Democratic messenger., 1894-01-20
THE TOMATO CROP.
Seriously Discussed by a Large
Meeting of Kent County,
Md. Farmers.

OHESTERTOWS, MD, Jan. lU, ,--BI
cause OF the constantly Increasing i'm,
portance of the tomato crop 10 the
Kent county farmer it is TO day being
more generally discussed in its phases
OF culture, handling and profit than
any other crop grown in the county
The Chester Alliance at its last meet
ing appointed a committee to report
relative to the comparative profits o.
corn, wheat and tomatoes. The com
mittee make public the following
interesting report Of personal exper-
ience
Mr.. Dawson stated that in growing
tomatoet he had first broaicasteCl
manure, as for corn, afterwarl using
about l67 pounds of fertilizer per
acre, sowing one handful to three
hills. Did not think the cost of grow
ing tomatoes exceeded that for corn.
except in setting out plants and get
ting a good stand. Average returns
from crop, SIS per acre.
Mr.. Vansant planted tomatoes on
new ground. Weather very dry; diff
cult to get stand. Average yield
from four acres $40 per acre.
Mr.. T.. Morris used new ground.
Sowed some fertilizer in each hill.
Season wet and rather favorable.
Tomatoes were worked but little more
than corn. Yield $40 per acre.
Mr.. Stewart used clover sod; no
manure; little phosphate in the rows;
average $50 per acre. Mr.. Stewart
planted too late and advises an early
planting as po<sible-not later than
Nav 25th.
Mr.. Newcomb Cut-worm is often
very destructive when sod is used, and
advises against it. He uses manure
and phosphate in the hill. Average
return for three years s39 per acre
Advises early planting and the use
Of spade in setting out plants.
Mr.. Walter Morris averaged s50
per acre from three years planting
Says baskets should he looked after
sharply, as their loss constitutes Il
large item of expense.
Mr.. Ford set II acres of tomatoes
in clover sod or stubble ground
Planted about June 10th, and aver
aged s27 per acre. Had previous year
y acres in stock ground. and did moi
experience any trouble with cut-worm
Mr.. John Bell: His average return.
from tomatoes for several years were
s33 per acre. lie uses manure. as OF
corn land, and sows fertilizer in the
hills; has planted both in sod and
stalk ground and notices no difference
Mr.. Parks Of Parks n Carroll, i.
reported To have grown II tons o
tomatoes per acre. This at 80 per tor
would bring s72 per acre, but he had
to haul g. miles to cannery.
Thus it will be seen nine grower.
averaged s40.40 per acre.
After discussion at the last meeting
regarding the proportion OF expenses
and returns to landlord and tenant, il
was given as the sense of the meeting
that the landlord should furnish hal
the fertilizer and half the plants used
and thrt an equitable division Of th'
returns would give the landlor,! one
third, the tenant two-thir,ls, thus com
pensating the latter for his additional
outlay in setting out the plants. fol
the extra cost of working. and fol
picking the product and hauling it t
market. 1t was also pointed out tha
the tenant in growing tomatoes doe
not make any fodder, rs in crop o
corn, nor straw for bedding an,
manure rs in growing wheat, an,
while there is an apparent difference
the tenant derives no real advantage
in growing tomatoes other than tina
shared by the landlord.