Re[2]: [tomato] Difference of opinion
Kim Van Scoy (Tomato@GlobalGarden.com)
Fri, 9 Oct 1998 03:23:13 -0500
While I'm sure we all agree that we grow tomatoes because we like the
way they taste there are some other important reasons for growing
heirlooms. First and foremost when you grow heirlooms you can save
your own seeds. Done over long periods of time, you select for plants
which do especially well in your garden, not just the ones that do well in
controlled test beds. ( I don't know about the rest of you tomatoe lovers
but my garden is definitely not controlled most of the time, I'm so far
behind it doesn't bare thinking about right now). By preserving your own
seeds you are in fact preserving our heritage and helping to preserve the
genetic seed bank. Lifting a line from an old Chuck Wyatt post "81% of the tomato
varieties available in 1903 have become extinct due to the marketing tactics of the
Petro/Chemical conglomerates that have bought out or run out the regional seedsmen".
Yeah some folks are fanatics about heirlooms (me for one) but there are some pretty
good reasons to be. If anyone is interested in learning more about genetic diversity
in food crops I'd be happy to make some suggestions about readings but don't want
to bore everyone as many of you know more than I. I guess if you really do think hybrids
taste better, enjoy them, but I would suggest finding atleast one heirloom you like (and
with the hundreds of varieties that exist it isn't hard) and trying your hand at seed saving.
I bet you'll enjoy it!
Kim