Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1925-02-07
FARMERS ALIVE
TO NECESSITY OF A
CHANGE IN METHODS
Diversification OF Crops Thoroughly
Discussed AT Meeting Held In
Pocomoke Tuesday
CHARLES H. SPEIGHTS
TALKS ON EARLY TOMATOES

A very enthusiastic meeting of far
mers was held in the Community room
Of the Citizens National BanE on
Tuesday last, the men coming from
Somerset and Worcester counties, and
from Accomack county, Va.
The object of the gathering was to
discuss the matter of diversification
Of crops. Comore lE Byrd called the
meeting to order and he was made
chairman with E. J. Clarke as secre-
tary.
Mr.. Byrd in outlining present agri-
cultural conditions laid stress on the
fact that great depression existed "a
mong the tillers of the soil; and, in
this section it was the consensus of
opinion that one governing cause was
over acreage in one crop-potato. He
gave it as his opinion that beans,
peas, cantaloupes, and even peanuts
could be successfully cultivated in To-
cal soil, and proftably marketed.
Inasmuch as some of those present
understood that the meeting was call
ed for special purpose-that of dis
cussing the production of early toma-
toes, the general talk on variety of
planting was turned into special one
Oh >arly tomatoes.
Charles H. Speights, formerly cf
this city and we'll known, but now of
Somerset county haA7been engaged as
an expert in this line, and he was call
ed on to address the meeting.
He showed very intimate knowl-
edge of the subject and evinced a
wide and varied experience coupled
with marked success. He told the
whole story, beginning with the me-
chanism of the hot bed, and explain
Ell the nature of the soil used for the
seed, how to manipulate it, how to
harden the young plant, how to spot
plant it, and how to transplant it to
the field.
! Mr.. Speights was piled with many
questions, to which he always gave
lucid and pointed replies. 1t was evi-
dent many were converted to the ear
ly tomato culture.
With regard to the handling of the
crop, R. l. Lednum, local Gamer
stated that he would take care of q
large part of the residue after the
markets had been exhausted The
prospective Gamer Mr.. Mason would
operate along same lines. The early
tomato crop seems assured.
Mr.. Lednum also said that if he
could get as many as 100 acres OF
string beans, would equip his can
merry to do the work of that crop, anG
in the matter of early tomatoes he
counseled that the farmers should be
careful to have the crop early anc
rot middle or late.
Several of the farmers present
Messrs. Wilson, Mock, and others
who had experimental in bean plant
ing were of the opinion they could b,
raised proftably.
The result of this conference clear
ly showed that the farmers had about
decided diversifcation is demanded
and that the matter should be given
further hearing it was decided to holo
another meeting at which it was ex-
pected larger gathering would take
place and it was called for Tuesday
next, at 1.3O P. NJ, in the City Hal
Auditorium. 1t is hoped that all ag-
riculturist in Wicomico, Somerset
and Worcester counties will be pres.
ent and come prepared to give theil
ideas and experience in growing
crops other than potato.