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A tomato importer John Nix, decided to test the right to challenge the Tariff Act. His case on the fact that tomatoes are not fruits and vegetables, they alleged that should never be subjected to customs law. Nix objections brought the case before the Supreme Court in 1893. Although Nix had a solid case, the Supreme Court rejected the botanical facts and continue to refer to tomatoes as a vegetable.

plant family

Tomatoes belong to the genus Lycopersicon,while potatoes belong to the genus Solanum, both on the "same family of flowering plants is" the nightshade family. The similarities between the leaves and flowers justifies this taxonomic group.

The United Kingdom - the introduction of the tomato

When the tomato plant has been imported into the United Kingdom were the areas that are not ready, the fruit, they consumed to be toxic. Other plants that are toxic, and in the same family as tomatoes, as henbane, mandrake andbelladonna are reasons for concern.

belladonna (Belladonna Atropus), in particular, resembled more the tomato was used as a hallucinogenic drug, and cosmetic purposes in various parts of Europe. In Latin America, called "Bella Donna", literally means "beautiful woman". Women in medieval courts apply drops of extract of belladonna in their eyes, dilated pupils, a fashion statement at the time.

In fatalNightshade for its hallucinogenic effects were taken, would the consumer experience and a visual sensation of flying or gravity. German folklore suggests it was also used in witchcraft, werewolves remember, know, a practice that lycanthropy. The common name for tomatoes in Germany, has the effect of wolf fish, "which is simply another reason for Europeans, the system was avoided.

North America - the introduction of the tomato

tomato plants were transported by colonists from Englandin North America. The plants were the most popular for removing pustule (buttons, inflamed bladders - filled with pus, skin). The inventor of peanut butter, George Washington Carver, urged his poor neighbors consume tomatoes because of their poor diet Alabama. However, there has been little success convincing them that the plants were edible.

Early efforts by merchants to sell tomatoes have not been very successful. It is said that the fruits of liberal village of Salem, Massachusetts, was1802 by a painter who has also struggled to get people to try the fruit. New Orleans cuisine has been reported used tomatoes in 1812 ruled, however, doubts on fruit in some areas of their stay.

It is believed that the question of taste plant to rest, when Colonel Robert Gibbon Johnson announced that uses lots of tomatoes in front of the court in Boston at noon on September 26, 1820 thousands of spectators to watch the man committed suicide live(Or so they thought) by consuming the poisonous fruit. It is said that viewers shocked when they realized the Colonel survive after consuming numerous tomatoes. This story is an old farm journal and may not be very reliable, but is quite fun.

Popularity tomato upward

Throughout the Western world began to tomato growing in popularity. In 1820 included several cookbooks or recipe that called for tomatoes need. Tomatoeshave been sold to dozens of Boston Quincy Market in 1835. The catalog seed Thomas Bridgeman, four varieties of tomatoes were listed: Cherry, pear, pumpkin big and large.

Bruist, a seed merchant commented on tomato in 1858 - "In retrospect eighteen, there are no vegetables in the catalog that has gained such popularity in so short a time to the study. In 1828-1829 it was almost detested; almost ten years all varieties of pillPanacea and has been extracted from tomatoes. And 'now a vast area of land, such as cabbage is grown and the length and breadth of the country. "- Http: / / www.heirloomseeds.com

This year, eight had sounds cultivatars listed in its catalog. A few years later, in 1863, a catalog of seeds, of which 23 varieties were popular. One such variety was Trophy, the first modern appearance, tall, red, smooth-skinned variety, which was sold for $ 5.00 for a pack of 20 seeds.

GreatMeasure the characteristics of desirable breeding were common in 1870 in the United States and the United Kingdom. Indeed, in 1880 there were hundreds of varieties, and it was clear that tomato had grown on Western culture. A study by the Michigan Agricultural College in the late 1880s produced, 171 of these species represent only 61 unique varieties, many of which are only slightly different.

Heirloom varieties

Although Central America is assumed that theCenter of domestication, throughout Europe and later in North America, further domestication occurred on a deeper level. Eastern Europe seems to produce many varieties of high quality. Tomatoes are self pollinating plants which tend to be genetically homozygous after many generations. Tomatoes rarely cross breed and usually produce plants with characteristics similar to those of their parents.

With natural breeding of tomatoes, has not changed early varietiesmany in a family or community occurred over a long period, hence the name of heritage. There are varieties that date back more than one hundred years that are still produced today. Most heirloom varieties are a different color, size and shape. Some varieties are black, red with black shoulders, purple, green and rainbow. In terms of size, some as big as a cherry to larger varieties weighing over 2 pounds

Memorabilia - a story

Some heirloom varieties have interestingStories and, at least I think so. Talking about the history of a mutual inheritance Lifter name. The owner of a radiator shop, Charlie lived rough times, like most of the nation through the Great Depression. For financial reasons, many people abandoned their cars and businesses Ol Charlie in one shot. He took four largest fruit producing tomato plants to reproduce repeatedly cross each other in a factory to create the two booksFruit.

Reassuring that our plants could feed a family of six, Charlie peddled the crops for a dollar for every plant. Within four years, Charlie generated enough money to pay the mortgage $ 4,000 dollars on his house, which led to the legacy called "Mortgage Lifter.

Relics - names and home

In general, the names of heirloom varieties is directly linked to their history. For example, the Baptist family Remis, Fance cultivated varieties of choice. History of Picardieis also of France (1890). Besser arrived from the Freiburg section of Germany, while the castle preferred Schell came to the family castle near Schell Mannheim, Germany.

Elbe was cultivated in 1889 near the Elbe River in Germany. Since 1870, the Amish in Pennsylvania, the Amish Paste variety grown. Brandywine was also cultivated by Amish farmers near Brandywine Creek in Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1885. The hills of Virginia is considered to be the origin of the HillbillyDiversity. Old Virginia was cultivated in Virginia in early 1900. In 1953, Campbell Soup Co., introduced the series that Ace is still important for canning. The estate of Edgar Allen Poe, a species grows, named after his mother's maiden name, Hopkins.

Note that these stories may be true or false legacy, in part or in full, and may be inaccurate or exaggerated.

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