Milford chronicle., 1955-12-30

ward partly Offsettlng the decline
in tree numbers.
The decline in production may
be the result Of increased cOmpeti-
ton from citrus and other fruit.
Also, some fruit growers have been
able to obtain greater net returns
to labor and capital from other en-
terprises such as poultry, dairy,
vegetables, and field crops than
from apples. During the past years,
the trend has been for fewer orch
ards but larger individual holdings.
This would indicate that the in
efficient producers are dropping out
Ia trend that is likely to continue
for some years ahead.
Peach production has been ex-
Iperiencing much the same trend as
apples. In recent years. the trend
has been to market more mature
or tree-ripened peaches. This trend
is likely to continue and more en-
phasis will be placed on develop
ing marketing methods that viii
maintain quality through the mar
ket channels. 1t would appear that
Delaware is strategically located
close to large eastern markets-fOr
the marketing of high quality, tree
ripened peaches.
Vegetables: Total production of
vegetables for the fresh market
will not differ greatly from that Of
1855. In Delaware the production
Of fresh market vegetables is on
the increase. It is expected that
this trend will continue as land
values rise and urbanizati0n pro-
crosses in the state.
Supplies of processed vegetables
available into mid-1956 are not ex-
pected to differ much from that Of
1856 This isS true for both canned
and frozen vegetables. In general,
Individual items appear to be in
better balance with market require
ments that was the case q year
earlier. Supplies of sweet corn and
saaeF kraut appear materially
smaller than in 1855. On the other
hand, tomato and tomato products,
peas, asparagus, and spinach are
in more plentiful supply. Snap bean
supplies are about like that of a
year earlier.
Among the processing crops that
packers are likely to seek increas-
] ed acreage of are sweet corn, cab
bage, and possibly lima beans.
Canned vegetables still account se9r
out Of every z pounds of process
ed vegetables. But the use Of fro
zen vegetables is increasing rapidly
and with improved technology in
the frozen food field, high consum-
er incomes, and increased use of
convenient foods" the demand for
/ frozen vegetables will continue to
increase. Packers and growers to-
getheT must recognize this trend
and adjust paintings, varieties, and
cultural and marketing practices
in line with this trend.
Field Crops
Corn: The trend in increased
acreage of corn in Delaware will
continue next year. The rate may
be slowed down to some extent by
the low price and smaller yields
received this year and by the pos
siDility of more rigid controls over
inter titled and price supported
crops. Corn and sOybeans offer the
farmer the opportunity of produc-
ing a cash crop on acreage not
otherwise needed to support the
farming program. Time and labor
requirements are relatively low
and some farmers US the crops to
supplement income from other farm
enterprises or income from off
farm employment
Soybeans: In spite of a substan-
tial decline in price of soybeans in
1856, soybean acreage is likely to
continue its rapid growth in 1856
The exceptionally good yield this
year has more than Offset the price
drop making soybeans a fairly at
tractive cash drop. It is most un-
likely that yields next year will be
as large as those of 1866. On the
other hand, prices received by
farmers for soybeans are expected
to be even below the 1855 harvest
season level AS a cash drop, soy
beans hold a position similar to
that of corn as explained in the
lnrnopdinpr nara ora1lh