The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1920-04-23
Canning Industries


industries formerly peculiar to this sec
ton, such az peach growing. pea can
ming and the oyster industry. have DRIFT
ed iuto other territories, resulting In
gre at financial loss both to the produc-
ers and to all interested in these indus
tries. 1t is now realized that this sec
ton which has been producing two
thrd DIS of the tomatoes grown In the
whole United States for car ming, IL no"
confronted by conditions which have
resulted in decreased yields per acre
and a generally unsatisfactory state OF
the industry, which, if not overcome,
will result in the tomato canning In
dustrv. in which 50 much capital Is IN
vested and which has been afording a
nearby market for tomato growers,
being completely destroyed and forced
into other sections where conditions
are more favorable to the industry.
These suggestions are Submitted in an
effort 10 increase the yield per acre of
tomatoes aud preserve the Industry to
this section.
These recommendations have been
drawn from the actual experience of
successful growers in this territory who
are producing at least two or three
times as many tomatoes per acre as the
average for the past five years will
show. These under normal conditions
eff rainfall and temperature should en-
able growers to utilize from one-third
to half the number of acres, and
vet secure the same amount of tonnage.
SEED BED AND PLANT
The use of a new seed each year pres
ents many points of advantage. If an
old seed bed must be used, sterilize it.
Directions for sterilizing seed beds may
be obtained from Farmers Bulletin 996,
II. S. Department of Agriculture, or
from your county agent.
Thick seedin :. b Oh Temperature and
exec ssive moisture will produce soft,
tender. tall aud thin stemmed plants,
and should always be avoided by the
tomato er ,wer. StockY, well grown
well hardened planes are ssential, and
well worth the necessary work and ef-
ford required to secure them Reject
all plants that are diseased or off color.
When flea beetles are bad, spray
plauts in seed bed with Bordeaux mix
ture plus arsenate Of lead. Plants to
be SPRAYED the day before setting them
in the feel !, and not moved whila the
tops are wet. Bordeaux A 50, and
arsena:e Of lead 8 lbs paste or ltlbs.
dry should be used. Home growa
plants are recommended as more desir
able than Southern plants because of
uematodes and diseases.
Greater yie,ds can be secured when the
plants are set in the field earlier than
IS now the practice 1t is desirable to
set the plants in the field as soon after
Nay 10 AZ local conditions will permit.
In order to secure the plants it will tbe
necessary to use cold frames and hotbeds'
To have the plants ready May 10 to 10,
it is necessary to SOW the seed March
10 to April 1. Plants that have been
,ransplanted before setting in the fields
are stronger and give better results.
PREPARATION OF LAND
Early blowing of the land is desirable.
Pillow as deeply as the soil will permit.
Gradually deeped the depth of blowing
a half inch to an inch each season un-
til the soil is at least inches deep. In
case cover crop or sod is to be Diowed
under, disking is recommended before
blowing. Thoroughly prepare the land.
A seed bed consisting of three or four
inches of thoroughly fined soil is desir-
able.
SETTING
Plants should be removed from the
seed bed carefully saving as much of
the root system as possible. Plant in
rows eft apart, spacing the plants IT
apart in the rows, if the crop is to be
sprayed or if green crops, as crimson
clover, are to be planted between the
rows. If the plants are not to be spray
ed, but green crops are to be planted.
The distance of setting may be varied
from the above recommended distance.
Plants should be "watered in" if set in
dry weather, and should be deeply set
30 that only few inches are exposed.
CULTIVATION
Clean, level cultivation is necessary.
Keep all weeds, especially nightshade
out. Maintain q good soil much to:con-
serve moisture. Cultivate after rain,
at least six cultivation being desirable.
Do not cultivate when vines are wet.
This tends to spread spores of leaf
blight fungus.
SPRAYING
Spafing for disease must be thoroughly
done or not at all. Spray at least five
times beginning Alb III July 1st and at
Intervals of ten days. Use Bordeaux
ALSO.
Pick when the vines are dry to pre-
vent spread of leaf spot or blight bv
hands and clothing of pickers.
Recognizing the importance of this
question, the Bureau of Plant Industry
US Department Of Agriculture and
the State Agriculture Colleges, have
developed plan of action, the details
of which can be obtained from the Ex-
tension Service through the county
agents.
Successful tomato growing depends
on good seed, good plants, proper fer TIL
cation, careful plating. clean cultiva
ton and disease control. The practice
of the recommendations willenabl the y
tri-states to retain the pos ition the
have previously held in the tomato
growing and canning industry.
STATE OF MARYLAND