Imperial Valley press., 1945-04-30

Slow development of truck crops
during March was because of ad-
verse weather. Little actual damage
occurred from frost. Planting is
still actively going ahead in most
districts where the late spring and
early summer crops are produced.
Summary of truck crop move
ments as shown by the California
Crop and Livestock Reporting Ser
vice follows:
Artichoke supplies were light dur
ing the latter part of March, due
principally to the prevailing frosts
which occurred in the producing sec
tions.
Asparagus will be in heavier sup
ply as soon as weather permits a
normal harvest
Broccoli supplies during the lat
ter part of March were light, with
most of the loadings originating in
the central coastal areas.
Cabbage will be in increasing sup
ply in the southern districts of the
state. However, in the northern
areas, supplies will continue fairly
light.
During the latter part of March.
most California carrots originated
from the Imperial Valley. Ship
ments were dependent upon market
conditions.
Celery is in light supply. with the
bulk of the remaining acreage being
harvested for local production. and
only limited volume available for
carlot shipment.
Caufiflower shipments have orig
mated principally from the Santa
Maria Guadalupe area.
The Imperial Valley lettuce crop
is cleaning up rapidly. Activity is
expected to improve after April /.
Pea shipments are declining in
the Imperial Valley, but volume in
the coastal areas will be. heavier
and fair movement is expected
soon.
Tomatoes should be more plenti-
full in the Imperial and Coachella
Valleys as the season advances.
However. supplies will be limited to
those required by the local mark
cts.
FACTS ABOUT DDT
Apparently no DDT will be avail
able to civilians this year in the
form of insecticides.
f. o. Essig, professor of entom-
ology, University of California, says
experiments carried on by the Col
lege of Agriculture and the United
States Department of Agriculture
have demonstrated DDT is a prom
Using chemical against a number of
agricultural pests and that it can
kill many insects. Nevertheless, the
limitations and qualifications of
DOT have not yet been worked out
Continued experiments are being
carried on as rapidly as facilities
permit. These experiments will pro-
duce practical DDT sprays and dusts
and determine more exactly how to
use them safely and efficiently
At this time, no recommendation
are being made for the practical use
by civilians of DOT insecticides in
any form on any crops.
The availability fo DOT for civil
ian use depends upon the course
of the war because critical war ma
terials are required in making it.
Too little is yet known about the
harm that widespread use of DOT
might cause to beneficial insects, !
plants, SOIL livestock, wildlife, or to
consumers of fruits and vegetables
containing residues of the material !
BOXCAR DEMURRAGE
Farmers can expect a very tight |
situation in freight transportation |
for the 1945 crop season. The Office |
OF Defense Transportation is ap-
pealing for full cooperation from all |
sources in a freight transportation
situation which has reached it's |
most critical stage since the start |
of the year.
Heavy demurrage charges on tne
loading and unloading of boxcars
is one means used to speed up
movement of freight to offset the