The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1922-03-29
COOPERATION NEED
OF TOMATO INDUSTRY
If MaTyland's Supremacy In The
Tomato Growing And Packing Is
To Be Maintained Both Growers
And Packers Must Work Together

College Park, March 16-ImproVe-
ment in the yield per acre and in the
quality of tomatoes produced, the
adoption of the contract system be-
tive en- Gamers and growers and the
formation of local cooperative associ-
alton to handle the crop, are among
the recommendations to tomato
growers of the State which have been
drawn up by a growers committee
from the Maryland Agricultural So
ciety following a meeting of that
body with similar committee from
the Tri-State Gamers Association.
J E. Patten, East New Market, G.
C. Gelder, Princess Anne and A. G.
Ensor Forest Hill, composed the
committee which represented the
growers interest. In their report of
the meeting the members point to the
fact that the future market for toma-
toes is not particularly bright despite
the light pack last season and that
some contracts thus far made show
prices of from 80 to IS cents per
dozen No. 2 can.
Both growers and Gamers should
return to the contract system, says
the report, because lit insures safe
ty to the grower and enables the
Gamer to forecast in part his pack,
thus assisting in creating of business
in future, and enabling the jober and
wholesaler to plan their sales for
some months in advance"
Particular emphasis was placed
upon the desirability of inspiring con-
fidence in the trade by the fulfill
ment of the contract by both parties,
continues the report. Your COM
mittee recommends a careful consid-
GRAFTON of this feature of the bust
ness to all local farmers associa-
tions. In fact, it is the opinion of
the committee that farmers should
not grow even small acreage of to-
matoes this year except under a
properly executed contract between
the grower and the Gamer.
1T was felt that if the joint COM
mittee could be a factor in promot-
ing serious consideration of this
question much work would be accom-
plished towards establishing the in
dustry in the State.
Every effort should be made this
year to increase the yield per acre.
Seed should be selected special care
should be taken in the preparation
and fertilization of the land and the
tomato plants should be planted in
the field at least two weeks earlier
than has been the custom in the
past All plants should be in the
field by May 20. Tests have shown
that early planting is most profitable
IN securing increased yield. Plants
should also be sprayed in the bed
and field to prevent flea beetle, blight
and other troubles. Tomatoes
should not be planted in land affect
ed by wilt Special meetings Of
growers should be held to discuss
these questions. Growers should Sc
cure a special circular, Number So,
Of the Extension Service, University
of Maryland, from their county
agents, which gives special sugges-
lions for increased yield.
ct is the belief of the joint COM
mittee that the problem of the prop
erty ????? marketing of the crop
was largely growers problem.
That is, the grower should consider
the outlook and plant the acreage &C
cording to contract.
'It is the belief that the growers
of each county or region should CO.