Chapter XII · (continued 2)

Flesh pale-red, quite firm, mild, not very seedy, and well filling the fruit, which is considerably heavier than the Apple-shaped. When cooked, it yields a much greater product, in proportion to its size, than the last-named and similar hollow-hearted varieties. Productive, and of good quality.

Planted at the same time with the Common Red varieties, it will ripen about two weeks earlier. An excellent sort for the garden, and recommended for general cultivation.

In order to retain this or any other early variety in its purity, seed for planting should be saved from the smoothest, best formed, and earliest ripened fruit. Few of the numerous kinds now cultivated possess much permanency of character; and rapidly degenerate, if raised from seed taken from the scattered, irregular, and comparatively immature tomatoes remaining upon the plants at the close of the season.

Yellow Cherry-Tomato.

A yellow variety of the Red Cherry-tomato,—differing only in color.

Quite showy, but of little value for culinary purposes.

Yellow Pear-Shaped Tomato.

Yellow Fig-tomato.

A sub-variety of the Red Pear-shaped, with a clear, semi-transparent, yellow skin and yellow flesh. Like the preceding, it is little used except for preserving and pickling.

Yellow Plum-Tomato.

A variety of the Red Plum, of the same size and form, and equally symmetrical; distinguished only by the color of its skin, which is a fine, clear, transparent yellow. It is used principally for preserving; its small size rendering it comparatively valueless for use in any other form.

When the two varieties are intermixed, the colors present a fine contrast; and a basket of the fruit is quite a beautiful object.