 
terms, the amount of this blight was proportionate to the amount of 
decay. ‘Thus, the leaves of the Early York, Great Chihuahua, and 
Little Gem varieties, were much blighted, especially those of the Great 
Chihuahua. 
The fruits of the tomato vary so much, that the study of synonyms 
is extremely difficult. We found the President Garfield and Great 
Chihuahua exactly similar in appearance, though the latter proved 
several days earlier than the former. The same may be said of the 
Acme and Essex Early Hybrid. ‘The seeds planted under the names 
Early Red Smooth, Early Round Red Smooth, Extra Harly Red, 
Large Red and Large Red Smooth Round, show very slight differences 
in appearance or time of maturity, and are probably but one variety. 
The limit of variation is so broad, that one season’s study is not suf- 
ficient to determine the synonyms. . 
As will appear from the table, we also grew three varieties, or, more 
accurately, three species of Alkekengi or Strawberry Tomato. Strictly 
speaking, these are not tomatoes at all, as they belong to a different 
botanical genus from the tomato. The small globular fruits are in- 
closed in a peculiar thin membranous, inflated, angular covering, 
which is the expanded calyx of the flower. The plants which are 
sometimes found growing wild, are low, very spreading and exceed- 
ingly prolific. 
The fruits are known under various names, as Strawberry Tomato, 
Winter Cherry, Ground Cherry, Barbadoes Gooseberry, Mexican 
Tomato, etc. 
The three species grown were identified as Physalis edulis, P. Phil- 
adelphicum and P. viscosa. 
