The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-03-30

Recommendations To The Tomato
Growers OF Maryland, Deiawar'
And New Jersey. Representa-
tiyes OF The Canning Industry Ant
The Farmers Organizations Ii
These States.
1t is generally recognized tha1
many industries formerly peculiar tC
this section, such as peach growing
pea canning and the oyster indus
| try, have drifted into other territor
les, resulting in great financial loss
both to the producers and to all in
terested in these Industries. 1t is
now realized that this same section
which has been producing two-thirds
| of the tomatoes grown in the Wnole
| United States for canning, is now con
| fronted by conditions which have re-
suited in decreased yields per acre
and q generally unsatisfactory state
| of The industry, which, il not over
come. will result in the tomato can,
ming industry, in which so much can
| ital is invested and which has been
/ affording 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 to increase the
,ield per acre CT tomatoes and pre-
serve the industry to this section.
these recommendation have been
drawn from the actual experience }of
successful growers in this terrltory
who are producing at least two or
three times as many tomatoes per
acre as the average for the past five
years will show. Those under nor
NAL conditions Of rainfall and tenn
rerature should enable growers TO
Utilize from one third to one-half
the number of acres, and yet secure
the same amount of tonnage.
SOIL
Select land that is we'll drained,
in a good state of fertility and in
good physical condition as result
of proper treatment during previous
seasons, and which has not been IN
tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or egg
plants for at least three years.
Crop rotation is essential. Le-
guminous or other green manuring
crops should be plowed under as Of
ten as possible. Conditions vary to
greatly regarding staple crops in the
tomato growing centers that II
would not seem feasible to use the
same rotation in all places. Con-
suit with your county agent for re-
Communications on crop rotations.
VARIETIES AND SEEDS
The Importance of good seed can
not be over estimated as poor SEED
is dear at any price.
The greatest menace to the can
ming industry is poor seed, especial
ly cannery-run seed, often saved from
low yielding plants, which are dis
eased, and are not true to type.
Some of the most successful grow
ers in this territory are paying as
high as $40 per pound for well Sc
lected high producing seed, whereas.
many growers are demanding seed
which shall cost them not over $1.OV
to $3.50 per pound, which generally
results in poor yields. Many sue
cessful growers are raising tnelf
own seed, which cannot be bouEht
st any price.
On land infested by wilt, II pos
sible use seed of wilt resistant va
rieties, such as Wilt Resistant Stone
Wilt Resistant Greater Baltimore,
Norton which is Wilt Resistant
Stone, Arlington which is Vile Re-
sistant Greater Baltimore and Mar
vel which is an early wilt resistant
variety, all Of which are good yield
ers and produce desirable canning
house stock.
For second early, use Bonny Best.
John Baer, Chalk's Jewel and Della
ware Beauty.
For late, use Greater Baltimore,
Stone, Paragon, Success. Matchless
and Red Rock.
The use of home grown seed is
strongly recommended. The grow
ers should take steps to secure next
years supply of seed through selec-
ton from this years crop.
Select high yielding plants. Be
fore any tomatoes are picked from
the field, go over the plants careful
ly and stake hills which are high
Welding and disease resistant with
fruit of high quality and true to
type for the variety in question.
SEED BED AND PLANTS
The use of a new seed each year
presents many points of advantage.
it. Directions for sterlizing seed
beds may be obtained from Farmers
Bulletin 996, U. S. Department OF
Agriculture, or from your county
agent.
Thick seeding, high, temperature
and excessive moisture will produce
soft, tender, tall and thin stemmed
plants, and should always be avoid
ed by the tomato grower. Stocky.
well grown, we'll hardened plants
are essential, and we'll worth the
necessary work and effort required
to secure them. Reject all plants
that are diseased or off color.
When flea beetles are bad, spray
plants in seed bed with Bordeaux
mixture plus arsenate of lead. Plants
| to be sprayed the day before setting
them in the field, and not moved
while the tops are wet. Bordeaux
| 4-4-5O, and arsenate of lead lbs.
| paste or l 1-2 lbs. dry should be
| used. Home grown plants are re-
commended as more desirable than
| Southern grown plants because OF
nematodes and diseases.
| Greater yields can be secured
when the plants are set in the field
| earlier than is now the practice. II
is desirable to set the plants in the
| field as soon after May 10 as loca
conditions will permit. In order tc
secure the plants is will be necessary
to use cold frames and hotbeds. Tt
have the plants ready May 10 to Is
| it necessary to sow the seed Marcf
| 10 to April 1. Plants that have beer
transplanted before setting in ths
field are stronger and give better re
suits.
PREPARATION OF LAND
Early plowing of the land is de
sirable. Plow as deeply as the sol
will permit. Gradually deepen th'
depth of plowing a half inch to al
inch each season until the soil is a
least inches deep. In case cove
crop or sod is to be plowed under
disking is recommended before plow
) ing. Thoroughly prepare the land
A seed bed consisting Of three or fou
inches of thoroughly fined soil i