Title: Pennsylvania vegetable growers' news, v. 2 Place of Publication: State College, Pa. Copyright Date: 1932 Master Negative Storage Number: MNS# PSt SNPaAg058.3 SOME PAGES IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAIN FLAWS AND OTHER WHICH APPEAR ON THE FILM "YOU'RE NEVER FULLY DRESSED UNTIL YOU WEAR A SMILE" Something New This publication marks the beginning of a new venture on the part of your Pennsylvania Vege- table Growers' Association. During the past year or so the association in cooperation with the canners of Pennsylvania has been publish- ing a "bang-up" issue of the News along with the Ten-Ton Tomato Club Report. Every mem- ber of the association, as well as many people out of the association will agree and have a- greed that this issue is among the best publishr ed by any state organization in the country. This has been good and still is, but it repre- sents one "big spurt" from the association tq the members once a year in early Spring and then things seem to "hang in air" until time for the next issue of the News the next year. In other words, the association, as a working tool for its vegetable grower members, be- comes a bit stagnant perhaps during the time of the year when the industry is at the peak of its activities, and when members could use new and pertinent facts and information which night be useful in the production and harvest- ing of bigger and better crops of vegetables. With this brief introduction and explanation, the publication committee of your association has decided to launch upon this idea of getting several issues of the News out to you in the form of a simple news letter. This is your first issue; read it over, criticize it both adversely as well as constructively, and let us know your thoughts on it; anything for the GOOD of our association. It will serve to keep the association and mem- bers in touch with each other during the year, and perhaps give members a little more for their dollar invested in membership. WHAT DO YOU THINK? LET US HAVE YOUR HONEST OPINION. BUILD BUILD BUILD "Therefore, when we build, let us think that Iwe build forever. Let it not be for present de- light, nor for present use alone, let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for, and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time will come when those stones will be held jsacred because our hands have touched them, nd that men will say "as they look upon the labor and the wrought substance of them, 'See, this our fathers did for us.' " — John Ruskin 3^/ Membership As you have no doubt gathered by this time, our primary aim in this first issue is to get every member thinking along the lines of greater strength and a bright future for the association. The old adage that "In Numbers There Is Strength'' still holds true. Some years back The Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers' Association boasted a membership of 1000 or .more members. At present we have something over 200. This certainly doesn't show growth, strength and progress. We can't expect won- ders from our organization if we don't Get Behind it with support. What about this, members? Maybe you feel you have supported your association, but what about these 800 members who have fallen by the wayside? Can't we do something about it? Let's get them back into the fold. If every pre- sent member would make it a point to get one new member by September IsL, our member- ship would be doubled. What do you say, members? Let's get these past members back with us and some new ones too. Use member- ship blank at bottom of column. This is strictly a membership issue ; More News will follow in next issue. ATTENTION 1—1949 Ten-Ton Tomato Grow- ers. We have not forgotten about your Ten- Ton Certificates; they are in committee hands — ^will be mailed soon. (cut on dotted line and mail with dues) APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP in The Penna. Vegetable Growers' Assoc. Name Address Enclosed find my $3.00—1950 dues. This includes P.V.G.A. News and affiliated mem- bership in Vegetable Growers' Association of America. (Mail dues to H. B. Gerhart, Box 21, Curryville, Pa. — SERVING THE VEGETABLE GROWERS OF PENNSYLVANIA — <^A Viticize the rest of us. Pennsylvania To Join National Vegetable Week, August 5-IJ The 3rd National Vegetable Week is designed to acquaint the public (consumers) with the importance of vitamins and energy in vegetables, to suggest various uses of vege- tables in the daily diet, and to recommend methods of preparation (salad making and vegetable cookery) to ob- tain the greatest amount of food and health-giving value. Also, to stimulate wholesale and retail outlets and pur- veyors of food to promote the sale and use of vegetables in over-supply in order to make good use of them, to avoid waste and loss to the grower. Further, to encourage i research, marketing, packaging and transportation in order to give consumers fresher vegetables and better quality lat lower prices. jit is the desire of the Pennsylvania National Vegetable Week Committee to tie-in with the program being promot- ed by the Vegetable Growers Association of America and the interest displayed by nationally known food organiza- tions, including the National Association of Food Chains, A & P Food Stores, Coca-Cola, Kraft Foods Co., and many . national publications. This year, 1951, the National As- ^ sociation of Chain Drug Stores has urged its members to participate. The