Smyrna times., 1894-01-17
Highest of all in Leavenng Powcr-Iatcst u S. Govt Report
RH!A!:!!.I! q! BskiRs Bs&5es2
ABSOLUTELY PURE
The Tomato Crop.
KENT COUNTY MD. FARMERS GIVE TT
EARNEST AND PRACTICAL
DISCUSSION.

Because of the constantly in creasing
importance of the tomato crop TO the
Kent county farmer it is today being
more generally discussed in its phases
OF culture, handling and profit than
any other crop grown in the country.
The Chester Alliance at it's .ast meet.
ing appointed committee to report
relative to the comparative profits of
corn, wheat and tomatoes. The com.
mittee will tomorrow make public the
following interesting reports of per
sonal experiences:
Mr.. Dodson stated that in growing
tomatoes he had first brOadcasted man
ure as for corn, afterward using about
l67 pounds of fertilizer per acre SOW
ing one handful to three hills. Did not
think the cost of growing tomatoes
exceeded that for corn, except in sett
ing out plants and getting a good
stand. Average returns from crop $4S
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., f. Morris used new ground
SoWed some fertilizer in each hill
Season wet and rather favorable. To
matoes were worked but little more
than corn. Yield $40 per acre.
Mr.. Stewart used clover sod: no
manure; a little phosphate in the rows;
average $50 per acre. Mr.. Stewart
planted too late and advises an early
planting as possible-not later than
May %.
Mr.. NewcOmb: Cut-woYm is often
very destructive when sod is used, and
advises against it. He uses manure
and phosphate in the hill. Advises
early planting and the use of spade in
setting out plants.
Mr.. Walter Morris averaged $50 per
acre from three years planting. Says
baskets should be looked after sharply.
as their loss constitutes large item of
expense.
Mr.. Ford set IL acres of tomatoes in
clover sod or stubble ground. Planted
about June 10, and averaged $27 per
acre. Had previous year 2! acres in
stock ground, and did not experience
any trouble with cut-worm.
Mr. John Bell His average returns
from tomatoes for several years were
S33 per acre. He uses manure, as on
corn land, and sows fertilizer in the
hills: has planted both in sod and stalk
ground, and notices no difference.
Mr.. Parks, of Parks & Carroll, is re-
ported to have grown - tons of toma.
toes per acre. This at Sc per ton
would bring $72 per acre, but he had
to haul 6! miles to the cannery.
THUS it will be seen nine growers
averaged $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 that an equitable division of the re
turns would give the landlord one
third, the tenant twO-thirds, thus the
cOmpensating the latter for his extra
outlay in setting out the plants, for the
extra cost of working, and for picking
the product and hauling to mark ct. Il
was also pointed out that the tenant
does not in growing tomatoes max {
any fodder, as in crop of corn, mol
straw for bedding and manure as il
growing wheat, and while there is an
apparent difference, the tenant derive!
no zeal advantage in growing tomatoe.
other than that shared by the landlord