When he had a stable variety, he sold transplants for a dollar apiece and in six years paid off his mortgage. Or take 'Cherokee Purple', which dates to before 1890. About 10 years ago, Craig LeHoullier, a North Carolina chemist, got a letter and some tomato seeds from a stranger, J.D. Greene of Sevierville, Tennessee. Greene knew of LeHoullier's interest in heirlooms and thought these seeds worth trying. Most so-called purple tomatoes are actually pink, so LeHouillier was delighted to discover this one was truly purple, and delicious at that.
Heirlooms generally have more flavor than hybrids.
And when you find the ones you really love, you'll be able to taste them in your dreams. Darrell Merrell of Tulsa, Oklahoma, got into heirlooms when he was looking for tomatoes that tasted like the ones his parents grew. He describes 'Brandywine' as having the old-time taste he was seeking, a perfect blend of sweet and acid. I held it up and did a 360 jig right there in the row. Merrell gave up on hybrids three years ago.