following groups will participate: 1. The Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers' Association, 2. County Growers' Or- ganizations and Cooperative Marketing Groups, 3. The Wholesale Commission Markets and the Retail Food Store organizations, 4. The Hotel and Restaurant Associations, 5. The County Agricultural Extension Associations and the Marketing and Home Economic Specialists of Penn State College, 6. The Rural Farm publications, newspapers, [radio and television stations. liss Hilda Ann Hogeland, daughter of a Bucks County egetable grower, has been selected as Pennsylvania State .Vegetable Queen. She will be featured in radio and tele- vision programs and in vegetable cookery demonstrations and in many other ways during National Vegetable Week. A tie-in of National Vegetable Week with the Pennsyl- vania Civil Defense program will emphasize its impor- tance in the economic life of the State and Country. DO YOUR PART, LITTLE OR BIG, TO MAKE NATION- AL VEGETABLE WEEK IN PENNSYLVANIA A REAL SUCCESS— EVERYBODY WILL BENEFIT!!! HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT, TOMATO GROWERS AND CANNERS — HAS OUR TEN-TON CLUB OUTLIVED ITS USEFUL- NESS ? ? ? Should we have a 15 ton Club or a 20 ton Club? Let us have your ideas on a change for this coming season. How should the new club be set up? Let us have any suggestions you have. Write to your secretary, H. B. Gerhart, Mart- msburg, Pa. looveis any ot us to Hilda Hogeland, of Davisville, Named State Vegetable Queen Hilda is a typical wholesome product of 100% American farm life; the 18 year old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. New- lin F. Hogeland, a successful vegetable grower, operating an 87 acre farm at Davisville, Bucks County, that has been in control of the Hogeland family since 1870. In ad- dition, 80 acres of leased land are cultivated. The major production of the farm includes potatoes, cucumbers, hay and grain crops and a poultry flock of 4000 chickens. Since her early *teens, Hilda was a helper on the farm, hoeing and being generally useful. Later she learned to drive the truck and tractor, hauling vegetables and other crops to the packing-house. She assisted in the grading and packing of cucumbers for market and became very effi- cient in this operation as 8000 bushels were harvested during the season. Her record of accomplishments reflects the imique farm family environment so evident in American Agriculture. She was an active member of the Bucks County 4-H Club, participating in many projects, the profits from the sale oi .the crops produced in these projects were set aside and saved. Through conscientious work and thrift, Hilda was prepared to help substantially to pay her expenses for four years at college. Hilda has led an active student life and is proficient in sports. She was graduated with honors from the Upper Southampton-Warminster High School. She is now com- pleting her first year at Penn State College (Liberal Arts), later to major in Home Economics. Hilda has a vivacious personality, outstanding poise and all the other qualities recognized and admired in young American womanhood. ATTENTION Many past members have let their associa- tion down by not paying their dues. We're trying to do a job in behalf of the industry, but it takes money to operate. Help us help you by paying your dues if you have not as yet. Paid up members owe it to their organization to get new members, or old ones back in good stead. (cut on dotted line and mail with dues) APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP in The Penna. Vegetable Growers' Amoc« Name Address Enclosed^ find my $3.00—1951 dues. This includes P.V.G.A. News and affiliated mem- bership in Vegetable Growers' Association of America. (Mail dues to H. B. Gerhart, Box 157, Martinsburg, Pa. — SERVING THE VEGETABLE GROWERS OF PENNSYLVANIA TEXT CUT OFF PElTNSyLVANIA -^/EGETABLB GRO^'RS' ITBWS VOLIBffl 2 APRIL ..1932 »^— ■■■ ^pa irjMBER 1 . Officers of the State Vegetable Growers' Association President - v/illiam G. Vienker, Bustleton Vice --President -CM. Smith, Lewis town Sec^y-Treas. - V/. B* llack, State College V/ith this issue, the publication of the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers* News, the official organ of the State Vegetable Growers* Association, is resumed, after a lapse of nearly four years. Its circulation to members of the Association will continue as long as interest in it raay justify it, and as long as funds are available to finance it. It is proposed to publish numbers whenever sufficient material accumulates. . ■' Members are invited to submit items of timely interest, which will be published as space is available. Inquiries on any subject will be referred to the proper authority, and if the subject is judged to be of widespread interest, the answers will be included in the Mews. Discussion of such topics, together with notes on new methods and discoveries in vegetable growing and distribution, will make up the Hews. Our President, Y/illiam G. 