Milford chronicle., 1916-03-17
The CANNING TOMATO IN SUSSEX
On four parts-Part 81

It Is a common observation that in
some years frost finds many fruits
still hanging on the tomato plants.
Almost any year brings a large loss
both In quantity and quality OF fruit
on account of either late planting or
the use Of inferior plants. When g
clover crop is taken of the ground
before the tomatoes are set, probably
the value Of the clover partly offsets
the possible loss from late fruiting.
but when the tomato crop has the
right Of way on the ground. there is
no good reason for setting the plants
around June 1. Il Is likely that. II
the cost Of the crop and the value Of
the product we're balanced rightly, the
clover crop could often be sacrificed
entirely as hay or seed to give the
tomato a better chance. When this Is
done or where the tomato is planted
on bare ground. the question Of early
plants becomes an important one.
Early fruiting is desirable both be-
cause there Is a better chance Of a
full crop before frost and because
there Is more good fruit before the
diseases and storms Of late summer
and early fall make their appearance.
Early varieties may give early fruit,
but often quality as we'll as yield are
not as good In these early varieties.
When standard varieties are used,
early planting Of seed becomes i'm
pOrtant. More planters could profit
ably make use Of glass or cloth cover
ed frames In securing early plants
Even when It appears safe to plant
seed out Of doors there is an adVan-
tage In planting in q frame that can
be covered quickly, both on account
Of possible frosts and protection from
heavy rains or hail No matter how
early q crop Is sown, the canning pro-
duct Ia going TO be late if the first
planting OF seed Is spoiled, because
neither the second planting nor the
bought tomato plants seem TO do as
we'll ss ones own stock.
There Is one danger IN planting
seed In frames OF any kind, and that
IL that the space available is apt 70 .
De limited and the plants consequent !
" crowded. Crowding Of plants 10 by
40 means confined to frame-grown
plants, because many a man with (
acres at his disposal will still crowd
his plants. A crowded plant, with its
)oor roots, may in certain years do as
we'll as any other, but If a man con-
iiders the average returns from this
,rOp he will find that the loss In the
lad year from spindling plants much
more than offsets the cost Of thinning
II even transplanting. Many people
work on the theory that 1t is safer to
,ut little time on half dozen en-
erprises, doing none of them in just
he right way, than to risk results In
me or two that can be handled prop
rly. This theory results in more
farming than any other, and
5 responsible for much of the failure
With the tomato crop. II this or any
ther crop is worth planting at all,
is worth planting In the right way.
What has just been said applies
1ost forcibly to the question OF soil .
and tillage. Many farm
rs, realizing that there is some risk
nth this crop,fail to see the wisdom
] doing all that Is possible to ensure
good crop. OF course II the season :
bad they lose a little, but all sea- :
Ons are not bad, and furthermore :
he right fertilization and tillage will :
lake more than one bad season look Z
Ood when the returns come in. That
hll- plUWGQ utlus bLdlhb dHQ DIltIb ou ;
,p, full Of clods, to be sure does not
ost much to prepare, but neither can
ever return much, even in good sea-
IN. The man who is satisfied to let /.
Is crop take chances with the weeds :
not only going into debt because Of 2
le cost Of tillage, but neither will his {:
ink account was swelled with tomato :
or will the too conscientious tiller z
} much better, especially If he is 3
an who is content to see the weeds s
sappear and is not curious enough z
know how many tomato plants are :.
,ing with them. That pleasant rip $
ng sound as the harrow runs thru Z
e ground may mean the end Of weeds }
It it may also mea nthe destruction .
thousands Of tomato roots that
ould have added their share to the ,
skets in August and September. He ),
no cultivates without studying the
iect on the tomatoes as we'll as the y
seds is not much better of than is 3
who stays away entirely.
W. c. FELTON,, County Agent, "a
IT g nant of Agr