The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-22

sorts might be mentioned, but it seems
that the best should be good enough, and
it is not good plan to try growing too
many varieties.
Profits Of the Tomato Crop.
Let us first notice the profits Of the to-
mato crop when grown for early markets.
We have shown that 1t is possible to
grow as much as six hundred bushels per
acre vet we find that the average yield
is far below this. and so We have to fig
ure on a crop of about three hundred
bushels per acre. These should bring at
least "a per bushel, which would be S120
per acre. Now, allowing half the gross
returns for the expenses, We would have
a net balance of $50 per acre.
This. however, is very conservative
estimate, for the first early fruit often
sells as high as thirty cents per dozen,
which would be about $40 per bushel 50
that a well managed crop of early toma-
toes would net the grower anywhere
from $50 to $3.50 per acre. The writer saw
one car of tomatoes sell for thirty cents
per dozen fruits, and this is often the
case, that a few of the first early fruits
will pay all the expense of growing the
crop. But here comes in another very
important matter in the growing of toma-
toes which IL carried out will add ma
terially TO the profits of the crop.
Usually after the first fruits are ship
ped the crop becomes cheap and much
fruit is left to so to waste. Now, II 1t
were only possible 10 combine the grow
ing for shipment with that o, the grow
Ing for canning purposes, much more
could be realized from the crop.
This is matter which we now have
under consideration, and one we hope to
accomplish, and one which certainly
would suit all parties Interested The plan
Is his: To have the farmers make their
acreage large enough so that they may
ship while the price is high and will JUS
tify shipping, and when the price drops
as 1t always does to where there is no
pay in shipping then turn the remainder
of the crop over to the Gamers. On inter-
viewing a number of Gamers we learn
from them that 1t is only a dead expense
for them to rig up their machinery for
canning a few bushels of early tomatoes
and all the Gamers with whom we
have talked are willing that ,neir
growers should sell the first fruits that
get ripe and thus relieve them of the ex-
pensc of starting up their plants before
there is a sufficient crop to keep them
going. Now another great advantage,
which the Gamers would gain by this
plan is this they would not nave 50
much complaint from their growers
about growing for starvation wages for
If the grower could feel that he had got
! ten his pay out of the sales of his early
or sell the remainder OF his crop to the
Gamer at a price which would give the
Gamer a profit on his work also.
From a careful study of this question
and from observation as well as practi-
cal experience along this line, the writer
is confident that some such arrangement
of this sort will have to be effected In
order for the Gamers to secure crops SUIT
ficient to Justify them I'm investing in
canncries So we recommend this mutual
arrangement for the careful consideration
of both the grower and the Gamer. and
hope to see them get together on some
such plan.
However, at the price which canhers
are now paying for the growing of toma-
toes some money may be made at he
business of growing, provided that the
soil is prepared right and the crop nan-
aged right, so as to get large Yields
Where three hundred bushels are gr
per acre. these at twenty cents per brsh-
Ell, the lowest price paid by any Gamer
would give sixty dollars and even allow
Ing this to be cut into for expenses
would still leave a greater profit than we
could get from crop of corn or cotton.
Locations and general conditions all
have their bearing on this matter and
these are matters which should be wen
considered. But that good returns from
the growing of tomatoes can be obtained
there Is no question.
Tomato Growing in Young Orchards.
In considering the question of profits
which may be derived from the tomato
crop, one should not overlook the matter
| of growing tomatoes in young fruit or
| chards For the first two years after the
trees are set, the land between the trees
could be very profitably used for growing
| crops of tomatoes, as this would be OF
| benefit to both the trees and soil instead
| of detriment, as the soil needs some
| light crop for shading it; then the trees
| need some cultivation, and they MAJ lie
just as cheaply cultivated by having to-
mato plants growing between the trees
as without.
The tomato plant has a great influence
on the soil, it's roots penetrate deep and
act the same as clover in loosenlng the
subsoil below, so that they would be of
great benefit to the young trees both by
| shading the soil and by loosening Il up
| letting in light and air to the roots OF
| the young trees Now that thousands of
acres are being set to young trees ana
the question of what is best to grow
among these trees is constantly being
asked we can think of no better crops
| for this purpose than the tomato, cante-
loupe. cucumber. cow peas and bean
crops
BY this method of growing tomatoes
tue price lot canning purposes could be
| adjusted to suit both the grower and the
packer At any rate they may be grown
cheaper this way as the main object
would be to improve and shade the soil
for the young trees. For this purpose
We would recommend using varIe-
ties which produce large vines
so as to cover as much of the soil as
possible All the varieties recommended
| in this paper are suitable for this except
the Dwarf Champion. However, enough
| plants should be used to cover all the
| SOIL Our tomato Gamers might find it
| TO their interest to look after these fruit
growers In placing their contracts for
| stock.
Tomato Disease.
The matter of rot and blight I'm the to-
mato, both in vine and fruit is something
| that we do not yet understand nor do we
| know how to prevent it. great many
| theories have been set forth. but vet we
seem to be In darkness so far as causes
and preventatives are concerned |
| think, however, that II is very important
| In having clean soil and work only when
the soil Is perfectly dry. Then. too, much
| depends on the matter of having good
strong healthy plants to start with
|
A Timely Tale of Cotton.
1