Quarter Century, Burpee’s AKA Burpee’s Quarter Century. Introduced in 1896 by the horticultural editor of The Rural New Yorker,Dr. Walter Van Fleet of Monmouth County, New Jersey. It was introduced and supplied to growers in 1900 by W. Atlee Burpee & Company. In 1901 it was named ‘Quarter Century’ in celebration of the company’s 25th anniversary. ‘Quarter Century’ appeared as a sport in the 3rd generation from a cross between ‘Lorillard’, a bright scarlet fruit, and ‘Dwarf Champion’, a pinkish-red fruit, dwarf.
Compact, indeterminate, dwarf (tree-type) 4-5′ tall, regular leaf rugose foliage plants produce heavy yields of 2-10 oz., small to medium, red, solid, round, oblate, fruits that have meaty, juicy flesh. Delicious, rich, sweet, well-balanced flavors. Suited to growing in pots. The 1909 catalog states, “Owing to its compact, erect habit, the plants can be set quite closely together.” 90 days

Culinary Use

Paste / Sauce / Canner / Salad

Flavor Profile

Sweet

Flesh Color

Red

Fruit Color

Red

Fruit Shape

Oblate

Fruit Size

Large / Medium

Leaf Type

Regular / Rugose

Maturity

Late / Mid-season

Plant Type

Indeterminate / Rugose Dwarf

Species

Solanum lycopersicum

Variety

Heirloom / Open Pollinated