'Jenker, suggests that members keep in mind the next annual meeting, and suggest to the Secretary topics v^ich should be included in 'b:ie program. He suggests also that members tell, us what they think of the News, and if they have suggestions for its improvement, make them in writing to the Secretary. A suggestion has been made that the Vegetable Growers arrange a display exhibit advertising Pennsylvania produce, possibly in cooperation with the Potato Growers, at the 5arm Show. Ideas on this subject should be communicated to our representatives on the Farm Show Committee, V/illiam G, V/enker and K. N. Dudley of Bustleton, and Gilbert S. Watts of Bellwood. The following report is an abridged Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the State Vegetable Growers' Association, held on January 19 and 20, 1932, in the Farm Show Building, Harrisburg . - 2 - ATTNUAL I^ETIIJG STATE VEGETABLE GHOv/ERS' ASSOCIATION KARiaSBURG^ PENNSYLVANIA JANUARY 19 and 20, 1932 Roadside Marketing E7cperiences ft Mr. Ralph Crov;ell, Buckingham, Pennsylvania, a success- ful grower of fruits and vegetables, and an onerator of a thriving roadside market since 1919, spoke on* "Roadside Marketing Experiences". He says that a roadside market for vegetables and other produce, to be successful, must not be hard to distinguish from a "Hot Dawg" stand. Ke has observed that a location on the right side of the road for motorists returning to tovm is most favorable; a good sales room is a distinct advantage, but not a necessity; brand names and attractive labels help in advertising, but quality in the products and fair, cheerful dealing are necessary to hold customers. Some of the -oractical suggestions made by Mr. Growcll \vere the followingr Rectify mistakes or misunderstandings cheerfully, and thus make friends v/ith customers. Keep a mailing list and notify customers when certain desirable varieties are ready. Grade your produce. Keep a sales person on Jiand at all times. Vtfl:en selling in small qixantities, do not sale prices; on the othCx' hand, excessive not be charged. sell at whole prices should Clean packages, preferably carrying the name, address and telephone number of the market, should be used. the his they ancng fr. ^ ^ ^'^' Crowell finds that adverse v/eather is one of tew drawbacks wl ich influence the roadside market, he and Pnn^+ tr-®''^°^'^^ *^®^^ contact with the buying public, and count their acquaintances and f riendshi )s made in this vay the things which make life v/orth living. Chain Stores as Vegetable Markets and Mr yvJ''^^v ^-^ ^" ^""ij^? Lewistov/n, President of the Association, "Mark^;i;^\^-m''^"^A.^^^^"?^^^l^» ^^^ the discussion on With ?ai2! *°Cl^ain Stores." Mr. Smith's experience has been f ound S!^ ;o^^';''^i °^''"^ ^" central Pennsylvania. He has lound them satisfactory customers in many respects, though they ^ 3 • are inclined to deoend more largely upon supplies from distant wholesale sources," than upon the local grower, Mr. Evans pointed out that chain stores may^'work considera>:le h^ardship upon growers through their practice of carrying "leaders*' at prices much below the prevailing" re tail prices, and often below the wholesale price, Ke gave examples from his experiences last summer, when the wholesale price of certain vegetables, potatoes in particular, took sudden drops which were unaccountable until it v/as noted that large chains of stores had carried these products as leaders. Independent stores, in order to compete, had refused to pay the current wholesale price i and all producers suffered ih consequence. Mr. Evans stated that he considers it easier to sell to 500 individual buyers than to one buyer for 500 stores. Ee believes that the chain stores whose mp.nagers buy independently are in a better position to handle vegetables profitably than those which are supplied from central warehouses; such managers are as easy to deal with as are the operators of independent groceries. CommisBion Marketing of Vegetables Mr. C. W. Waddington, of the Atlantic Commission Company, Philadelphia, could not deliver his address on "Commission Selling of Vegetables from the Standpoint of the Commission Dealer" . Little discussion of this topic was forthcoming, in viev; of the fact that fev7 growers present sold their crops on commission, and those who did so, found their dealings v;ith their particular commission houses to be quite satisfactory. The Depression a Challenge to Vegetable Growers the ussed Dean R. L. V/atts presented an inspiring talk on "Challenge of Pennsylvania Vegetable Gardening" . He disc the factors involved in bringing about the present world-v/ide depression, and gave his judgment concerning the extent to which they affected the grov/er of veget^obles in Pennsylvania, he pointed out that, regardless of the problems and difficulties confronting them in the present situation, d few of our vegetable farmers are bankrupt or dependent upon chai4ty. V/ith the advantages of nearness to market, improved culture methods, excellent varieties, and the best of highways over which to haul produce, the future, though not rosy, is promising, and affords reasons for optimism. New Jersey Experiences with Green Manures Professor H. R. Cox, Extension Specialist in Soils, New Jersey -agricultural Extension Service, related the experiences of New Jersey vegetable growers ^yith green manures and cover crops. He pointed out the advantages of the practice of green manuring and cover cropping, among which were the conservation of nicrogen and the maintenance of the humus content of the soil, and tlie prevention of leaching and erosion, both by wind and water. The - 4 - reasons for the popularity of rye, hairy vetch, biennial vmite sweet clover, crimson and other clovers, and mixtures of tiiese crops. RcUes of seeding v/ere mentioned; rye or wheat, 6 to 8 pecks per acre { clovers (except