THE tree tomato is widely dis-seminated over the earth and has attracted considerable attention in tropical and subtropical countries. Its value for commercial forcing in our northern houses is yet to be determined. It certainly possesses many promising features for this purpose, and is worth careful attention by those interested in supplying forced products.

The tree tomato is a native of South America, where over twenty other species of the same genus are known. It was long ago introduced into Ja-maica, whence it has been distributed to many parts of the world. It has therefore been called the tree tomato of Jamaica, and under this name Peter Henderson & Co., introduced it four or five years ago. It is perhaps unfortunate that the name tomato should have attached to it, as it is entirely unlike any tomato, and there is also a well known and legitimate tree tomato in our gardens. On the other hand, the fruit is used in much the same manner as tomatoes are used, and as it is tree-like in habit, the name is to a certain degree applicable. In Jamaica it is known as tree tomato, and sometimes as vegetable mercury, from some supposed medicinal virtues. In Spanish America it is known as tomato de la Pas. I once grew it from seeds from Peru, where it is known under the name of chileno tomato.

The tree is a perennial, coming into bearing the second year from the seed, and continuing to bear, in tropical countries, for eight or ten years, or even longer. The fruit is reddish and somewhat egg-shaped at maturity, and attains a length of two or two and a-half inches. It is eaten either raw or cooked, in much the same manner as a tomato or egg-fruit. The plant attains a height of ten or twelve feet, and is of decidedly handsome appearance.

In culture it succeeds well either from seeds or cuttings, demanding in house culture only a loamy soil and common treatment. I have found no difficulty in growing good specimens, by wintering under glass, and in getting flowers in profusion; but I have not obtained the fruit. The flowers would uniformly fail to set. Unfortunately, I had no facilities for house culture at that time, and could not test them for winter fruiting. I apprehend no difficulty in fruiting specimens during another winter.

In general character the plant is closely allied to the egg-plant, and other large fruited solanums.

Nicholson, in the Dictionary of Gardening, gives Solatium fragrans as a synonym for this cyphomandra, and gives its origin as South Brazil. The cu accompanying this (see page 409.) is adapted from a recent print in Le Jardin.

L. H. B.

(*) The following names have also been applied to this plant: Pionandra betacea, Miers Lond. Journ. Bot. 1845, 358. Solanum beteceum, Cavanilles, Icon. 6, p. 15, t. 524. 5. crassifolium, Ortega, Dec. 9, p. 117. .V. obliquum, Bertero, PI. Exs. n. 1125.