Early Detroit No. 17 Tomato

70 days, indeterminate — The globe to oblate-shaped fruit weigh in the two to five ounce range, are pink colored, firm fleshed but reasonably juicy and have a good flavor with a slightly sweet finish.

We are still researching the exact history of this variety but do know the following. In 2003 we obtained samples from the USDA and trialed both 'Early Detroit' (GRIN accession number PI 355097) as well as this variety, 'Early Detroit No. 17' (GRIN accession number NSL 43543).  The were very similar but obviously different. Different enough that the D. M. Ferry Seed Company gave them different names when they released them in 1909^[1] and 1931 respectively.

Sadly, the USDA for whatever reason, has discontinued maintaining 'Early Detroit No. 17' incorrectly stating that it is a "duplicate" of 'Early Detroit'. We are doing our best to keep it available to our gardening friends, but if this is one of your favorite varieties, you may want consider saving seed. Each packet contains approximately 20 seeds.