alsike) 20 pounds per acre; vetch alone,* 30 pounds per acre; vetch, 15 pounds, and rye, 3 pecks. The necessity of -olovang dovm green manures before they become woody, and the advisability of applying readily available nitrogen to hasten decomposition of the green material, v.'ere discussed. Organizing the Vegetable Farm Business Gilbert Watts, Bellv/ood, Pennsylvania, who manages successfully a vegetable, small fruit, and orchard farm of more than 125 acres, and conducts one of the best known roadside markets in eastern United States, presented some interesting observations on the organization of the vegetable farm enterprise. He described his method of keeping a detail blue-print map of his farm, on which the cropping plan was indicated in pencil, and the record of the crops as planted v/as kept in ink, to make a permanent record. A schedule of his plant growing', operations is made, and the schedule is strictly adhered to. In organizing labor, he has found that the fixing of individual responsibility is the ultimate solution of the problem. If the worker is responsible for certain units of v/ork, and can be checked upon by his foreman, high standards of worlananship may be maintained. Working on a piece-work basis simplifies the fixing of responsibility; the marking of baskets or boxes, with a definite number^ for each picker, makes it possible to check the work of the individual picker, even in the distant retail market. Bookkeeping and cost accounting were mentioned as essentials of a well-organized vegetable farm business. Among the other points of organization mentioned and described were the planning of fields on a definite area basis; arranging of irrigation lines to fit the field plan; the rotation of crops and green manures on a definite system, and the planning of a fertility program, including liming, fertilizing, and green manuring; and the organizing of marketing. Vegetable Variety Trials and Demonstrations in 1931 W. B. Mack, of the Division of Vegetable Gardening, State College, and J. M. Huffington, Extension Specialist, reported the results of variety trials and demxanst rat ions in 1931. Among the dependable varieties and strains of vegetables described were Golden Early Market, 'vVhipple's Yellow, and Bantam Evergreen sweet corn; New York No. 12 head lettuce; Laxtonian, Hundredfold, Laxton's Progress, Laxton^s Superb, and Thomas Lcj^xton peas, r.ll early, large podded, sweet wrinkled, dwarf or semi-dwarf varietie California Wonder, World Beater, and Early Giant green and red sv/eet peppers, and Oshkosh, green and yellow sweet peppers; Brittle Wax or Round Pod Kidney Wax and Pencil Pod Wax, yellow round podded stringless beans; V/ardwell and Sure Crop V/ax, or - 5 • Yellow Bountiful, yellow, flat poddod stringless "beans; Strin^less and Giant Stringless Greert pod, and J'ull Measure, green, round podded stringless beans; Bountiful, ^reen flat podded stringless bean; several superior strains of Marglobe tomato; and Fordhook Bush Lima bean. Marglobe tomato types were reported as being of two distinct types, a large, somewhat flattened, moderately thick walled type, and the other a smaller, more globular, very fleshy tyr>e with superior color; Black Knight, a very well colored beet of" the Detroit type, and Lutz's Green Le<"-f, - late, half long beet. Among the new varieties discussed were the following: Delicious tomato; a deep-globular, fleshy, mid-season market or canning tomato; Progress, a self -pruning, very early strain of Earliana; Tangerine, an orange yellow, large, sv/ect tomato for home garden use; Mills' Golden Sunrise corn, a late, very large, vigorous sweet corn of good quality, which withstood blowing down much better than many other tall-growing varieties; Mikaeli, a Norwegian late cabbage, simil-r to Dc-nish Ballhead, but with a more rounded head. Serious Damage by Insects to Vegetables in 1931 L. 3. Smith, Extension Specialist in Entomology, St^.tc College, discussed the major insect pests of garden crops in 1931, By way of introduction, he stated that the annual American feed bill for the insects attacking vegetables is $300,000,000 vfhich represents the total value of the veget:..bles produced in the United States in 190U. The damage done by insects represents about 20 percent of the entire value of the veget'-ble crops grov/n in the United States. Some of the insects which are most likely to cause serious financial loss in Pennsylvania are these r On sweet corn - Corn borer, corn ear worms, Japanese beetle. Cleaning up corn refuse is the control for the f irbt, and dusting the silks with arscnicals is the control for the last two. On tomatoes - flea beetles and Colorado potato beetles. Arsenical sprays must be used in the control of ttiese pests. On cabbage - imported cabbage worm, cabbage looper, and cabbage aphis. Arsenical sprays or dusts for the first' two, and nicotine sulfate sprays or dusts for the last. Root maggot is controlled by the corrosive sublimp-te treatment. On celery - celery looper and celery leaf tyer. Pyrethrum dust or spray is effective on the latter. - 6 • On asparcigus - Common i:.sparagus beetle and 12-spotted asparagus beetle. Use arsenical or rjyre thrum dusts or sprays, after cutting iaas been discontinued. On beans ^ Mexican bean beetle. Thorough and timely dusting or spraying with calcium or magnesium arsenate . On spinach -Aphis or lice. Hicotinc ^..nd soai^ spray, or ' 4* percent nicotine dust, applied on the under surfaces of the le-ves with tlic proper equipment. cucumher and related giants.