Milford chronicle., 1925-03-20
DELAWARE FARMERS
ANTICIPATE BOUNTFUL
CROPS THIS SUMMER
Strawberry, Cucumber And Pea
Acreages Expected To Be
Equal To Last Year
PEPPERS A NEW VENTURE
Shortage OF Apples Expected To
Result In Good Markets.
Wheat Looks GOOd.iI

Judging from reports from agri-
cultural sections through the Bur-
eua of Markets of the State Board
of Agriculture and the officials OF
the State Board who are in touch
with conditions, the outlook for the
coming year from a farmers stand
point is just as promising as that of
year ago. Last years crops
brought returns of upwards of
twenty millions of dollars to the
farmers of Delaware, a return
which was one of the best in many
years. With fair weather not too
much rain or drought, the farmers
look forward to even better crops in
1925 than in 1924.
Four weeks ago the three or four
warm days made the fruit trees be-
gin to swell, but danger from their
budding too early was dissipated
when the cold snap that followed
checked them. Not until after the
middle of April will the danger of
frost be passed. If the fruit trees
can be kept from advancing too far
until the frost menace is eliminated
all will be we'll.
Wheat looks fine, particularly in
the lower section of the state the Of
ficials report. In lower Kent and
Sussex county it is four to five in
ches up and looks good. Not so
much can be said for New Castle
county, which being 100 miles
farther north than the lower part
of the state and colder weather
seems to have kept the growth back
but so far as can be learned from
inspections the crop looks fine
enough.
Growers of apples of which Della
ware is one of the leading states in
the Union, look forward to better
prices this spring for their early
crops because the demand for the
fruit has reduced the amount in
cold storage. Last spring there
were approximately one million
barrels of apples in cold storage
throughout the country at this time
last year and consequently the early
crop of apples had to contend with
low prices on storage fruit. This
condition does not exist this spring
and the storage apples in this state
is much lower than last year. Con-
sequently those who have good |
early apples expect better prices.
The strawberry crop which is |
about the first crop harvested in the |
state is promising. From the acre |
ages reported and the condition OF /
the vines, the crop this year ought
to equal if not surpass the crop OF
last spring which was more than
thirteen million quarts. Last year
some strawberry raisers had to suf-
fer from the rainy weather and this
caused a loss in low land sections.
If the weather throughout May is
normal and not too wet the vines
are likely to produce not only more
berries, but fruit that will stand UP
longer in the market and cOnse-
quently bring a higher price. There
is a likelihood that more farmers
will put their berries into cold
pack this year than last. They have
found this a profitable venture
where the method used has been
sound and only good fruit not over :
ripe has been used.
The crop of cucumbers which is
another early crop is expected to
equal last year which was a good {
one. Prices which contractors are c
Offering to farmers range from $40
TO S32 a ton. The smaller cukes G
bring the highest prices, being more
tedious to pick and not so many be- 1
ng obtained to the ton. The Gu ?
,umbers from two to four inches in
ength are in greatest demand. Over il
our inches the product usually a
goes to market and brings whatever n
he price is. The small cukes, how il
sver, are used for bOttling and for t.
)arrel stock. tt
A new crop to Delaware this year b
will be raising peppers in quanti-
les. Gamers from out of the state e.
AVE contracted through Delaware VI
gents for peppers which they will n
lse in making chill sauce, chow c,
how and other condiments. Round IL
bout Wyoming and in Sussex, v;
cores of acres have been contract ii
d for in peppers. While Delaware Of
oes not possess extraordinary soil
ttractions for peppers, neverthe- c,
sss it is just as good as any other n,
ectiOn, and consequently the far NJ
lers believe they can raise peppers -
nd make as much money from the ~
rop as farmers of surrounding W W
.ates. ~
Peas of the English variety espec- ~
lily are expected to be planted just -,
) heavily as any other year. Last ~ ~
ear, the rain helped wonderfully in u u
eeping down the pea Ouse and n
Delaware farmers had IN
better chance to realize from this DO
'op. If the farmers feel that they We
i'll not suffer from this louise the Tn
;reages will be increased for the er