Middletown transcript., 1914-05-30
THE TOMATO BLIGHT


Thirty-five members or the National
Gamers Association and the Tri-State
Gamers Association, which is affiliated
with the national organization, met in
the rose room of the Hotel DUPONT on
Saturday. The members present re-
presented Delaware, New Jersey and
Maryland, are all engaged in the toma-
to canning industry.
The meeting was called by the Ma
tional Gamers Association for the pur-
pose Of discussing the tomato blight,
known as the ''wilt" which has been a
great menace to tomato crops in the
Eastern States. and to endeavor to
make arrangements to collaborate with
the United States Department of Agri-
culture aud the Maryland Experiment
Station for the determination of the
blight.
1t was also decided to try to make
.arrs ngements for the collaboration of
the United States Public Health Ser
vice in the investigation of methods
for the disposal of liquid waste from
canning factories, which is one of the
most serious problems now confronting
the Gamers. The Gamers also decided
to give support and cooperation to the
U. S. Public Health service in this i'm
portant work.
The meeting was called to order by
Walter o. Hoffecker, of Smyrna, presi-
dent of the Tri-State Gamers Associa-
ton, who introduced DR.. w. D. Bige-
low, chief chemist of the Bureau of
Chemistry as the presiding officer Of
the meeting.
C. M. DeShields, secretary of the
Tri-State Gamers Association was
elected secretary of the meeting.
Professor w. A. Orton, of the Bu-
reau of Plant Industry, gave complete
description of the blight (wilt), illus
trating his remarks with photographs
of tomatoes and tomato plants showing
the ravages made by the parasites in
the various stages. The photographs
were passed around among those prea-
ent to closely inspect them. Photo
graphs of leaves were first shown with
little spots on them, the. first sign of
the blight, and these leaves were shown
later almost entirely destroyed by the
insect. The effect of the blight upon
the tomato itself was also illustrated
with photographs.
He explained that spraying is the
only remedy for the disease, and urged
that this spraying should be done thor
oughly and continued until the fruit is
maturing, and gave examples of the
serious results that had occurred where
spraying had been discontinued too
early.
Professor Orton explained that the
spray used on the plants is composed
mostly of lime, and is similar to that
used on apple and pear trees for twenty
five years.
He urged upon those preeent the i'm
portance of their taking some action in
the matter of eliminating the blight, as
it directly affected their business, mas
much as they were only permitted to
can only solid, sound ton atoes, and the
tomatoes infected with the blight would
be unfit for their use.
To secure good fruit you must go
out of the factory and back to the
farm, he declared. He urged the CO.
operation of the Gamers with the var
ious branches of the Department of
Agriculture for the tomatoes. 1t was
also explained that the research labora-
tories Of the National Gamers Asso-
citation are in position to arrange some
valuable work especially in the inter
ests Of the tomato industry if it is
found desirable at the present time.
Mr.. Hoffecker, DIR. Bigelow, Profes-
sor ]. P. S. Norton, of the Maryland
Experimental Station, and H. M. Loo
mis- of the Bureau of Chemist each
spoke on the subject under discussion.