Milford chronicle., 1926-01-01
DELAWARE FARMERS
FINANCIAL RETURNS
WERE EXCELLENT
CONTINUED from first page)

For trucking, the strawberry sea-
son was not up to normal, because
the weather was so hot that as soon
as the berries were picked they were
rushed to refrigerator cars at the
railroad station, and the railroad
service was excellent. The same care
taken of the strawberry crop was
demonstrated in all other crops by
the railroad company.
Storing Apples Paid Well
Along towards the end of June
came the early apples. Transparent
apples suffered like the strawberries
from the hot dry weather, but when
the returns were received the grow
!&rs got from $1.50 to $2.25 a bushel.
The average size for No. l apples is
two inches and upwards, but because
OF the heat the apples failed to de-
velop normally and there were more
under two inches than above that
size.
Following the Transparents came
the Williams Early. Usually there
are three pickings of this variety,
but because of weather conditions
and owing to heavy windstOrms that
came just about the time the apples
were nearing their harvest, there
was a huge amount blown from the
trees. Consequently there ensued a
gIut on the market; and but one
picking in many orchards.
Apples that ought to bring $1.50
could be bought for ninety cents.
Then the Delaware farmer, who had
the moral strength, showed his
Judgment. He placed his apples in
storage at the rate of ten cents a
bushel. Within three or four weeks,
these apples were sold out of stor-
age for S1.50 a bushel and the farm
er even after paying the ten cents
storage fee made fifty cents more
than he would if he hadn't had the
nerve to store them and take a
chance. One farmer got $1.75 for
his early apples saved from the glut
by the storage plan.
when peaches arrived the early
Delaware varieties faced the Alber-
tas being sent north from Georgia
and North Carolina. Delaware grow
ers who had early peaches got but
a dollar a bushel. But when the
southern peaches were through and
the better Delaware peaches came
along, the Bellies and Albertas
brought from So upwards. The
peaches were of fine size and quality
and the returns were most satisfac-
tory.
CantalOupeS In Fine Shape
Delaware cantaloupes were never
better than they were the past sum-
mer and the crop seemed to start
earlier and continue longer than any
other year, being in the market for
two months. 1t was fine cantalOupe
growing weather and the quality was
exceptionally excellent and while
the early varieties did not bring
much of a return, the later yields
were profitable.
"WatermeIons fell off to but half
a crop compared with the year prev
ious. But this was not due to any
plant illness, but to the fact that the |
year before had been such a poor |
one for those who raised watermel- |
ons, that the acreage was reduced. !
But prices were good and the yield |
brought satisfactory returns for |
those who were brave enough in the |
face of several bad years to attempt |
it again.
"The tomato season was peculiar. |
First it was reported that the yield |
would be small. But when the crop |
came on it was larger than ever. !
watching the yield utilized the OPP /
portunity and the price fell for the
Independent grower. But to the far
mer who had contracted, the price
received was paying one. No. to-
matoes sold at ninety cents, but the
cooperative canneries which have
still large stocks in storage expect
to obtain a satisfactory figure with
in a few months, which will make
the net returns all that could be
hoped for.
Grapes fell off so per cent the
past summer. The prices ranged
from so to 65 cents, an average of
about 55 cents for a seventeen-pound
basket, a fair price for those who
had them.
Sweet Potatoes Paid Well
Sweet potatoes, because the crop
in the country at large is short and
because Delaware had an unusually
large yield, proved a splendid crop
for the Delaware farmer. Usually
Delaware Sweets" are not sold until
January and February, but for two
months the Delaware tubers have
been going to market and the aver
age price has been about $1.75 a
bushel, which is very good. In the
next two months, the growers who
are still holding out for higher fig
ures, may get two or even better for
their sweet potatoes.
Late apples have also been most
excellent crop. The quality is finer ]
than last year and there is less scab.
They are in storage, too, and are !
bringing now from $3.50 to $3.50 a !
bushel.
Wheat and corn crops during the
year were far above the average ;
both in yield and returns. Farmers
made more money from these crops
this year than for several years and :
Whsle corn is moving slowly just
now the outlook is most encourag-
ing" +
Christmas turkeys, ducks, geese
and chickens raised in Delaware
brought satisfactory returns this
Yuletide. Last week turkeys sold at
from As to so cents a pound which !
is a paying price. Ducks, geese and 7
chickens brought prices that paid :
the farmers for the time and ex- :
pense. 7
Eggs during the past week took a :