- Striped cucumber hcctle, 12-spotted cucumTacr beetle. Thorough dusting or spraying at vcekly intervals v/ith calcium arsenate and gypsum, from the time the plants are up until the blossoms appear, will give satisfactory commercial control. On Squash bugs - were very abundant in 1931, can be controlled by hand kicking in the small garden, or by nicotine spr^-ying, or by dusting with 4 percent nicotine dust, within 4 or 5 days after the eggs have hatched. Control of insects attacking truck crops, however, cannot be secured by one or two spraying or dusting operations. Proper farm sanitation necessarily is one of the important control measures for all types of insect enemies. Mr. Smith emphasized the f-^ct that properly adjusted or adapted equipment, and timely, thorough covering, are essential in securing control of insects v/ith sprays or dur " ^ ists. Spraying Celery Prof itr-.ble in 1931 R. S. Kirby, Extension Specialist in Plant Pathology, State College, discussed the important diseases of celery, wl.ich v/ere unusually severe in 1931. Ke reported the results of spraying demonstrations in Philadelphia County in 1931, in v/hidi complete snr-.ying (9 or 10 times from July 25 to October 25), resulted in a gain of 58 crates per acre over 2 sprays, ana of 66 crates over no spraying. The cost of the increased yield, based on the cost of spraying, v/as 34 cents per crate. The important diseases of celery,* according to Mr. Kirby, are c-rly and late blights, Sclerotinia rot, and, to a lesser extent, bacterial heart rot and bacterial leaf spot. A celery disease control program should include seed treatment (v/etting the seed thoroughly vath a suspension of o ounce of calomel in 1 gallon of water) , . 7 - L.nd spraying v/ith 4-4 - 50 Bordeaux, once to 3 times in the seed 'oed and from 6 to 11 applications in the field. Crop rotation and farm sanitation are necessary to control Sclerotinia rot; if damage from it cannot be kept in check in trench storage, cold storage must be adopted. Hints on Celery Growinj; Mr. Walter E. Peeling, Williamsport , and Frank M. Haugh, Montoursville, presented an interesting discussion of celery growing. Varieties, plant growing, soil preparation, fertilizing, disease and insect control, blanching, and storage were taken up. Mr. Peeling suggested the broadcasting of an ounce of seed to 10 to 15 sash as the proper rate of seed sowing in frames. He rakes this in lightly, and covers with a thin mulch cf fine manure. For field grown plants, sov/ in rows 18 inches apart, cover with a very shallow cover- ing of soil, and keep moist i Frame sowing is done from February 10-15 to April 1; field sov/ing on April 1. The temperature in frames is regulated closely, between 70 and 75 ^"F. on fair days, and at 60^ F. at night. Part of the early celery is planted at distances of 8 X 10 inches under glass. Field planting is at dist>-nces of 8 x32 inches. In planting, care must be exercised to liave tap root straight dov/n, and the heart or crown of the plant above the surface of the soil. Tie crop should be cultivated once a week until fall and hoed tv/o or three times, as necessary to control v/eeds. Spraying starts when plants are tv/c weeks old, and is done at intervals of not longer than 10 do.ys, until the celery is harvested. Bordeaiox mixture 4 - 4 • 50 is used, v/ith a pressure of 175-200 pounds. Soil should be well fertilized with liberal applications of bo.rnyard manure, and cover c-nd green manure crops should be grov/n# Liming annually with 1/2 ton of lime per acre was recommended. One tor of 5 -10 - 5 fertilizer to tlie acre is the usual application* Moisture should be abundant at all times. For storage, trenching should begin about October 15 and continue, if weather permits, unxil November 15 . Trenches are one foot v;ide and as deep as necessary to contain the celery; these are covered by placing two six-inch boards on sticks laid across the trench, and covering those in turn with paper and manure, the thickness of which is dictated by the temperature. - 8 - Spinach and Greens Inqreo.se in Importance Clio^rles K. Hallowell, Phil^delphia, discussed the production of spinach and other greens. He reported that of a total of 2002 carloads of spinach sold in Philadelphia in 1931, 614 carloads were hauled in motor trucks from Pennsylvania farms, and 682 carloads in the sr-me way from Nov/ Jersey farms. He recommend- ed the following as necessary steps in producing good spinach: preparation of a fine and firm seedbed; application of 1500 pounds per acre of 6 - 6 -► 5 fertilizer before seeding and 200 pounds of readily available nitrogen fertilizer when leaves are formed; liming sufficiently to maintain the soil nearly neutral; use of proper varieties ( he recommends Long Standing Bloomsdaie for plantings before August 1, and Virginia Savoy after that date) ; the sowing of 12-15 pounds of seed per acre broadcast, or 10-12 Dounds when drilled in 12-inch rows; cultivation once or twice with wheel hoe or small tractor in rov:s, or once v/ith a weeder or spike- tooth harrow when soil is di'y on the surface, in the afternoon on a clear day; harvesting by hand with knives and packing in bushel hampers or baskets, and dipping in cold v/ater from 20 seconds to two minutes before sending" to market. Other greens discussed v/ere dr-ndelion, mustard and turnip greens, escarole, chicory