Large Red Tomato.
Large Red Tomato.
Fruit sometimes smooth, often irregular, flattened, more or less ribbed; size large, but varied much by soil and cultivation,—well-grown specimens are from three to four inches in diameter, two inches and a half in depth, and weigh from eight to twelve ounces; skin smooth, glossy, and, when ripe, of a fine red color; flesh pale-red, or rose-color,—the interior of the fruit being comparatively well filled; flavor good.
Not early, but one of the most productive of all the varieties; the plants, when properly treated, producing from twelve to fifteen pounds each.
From the time of the introduction of the Tomato to its general use in this country, the Large Red was almost the only kind cultivated, or even commonly known. The numerous excellent sorts now almost everywhere disseminated, including the Large Red, Oval, Fejee, Seedless, Giant, and Lester's Perfected, are but improved sub-varieties, obtained from the Common Large Red by cultivation and selection.
Large Red Oval-fruited Tomato.
A sub-variety of the Large Red. Fruit oval, flattened, much less ribbed, more symmetrical, and more uniform in size, than the last named; well-grown specimens measure about four inches in one direction, three inches in the opposite, and two inches in depth; skin fine, deep-red, smooth and shining; flesh paler, the interior of the fruit well filled with pulp, and, when cooked, yielding a large product in proportion to the bulk. Prolific and well flavored, but not early; ripening at the time of the Large Red.
The variety is exceedingly liable to degenerate, constantly tending towards the Large Red; and can only be maintained in its purity by exclusive cultivation, and a continued use of seeds selected from the fairest, smoothest, best ripened tomatoes, having the peculiar oval form by which the variety is distinguished.
Large Yellow.