Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-03-02

IcCGlNtu ny S4OHtIb III AOAt AOl W
matoes grown for manufacture
should not encourage them to ap-
preciably increase their acreage in
1928.
In view of the present market sit
uation and the demand for better
quality Of raw stock and manufac-
tured product it would seem advis-
able for growers to confine their eff
forts to producing higher yields per
acre and reducing costs of produc-
ton rather than increasing the
acreage over 1927.
Sweet Corn:
The acreage devoted to growing
sweet corn in Maryland in 1927 was
the lowest in many years. Yields
were also below normal, being only
1.8 tons per acre as compared with
an average of 2.3 tons for the pre-
ceding five years. Low yields COM
bined with low prices caused the re-
turns to number of growers to be
discouragingly small.
The reduced pack Of sweet corn
generally throughout the United
States, in 1927, has enabled Gamers
to reduce greatly the surplus car
ried over from previous years. The
somewhat stronger position of the
market for canned corn will prob
ably influence packers to begin the
new year with optimism but can
ners and growers alike should bear
in mind that in all probability yields
per acre in 1928 will be higher than
in 1927 and if there is a material
increase in acreage together with an
average yield the industry may look
for return to the very unsatisfac-
tory price conditions of recent years.
Peas:
Due to good yields and favorable
prices the value of the pea crop to
Maryland growers on a reduced
acreage in 1927 was increased over
the previous year. In spite of
lower acreage the total value of the
crop was greater in 1927 than in
1926.
The relatively more favorable po-
sition of the pea canning industry at
this time is, however, the result of
the high quality of the 1927 crop
rather than to the decrease in acre
age. Therefore, growers and can
ners alike should give due consid-
GRAFTON to the acreage that they can
grow and handle with the equip
ment available.
Snap Beans:
Present indications are that there
will be material increase in bean
acreage for canning in 1928. Grow
ers and Gamers should give careful
to the acreage devoted
to this crop in 1928. The demand
for bean seed is great and care
should be exercised as to source and
of seed for planting.
Fruits.
Apples:
The apple industry is reaching
more and more a stabilized condition.
Because of the fact that apple pro-
dCction is a long time farm enter
prise violent fluctuations in planting
based upon enthusiasm and anticipa-
ton rather than foresight create an
unsound economic policy. In spite of
the fact that the number of apple
trees is declining Especially in the
eastern United States) there is no
reason to believe that our production
will decrease. In addition, competi- |
ton of other fruits and Of vegetables
and competition among fruit Sec
tions for better fruit is becoming a
greater factor. But there is nothing
in the apple outlook to unduly dis
courage growers who are favorably |
located and who produce high quality |
fruit at low cost. Better cultural
practices, year after year, such as
proper orchard fertilization, cover
crops, and cultivation will tend to /
make the apple crop more sure every
year in spite of weather factors and
better pruning and thinning will
help to improve the color and size
Of the fruit. If paintings are made
special consideration should be given
to those varieties which have a good
color.
Peaches:
In the Middle Atlantic and Noun
tain States the percentage of young
peach trees is rot so great as in |
some other producing regions. In
those areas limited paintings suffi-
eient to maintain the present volume
OF production seems justified. How
ever, Southern and Southeastern sec !
tions Of the United States, will more
than likely be faced with an over
production problem for the next
several years and such a condition
will reflect generally upon the de-
mand and price for peaches later in
the season. Unless a grower can
encourage home or local trade il
would be unwise to expand planting
to any considerable extent at this
time. If commercial paintings are
made more attention should be given
to varieties that receive favor on the
Grapes:
The outlook is for a continued
heavy production of pranas for CO..,
eral years. While the apparent
slight upward trend in consumption
may continue, it is likely to be too
SLOW to remedy the present situa-
non. An immediate appreciable re-
auction in acreage, particularly in