It's History

On the history of the tomato, Dr. Reese, of the Cyclopedia, says, "It is a native of South America-a tender annual, cultivated in England ever since Gerarde's time, for the sake of its large, variously-shaped scarlet or orange fruit, which many people esteem as a great luxury, etc. In the hotter parts of Europe, the tomato has more atidity [acidity] and briskness of flavor, and is, therefore, more welcome in such climates. It has also the reputation of being stimulant, or aphrodisiacal [aphrodisiac]." Mr. Thomas, in writing on the subject, says: "it is generally admitted that the tomato is indegenous [indigenous] to South America; but under what circumstances it has been found there, I have not learned. The year 1596 has been fixed on for its introduction into England, where it was cultivated by Gerarde. Some late traveller [traveler] in the interior of Africa (I cannot recollect whether Clapperton or Lander,) mentions its cultivation there; but this is only to be received as testimony of its excellence, and not of its origin." Professor Rafinesque says, "this fine vegetable was early introduced into Europe by the Spaniards, and scattered all over it, particularly France and Italy, where it is quite a common vegetable." From all that I have been able to collect relative to the history of the tomato, from a careful perusal of all the authorities, I have come to the following conclusions: 1st. That all its varieties are indigenous to South America, 2nd. That the vera tonilosa, vera globosa, and others, are indigenous to Asia as well as South America. 3rd. That the aurea difformis and some others, are natives of Europe as well as the other countries, 4th. That the aurea spherica, vera depressa, and others, are natives of Africa as well as the other divisions of the earth; and 5th. That the lycopersicum celatiforme, at all events, and probably some other species, are indigenous to North America, as well as the other sections of the Globe. This opinion is not an impromptu, but has been arrived at upon a circumstantial examination of all the most accurate writers on the subject, from the days of Merculialis down to the present period of time: and is not, therefore, a mere question of meum and taum between myself and other moderns, but an opinion that must and will obtain with the profession at large. W. Haile, in the Southern Agricaluralist [Agriculturist], says: "I tender you for acceptance a few seeds of the Mississippi tomatoes. They are found bordering on the Mississippi swamp spreading an unusual length, forming a beautiful vine, ornamental; and the seed growing in clusters resembling grapes. The testimony

of Mr. Haile is truly pertinent, and goes far to sustain my position: for that the Mississippi tomato is the lycopersicum ceratiforme, there can be no question. I am clearly of the opinion that there is no portion of the world, especially warm climates, where the tomato is not indigenous in some of its varieties of species, and that a general interchange of the varieties has taken place between almost all the nations of the earth.