Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-01-02
PREPARING TO PLANT
TOMATO CROP IN SUMTER
kiwanis Club Promotion Effort
Expected to Result in Erec-
ton of Packing Shed

Preparations are going steadily
forward for planting tomatoes as o
commercial crop in Sumter county
during this year, with plans com
pleted for cooperative marketing
Of The product, which it is expected
will bring in much new revenue to
farmers of the county. The crop,
of course, is an experiment, but it
is believed the experiment will be
highly successful, as investigations
conducted during some time past
indicate no trouble viii be expert
eneed either in producing tine toma-
toes or in marketing them.
The first step in the direction of
making tomatoes a commercial
crop in Sumter county was taken
some time ago by the Anericus XII
wants club, when the organization
formally resolved to promote the
project. At this meeting George
10. Marshall, county farm demon
stration agent and a Kiwanian as
well, explained to club members the
strategic position occupied by Sum-
ter county in the matter of produc-
ng tomatoes, the crop ripening here,
he said, at just the proper time to
market advantageously both in
Florida and in cities to the north.
The Florida tomatoes, which are
shipped north, in great quantities
early in the spring, it is said, have
about disappeared when the Sum-
ter county tomatoes are expected
to ripen late in July and early in
August, thus leaving the entire
Florida marketing territory open
for shipments, while The season for
ripening farther north does not
come until we'll in August.
A Kiwanis committee, composed
Of Rev. John NJ. Cutler, Henry T.
Everett and George o. Marshall are
directing the preparations for the
crop here, and they are. now seek
ling information regarding the
quantity of seed that will be re-
quired 1t is explained in this CON
nection that the seed are to be sold
to farmers and gardeners who will
.agree to plant tomatoes for com
.mercial sales at absolute cost as a
promotion effort, though it is de-
sired that every grower plant one
variety. This is necessary, say
those familiar with the tomato mar
keting problem, in order to secure
the best results, buyers seeking
those varieties most easily sold 10
consumers and sought after in the
big consuming cenUyrs. Orders for
seed should be left with any mem
Der Of KiWanis committee named
above, or as -mattcr of conven.
fence may be left with Miss Ruth
Clark at the Chamber OF Commerce
offices in the courthouse.
In requesting farmers and gard
ners to plant tomatoes COMMERCIAL
ly, it is stated, every assistance will
be given by the Kiwanis club and
the county agent in their marketing.
A packing shed probably will be
necessary with the beginning of
shipments, and plans securing this
are already being worked out by
the Kiwanis committee. The loca-
ton of this shed, of course, will be
upon the tracks either Of the Sea-
board or Central railroad, where
the loading will be facilitated, and
where it is expected the land for
its erection can be secured at small
cost. The railroads also are CO
operating in the plan and within
a few weeks it will be possible to
estimate with a fair degree of ac-
euracy the quantity of tomatoes
likely to be grown here as a result
Of the Kiwanis promotion effort.
Only short time now until we
wonder how on earth this year
passed 50 quickly.