endive, and sour grass. Mr. Hallov/ell listed the virtues of spinach as an article of food, stating that this vegetable leads all others in its mineral matter content. It is first in iron, potassium, and magnesium, and third in calcium; it is rich in vitamins A, E, a,nd C, and is an excellent source of roughage. V/l:en well grown and properly cooked, its palatability is high. Sweet Corn is Leading Pennsylvania Vegetable Mr. Robert M. Rohn, of Geigertorm, presented his experiences in growing sweet com for the markets in Reading and its vicinity. Mr. Rahn grows about 15 acres of sweet corn annually, half of \vLich is early. Kis choice of varieties is based on trials on his ovm fann. Tlie varieties preferred are Golden Early liarket for early yellow, Wliipple's Yellow for second early, and Golden Giant for late yellow; Early Mp-rket for early v/i ite, Whipple's Early for second early, and Early Evergreen or Stov/ell's Evergreen for late white varieties. Ke selects his ovm seed in the field, taking only disease-free ears from desirable type plants. Ee finds a sandy loam preferable for early corn, and wide* variety of soil types satisfactory for later production. Sod land is preferable though any soil well supplied with humus will do. Stable manure, with 500 pounds per acre f 4-12-4 fertilizer broadcast and 200 pounds per acre applied in the row, makes a good fertilizer treatm.ent, specially for early corn. I.r. Rahn makes plantings from April 15 to July 15. He cultivates frec;uently enough to kill weeds, and does not concern himself with the soil mulch. He does not sucker sweet corn, having found that it does not pay. Ee harvests his corn in the milk stage, • >~ ^ •' • 9 - and hauls the ears 3/4 of the corn at the rest. ta market in slatted crutes. He sells about the market stand in Re--ding, and wholesales Early Market Tomatoes Un^rof itahle in 1931 Mr* Byron M. Breisch of Ringtown related his experiences in growing and marketing tomatoes. He has not found early tomatoes to be profitable during the past tv/o years. PENNSYLVANIA VBGBfivBIE GRO^«ERS' NEWS VOLUl'iE 2 JULY, 1932 i*iWI i» Nll/BBR 2 ^ I I immmm^m Publication of the State Vegetable Growers' Association William G. Wenker, Bustleton, President C. M. Smith, Lewistown, Vice-President W. B. liack. State College, Secretary -Treasurer. the if Three timely articles are included in tliis issue of Hews. If these articles interest you, let us know about it; not, we welcome suggestions and requests - or, better still, send us your own articles, opinions, experiences, etc. Time to begin thinking about. the Vegetable E:diibit at the Parm Show ner.t winter, and the oroLrara for the annual meeting. Professor H. C. Thompson, Head of the Department of Vegetable Crotjs, Cornell University, will Judge the Exhibit and ^/iH have something worth while to contribute to our meetings. The Program Committee will welcome suggestions for toques, speakers, or tooth, Trtiich may be communicated through the Secretary -Treasurer. SWEET COfiN WILT AND STALK ROT A severe outbreak of wilt and stalk rot diseases has occurred in Pennsylvania this year. These diseases have been most severe in the western part of the state, slightly less severe in the central part, and least severe in the southeastern ijart of the state. Reports from other states indicate that one or both of these two bacterial diseases are severe in all of the surrounding states. The wilt disease should not be confused with com root rots since it is a disease of the vascula-r bundles. The stalk rot disease also affects the vascular bundles, and in addition, causes a brownish discoloration of the inside of the lower nodes of the corn stem. How to Identify these Diseases usually ap,.ear when the plants Infected plants may die at Sym^jtoms of these diseases are six to twenty -four inches high, any stage of development. In ^oung slants, the leaves become limp, showing a typical wilted condition. 'Yellow or white streaks often run nearly the entire length of the older leaves. Infected plants are often severely stunted, and tassel prematurely. The tarisels die and turn white, while the leaves wilt and die as if killed by frost. * 2 - i.;n T^e va.scular Dundlee turn yellow or bro^vn in color. The inside of ihe lower nodes may become brownish purpic. Yellow or creamy drops containing bacteria form at the ends of the bundles m infected stems when freshly cut. Cause : • Both of these diseases are caused by bacteria. Investigators have re sorted that one or both of these diseases arc carried from year to year in or on the seed, in old. dead ^lant parts, and in the soil. The oacterie. causint the wilt disoase have been reported as being spread by insects and even by pollen from diseased plants. V/ct v/cath'-.r and hiji soil temperatures following planting favors infection by those bacteria. The Bantam types of corn arc ro^jorteJl as being tlie most susceptible to both diseases. The latest maturing varieties of sweet' corn are the most resistant. Control: bince both diseases have been found associated, control measures should be considered for both diseases at the same time. 1. Disease free seed. Buy seed as free as possible from these diseases. If homo grown seed is used, care should be ta^-en to select seed ears from plants apparently free of the disease. 