Milford chronicle., 1960-10-07
Tobacco Prospects Excellent

In Pennsylvania Lancaster
County, tobacco growers are har-
vesting and curing another large
crop of quality leaves that should
bring good prices. Tobacco is
heavy, with a high moisture con-
tent that will require some breezy,
dry curing weather If shed burn is
to be avoided. Some of this crop
was planted later than usual, so
frost dates are critical, as in the
case of corn.
Vegetable Yields Larger
Our vegetable growers seem to
have had fewer problems than in
the 1859 season. Production gen.
orally was heavy and in nearly all
cases quality was high. Prices in
the fresh market showed consider
able fluctuation this year and we
heard complaints on that score.
Most of the weakness in local
markets, however, seems to have
occurred early in the season. Later
returns on sweet corn and toma-
toes are said to have been better
than year ago. Contract prices
on crops grown for processing
were no higher than in 1859 but
volume was somewhat greater.
Adequate moisture reduced irri-
cation costs and most growers
were reporting less difficulty in
controlling plant diseases and in
sect pests.
Orchard Fruits Of High Quality
According to crop estimates as
of September /, this seasons har-
vest of fall apples may be about
one-fourth smaller than in 1855
and considerably below the ten
year average. The Delaware and
New Jersey crops were cut sharp
ly by Hurricane Donna. Reports
from important growing areas in
Pennsylvania indicate light pro.
duction centered in three leading
commercial varieties. Quality OF
all apples, however, is said to be
high with respect to both size and
color. Peaches were an unusually
good crop this year and appear
to have brought fair prices in all
local markets.
Cranberries and blueberries rank
nigh among the small fruits grown
In this area. The cranberry cror
produced in New Jersey is expect
ed to show some reduction this
year Market prospects at present
are hard to appraise because OF
the unfavorable publicity associ.
ated with last falls cancer scare
however, growers appear to fee
that with the safeguards thai
nave been taken, the consumer
has been largely reassured or
THIS score. Blueberries are said te
nave been high in both yield an6
quallty and to have brought slight.
ly higher prices than in 1859.
Dalrymen In Good Shape
Dairy herds, with the benefit ot
lush pastures for grazing owe,
most OF the past season, are de.
scribed as being in excellent con.
dition. Very little supplemental,
feeding has been necessary. Sc
da1rymen have saved substantial,
on the feed BILL Moreover. witt
ample supplies of homegrown
reeds in prospect they appear t.
be In very good shape for the win
ter and early spring. Milk pro
duction has continued high. Conn
ty agents are reporting general,
satisfactory market conditions =
Dut, OF course, the milk check al
ways could be larger. Surplu,
milk problems have not been to,
serious and in some areas a slight
ly larger proportion of output ha,
Deen going into the fluid milk mar
ket where it commands a some
what higher price.
Fewer Beef Cattle Feed
Feeder cattle operations con
tlnue on a somewhat smaller scale
IN many areas this year. For on,
thing, price weakness in finished
cattle has been a problem from
time to time. And this, along will
the relatively high cost of replace
ment stock, has discouraged ex
pansion in this type of farm en-