The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-05-04
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THE ROT AMONG EARLY TOMA-
TOES.

In sections OF the country where early
chief trouble is the rot, and very frequently
serious loss is occasioned. The real cause
of this rot is difficult to ascertain, and a
remedy even more difficult We have
speculation enough about the matter, but
that hardly helps the farmer unless it
materiaizes into something definite.
From my own experience | have found
that tomato plants set out in new soil
where ii tomato crop was never before raised
are rarely if ever attacked by this disease
Sometimes if the tomato plants are obtained
from growers where the rot is prevalent the
crop on the new land is injured. The
largest tomatoes begin to rot in the centre
just before ripening, and this spoils their
sale 50 that 1t is difficult to dispose of them
at all.
sometimes one season will be sufficient
to infect the soil, and the second crop NAV
be entirely spoiled. The only safe way is
not to plant the crop twice in succession in
the same field 1t is even better to let two
seasons at least pass before planting on the
old patch. On light soils the rot is more
prevalent, and stays longer, than upon
heavy clay lands. The latter seem to
be less affected by the rot any way.
1t is very discouraging to amateurs or
new beginners, to have the early crop of
tomatoes ruined tor this is the most profit
able. a great many have become dis
couraged in the undertaking. Remedies
Tor the rot have been recommended to them
and | have seen neighboIs use various mix
lures without avail. very similar ex-
pcrience has been encountered with the
potato rot. The only simple, and absolutely
sure, system was to select "A new field tar
from the old one for the next crop OF toma-
toes, and then after two or three seasons
the old field could be planted again. The
through the severest winter, but after
Year OF two they die out probably through
the lack OF sufficient nourlshment. If we
can starve the germs i'll this way it should
be Systematically done on every farm. 1t
does not follow that the land must remain
idle. The germs OF the rot that will attack
the tomatoes and potatoes will have no effect
at all upon the corn and wheat plants.
Nearly any OF our other vegetables can be
nl1nrt.N a a. m ~, ti.I a..
has despoled crop. In fact, the tomato
and potato are 50 different in their origin
that these two crops can be planted inter
changeably on the same patch
The question OF how long it takes to
etlace all signs of Infection has not vet been
decided. / have seen it attack an early
crop alter two years of rest, and it may be
that three years will not entirely suffice.
In purchasing plants one cannot be too
particular about lnqulnng into their
origin, and the nature of the ground they
were raised in. y great many times the
crop is ruined because the plants were
raised III the same soil that tomatoes had
been cultivated in Tor half dozen seasons.
Ii the rot is really il nuisance try ialsing
your own plants. Select, if necessary,
some entirely new ground, and start them
there, or ill the fencing box with soil OBJ
tanned tar from the old tomato patch.
Little trouble will then be experienced
from the tomato rot.