2. Rotation of crops should be pru&ticed, care being taken not to grow aweet corn after any other type of com crop. 3, Corn stalks or cobs should not be placed on ground on which sweet corn is to be planted % 4, Seed treatment, ^iiAch is usually a paying practice with sv/eet com, should be prr^cticcd. VTiiile the foregoing statements might seem to be rather discouraging to the sweet corn grower, one must remember that weather conditions the past summer, v;intx.r, and soring vrore abnormally favorable to t he dcveloiTinent of these diseases, and that with the return of more nearly normal weather, tnese , „. . diseases will be less severe and more easily controlled. R,t>. Kirby State College SKVIilG S'iBSST CORH SEUD Sarly maturing varieties of sweet corn have been receiving special attention from seedsmen and grou'crs in recent yecrs. Locally grown awcet corn of high quality, marketed before the l.%st of July, almost always sells at a much higher price than thut sold at the height of tiic season. Variety demonstrations, conduct- eded in nearly every county in Pennsylvania, show very clearly that "seed makes a diffurenco", vA.cthcr the crop is grovm for early or late maturity. This year iiiany gro%vers arc saving a portion of tlicir ovm seed for next year's planting. /- - 3 - Seed plants should Idg selected as soon as ^c cora is r^A^ *- or harvest. Barllness in the seed plants is important. JifLicct^ plants my be marked hj, tying ^ hriolxt colored st briftlit colored strip rf^rotrSounrth.^ sSirjusTbol-o; thelassel. A good sized, ^tock? hSaS plant ^vith a good eizcd and vrell shaped ear is higSly dostraSlo: seed selected from the moot vigorous plants produces the largest yield. Sweet com varieties cross pollinate vorj' readily r.mong ii prevent mixing. E^-rvest the plants stalko and husks arc dead. as soon as they are itf^.ture, when the t-iKH rna xiuai^a ...« -w-wx. Immature cced have a tendency tov/ards oariScsr^uness vi.or and yield, ^if'^^'? P^^^*^, ^fJ/J^ ^?,* typical for the variety or show signs of disease - either in tnc root, c-talk or car. 0 Husk the selected cars coon after harvesting and .jlaco The ?ir ma^ he wartrod to a temperature of 100 degrees ^. wiwiuu. Immirinnho vig^ of the seed. Air circulation and lo;v humidity, in addition to a warm temperature, hasten drying and eliminr.tc mold s. iiftcr the cars have UecociC thoroiighly dry they mc shelled, sacked, and stored in a dry place. ,y h Jesse M. Kuffington State College HOES ON VEGETABLE IJ^SECTS Thus far, the season of 1932 has hccn notahlc for the abundance of certain of the more imijortant vegetable insect pests, n.e Mexican bean beetle, flea beetles, Colorido potato beetle, corn car-worm and several species of cut worns have all to,jcen a heavy toll from this year's crops where proper preventive measures have not been a^olied. The Mexican bean beetle in particular caused severe dakisc during July and the later crops should be carefully watched and as soon as the beetles arc found attaching them aT3ply the sprays or dusts recommended. One part of magnesium arsenate diluted with five parts of hydrt^tcd lime hr.s aivcn excellent control on the larger commercial plantings in the soutn eastern oart of the state. In localities where magnesium arsenate is not easily or quickly obtainable, calcium arsenate m^'^-y .d c substituted, using one part of calcium arsenate diluted v/ith nine parts of hiiJa trade hydrated lime. The most essential feature determining the effective control of tic bean beetle is the proper placing of the poison on the under sides of the leaves. Bean beetles do not feed on the - 4 - iit)Der aurfaces, aXthoueh tlicy may be found restine on them, and it U essential that the poison is applied so that the xmder "urf^^-ces of all leaves axe covered. Growers using poT?jler dusters have found considerable benefit from using a cloth or liglit burlap tent attcwjhed t-o the duffter and covering the plants and nozzles as the dust is being applied. This results in a more uniform and better distribution of the dust particularly if tlxc wind is blowing. Early sv/cct corn in many of the eastern and central counties is beine damaged by the corn car -worm. This insect is causing more serious losses each year to the Pennsylvania owcct corn crop. In many counties \7herc damage has heretofore occurred only to the late plantings serious losses arc no\/ occasioned to the early crop. Ho entirely satisfactory method has yet been devised for the control of this pest although the thorou£,h application of arbcnioal dusts before and at the time the sillc ao, cars offers souie pr::i:nisc. Late s^ifcct com, or corn riocning after August 20, should receive protection. Use cither ooual oarts of lead arsenate and suit rfinc ducting sulpliur or use equal parts of calcium r-rscnate and a high grade hydratcd 1 imc . • In olantings up to an acre in size, the apolication may be made vdth a hand duster, prcfer-iblc one giving a heavy dis- charge of dust. Apply the mixture to all parts of the develop- ing ear and especially to the tip. Use at least 15 to 20 pounds of dust to each acx*e . Pnv/cr dusters should be set so the care will receive the full blast of the nozzles and should use at least 30 to 35 t)ounds of dust per acre. The first application slaouid be made 3^s"t before or as the first sillr appears. Apply the second dusting vAien bctwccr 5^ and 25^ of the e ills is show- ing and nakc the third or last dusting M^^en tyic corn is in full silk but before more than 55^ of tLc silk hn-s turned brD\irn. The results obtained will depend very largely upon the thoroughness of the application. Squash bug.s are beginninti to appear and excellent results arc bcinc obtained in their control by the use of pyrcthrum extract, pvrethrum has proven more effective than nicotine against the mature bugs. ccond brood of potato fioa beetles is appearing in mbcro, ^?atch your late tomatoes and eggplants, '.i/hen The B very large numb .