The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-06-13
Tomato as a Field
Crop for Canneries.
lie Roy Cady, Division of Horti-
culture, Minnesota Expert
ment Station.
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Professor L. C. Corbett says that
success in the growing of tomatoes
for canneries, as we'll as any other
crop, requires definite knowledge and
careful practice along four lines
first, selection of variety; second, the
growing of plants; third, the selec-
ton and preparation of the soil; fourth,
cultivation and fertilization of the
land.
Selecting Varieties to Grow. A
great many people have the idea that
any tomato is good for canning. This
is wrong idea, as there is quality in
the tomato as we'll as anything else,
and quality in canned goods is an i'm
portant factor. 1t is, therefore, neces-
sary to have varieties that are of good
quality for canning.
EarliAsss of the plants doesn't
make much difference, as what is
wanted is large tomato of good quail.
ity. The main point is to select va
rieties that produce largo, smooth,
solid fruits, which dc not remain
green or crack on the shaded side
near the stem. Those which possess
size as their chief characteristic are
frequently of poor quality, as they are
apt to possess large seed cavities and
ripen unevenly. The Stone, Paragon
and Livingston's Perfection are among
the varieties that are especially adapt
ed to grow for canning. AZ
Variations as to the quality of Diff
ferent crops of tomatoes from farmers
in the same neighborhood make diff
ference sometimes of from twenty-five
to forty cans on ton of fruit, or from
to 10 per cent. In good seasons, and
! with good fruit, 400 cans is about the
| maximum that can be derived from a
ton. The better the quality of the
fruit, the better the quality Of the
canned product; consequently, a bet
ter price can be obtained for both the
raw and manufactured product.
Growing the Plants. AS earliness is
not requirement, the plants may be
started in this section early in April,
1 either sown in flats in greenhouse or
hotbed and transplanted to other flats;
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from this into the field. They are
sometimes sown rather thinly in cold
frames, or even in the open ground, in
4 localities where the season is early,
| and then transplanted directly to the
field from the first to the middle of
June. It is important during the grow
ing season to keep them cultivated
and growing thriftily and making
stocky plants.
| Land. The tomato as a field crop is
! adapted to variety Of soils, though
! a medium clay is probably the best
/ Any good potato land ought to grow
tomatoes to advantage. Land that has
produced good clover sod, OF soil up
on which corn was the preceding crop,
4 is best. 1t should be deeply plowed
! in the autumn or early spring, SO as to
/ destroy insects and get 1t in good
4 physical condition. If manure is to be
I added, it may be added to land that
has been ploWed in the fall, early in
the spring, or during winter, and then
1 ploWed under very. shallow in the
spring. Commercial fertilizers are
very often applied to the crop in the
d older sections of the country, but
should be applied sparingly in this
section Farmyard manures are prob.
ably best for our conditions.
! Setting the Plants. The plants should