Smyrna times., 1929-03-13
DEL-MAR-VA ASSOCIATION 1929
MARKET PROGRAM UNDERWAY
ALREADY ESTABLISHED INTER
EST AMONG THE GROWERS
To Ship Broccoli Under the Associa-
tiOn's Inspection and Specifications
Marketing of Tomatoes

The 1929 marketing program of the
Del-Mar-Va Eastern Shore Associa-
ton is well underway, and according
to a statement made at Association
headquarters today, is making sound
progress and has already established
a substantial interest among leading
growers as well as a majority of the
foremost distributors, commission men
and buyers in the largest Eastern
markets. The Association reports
that their plan Of marketing carefully
inspected and standardized products
under the Del-Mar-Va insignia has
been entered into by a group of the
leading broccoli growers, representing
more than $50 acres of this years
crop. The descriptive literature in
cluding recipe booklet devoted to
broccoli and large placards calling at
tention to broccoli packed under their
insignia are now being distributed.
Beginning this week trade papers are
carrying advertisements directing at
tention of the buyers in all markets to
broccoli shipped under the Associa-
tion's label. The Association has as
certained by direct interviews and cor
respondence that the most prominent
distributors and commission men in
the markets of New York, Philadel-
phia, Baltimore, Washington, Pitts
burgh, Boston, Newark, n. J., and
other nearby metropolitan centers not
only approve their plan but will rem
der every aid in promoting it at the
distributing points and in the retail
trade. Supervising Inspector ]. A.
Burroughs has completed his stand
ards on broccoli and has secured the
agreement of number Of principal
growers and shippers in the area from
the Virginia counties as far north as
Middletown, Del. They will pack the
stalk variety in bundles and ship in
crates under the Associations inspec-
tion and specifications. Only this
grade of broccoli will be entitled to
use the Del-Mar-Va insignia While
broccoli is Del-Mar-Va's first CONNER
cial crop Of the year the interest ere
ated in the Associations plan has re
suited in a material number of prom
inent asparagus growers already en-
tering into agreement to ship under
the same regulations. The Commit
tee on Marketing has decided that the
majority Of the principal crops raised
on the Peninsula, aside from grain,
will this year be included in their plan.
One of the further interesting devel--
opments Of the newly launched pro
gram is the interest expressed by
commission men and buyers relative
shipments Of green tomatoes from the
Peninsula. They have made evident
the fact that Del-Mar-Va tomatoes
rank highly if properly packed and
shipped. In advising as to methods
and condition of this fruit the major
ity explain that the tomatoes should
reach the markets showing a tinge Of
color, Oh that they at least arrive in
a mature condition though green. The
buyers point out that from this period
Of the year or the artificial ripening
and repaclling process carried on DUR
ing the winter is practically ended. All
urge careful wrapping and favor the
tomatoes showing color from slight
ping to 80 per cent coloration. The
majority pronounce that tomatoes
should not be picked until they are
ready to color or at the period when
the rank green color develops a tinge
of white. Inspector Burroughs feels
that tomato gorwers should be keenly
interested in this particular phase Of
marketing their fruit because if the
recommendations Of the buyers and
commission men are needed it will
mean that Del-Mar-Va green tomatoes
will reach the markets in the condi-
tion most preferred and should bring
top if not fancy prices.