Mortgage Lifter tomato and it's story.......

I planted a mortgage lifter this year because it produces giant tomatoes; however, because of the high temperatures in Phoenix, large type tomatoes are subject to crack and have a hard time growing to their "potential." BUT I am trying (again ) to grow these fabulous types. I love the story of how this tomato got it's name and hope you will enjoy it as well.

The Mortgage Lifter tomato was developed in the early 1930's in Logan, West Virginia by a radiator repairman, M.C. "Radiator Charlie" Byles. Without any experience in breeding, he made a successful cross of four of the largest tomatoes he could find - German Johnson, Beefsteak, an Italian variety, and an English variety. Radiator Charlie sold the first seedlings of his new tomato in the 1940's for one dollar each to customers who drove up to 200 miles for his famous plants that bore tasty tomatoes averaging two and a half pounds. With these sales, Charlie managed to pay off his $6,000 mortgage in only six years, and so the tomato was named Mortgage Lifter.