^ — ^ — — these tiny beetles ap lear, add 3 ^,o\xMi: of calcium arsenate to each 100 (gallons of Bordeaux iri-:turc or use 3 pounds of l-:ydrated lime, 3 pounds of calcium arsenate and 100 gallons of v,-ater. Thoroufc^h spraying, particularly tlxc tops of the oiants is essential for good protection. ^, » o t V . 5 - Wire-worms attc-cking carrote, turnips and certain othov croos S email gardens mo.y be destroyed by the ^f?_^^f' °^Jf '^^ of pyrcthrum and sor.p applied directly to t He -s oil^-aTrout the roots of the plants. f„rrn ITul^X'^r]" ThiS If^^^ ?n !L.nc. In tho provontl.n of injury "by a stubborn post. Loren B. Smith State College BSNNSYLVAITIA VEGETABLE GROYflSRS^ MB\7S Volume 2 December, 1932 No. 3 Publication of the State Vegetable Growers^ Association William G. Wenker, Bustleton, President C, M, Smith, Lewistown, Vice-President W. B. l^ck, State College, Secretary-Treasurer TWO WQRTFOTIILE PROGRAMS Two programs which will be interesting and valuable to every vegetable grower in the Commonwealth are the Ninth Annual Horticulture Week at State College, December 14, 15, and 16, 1932, a program of which has been sent to each member of the Association, and the Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers* Association in the Fann Show Building, Harrisburg, on January 17 and 18, 1933^ The program for the latter meeting is as follows? Tuesday, January 17 - . 9r00 - 12:00 a, m. Remarks by the President, William G, Wenker, Bustleton, Chairman. Market Reports, their Collection and Use. - J* G. Scott, U. S. Bureau of Agricultural Economics, Philadelphia. Supplying Vegetables for the Roadside Market Trade. - Harry G* Bra^kbill, Malvern, Studies on Grading, Handling, and Storage of Vegetables. • H. C. Thompson, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. The How and V/hy of Vegetables. • Grace P. Bacon, Extension Nutritionist, State College. Growers* Q,uestion Box* Afternoon Session, 1:30-4:30 - Past President, C* M. Smith, Lewistown, Chairman . Recent Studies on Cultural Practices for Vegetable Crops. - H. C. Thompson, Cornell University. Portable Irrigation in use on Pennsylvania Farms, - Walter B» Nissley, State College. Q,uantities and Time of Application of Irrigation Water. - G» J. Stout, State College. New and Old Reliable Varieties of Vegetables for Pennsylvania. ^iV. 3* Mack and J. M. Huffington, State College • Growers^ Question Box. « • r> -2 - ViTednesday, January 18 Morning Session^ 9:00 - 12t00 - Williara G. ^J/enker, Chairman Serious Insect Pests of 1932. - L, B. Smith, State College. CotnljattinE Diseases of Sv/eet Corn and other Vegetables. - R. S. Kirbyj state College. Growers' Q,uestion Box on Insects and Diseases. Business Session, Afternoon Session, 1:30 - 4:30 - Dean Raloh L. Vfetts, State College, Chairman. Timely Remarks "by the Chairman. How the Cabbage for the Farm Show Exhibit was Grown. - R. ±5. Stutzman, Vintondale. Kow the Celery for the Farm Show Exhibit was Grown. - Charles K. Hall owe 11, Philadelphia. . vr ^ ^ Ext>eriences in Sweet Corn Grovang. - Charles P. bhenot, Jexford. Vegetables for the Farm Family. -Ella Reynolds, Home Economics Extension Representative, Lewisburg. Food Bills and Garden Vegetables. - Mrs, F. K. Benner, Vicksburg. Vegetables for Our Family Every Day of the Year. - Mrs. John Miller, Mifflinburg. . The Union County Farm Garden Program. - L. E. Craumer, Lewisburg. Growers' Q,uestion Box, Every speaker has information which will be valuable for Pennsylvania vegetable growers, questions, experiences, and discussion will be v,elcome. Half -Fa re Return Certificates The Secretary- Treasurer has a supply of Round Trip Identification Certificates, which entitle the holder and dependent members of his family, to a round trip by railroad for t^^ree- fourths of tiiG regular fare (Full fare to Harrisburg, and half - fare return) . Members who are paid up for 1932 are entitled to these certificates, and may secure them by sending a self- addressed, stamped envelope to the Secretar;^^, VI. B. lilack. State College, Pa. If you are not paid up, send ^1.00 for a year s dues, and your certificate will be mailed by return mail. •ru Items Contributed by Walter B. ITissley, State College, Tomato growers who practiced mulching with straw or other litter between the rows about the time the plants started to branch and set fruit were very well satisfied v/ith the results. This practice is becoming more general each year, especially with farmer grovrers who have the straw available. * % IRREGULAR PAGINATION • « • - 3 - The tomatoes are more easily gathered, they arc clean and during dry periods the mulch conserves moistute, thus decreasing the amount of blossom end rot. Several tomato growets in Allegheny County compared the practice of pruning tomatoes to two stems tied to four foot stakes with the ordinary practice of not pruning and not staking. Penn State Earliana and Bonny Best varieties were used. !rhe results showed that there was practically no difference in earliness and the yield of marketable tomatoes from 12 plants was as followsj 1st grower 2nd grower Penn State Earliana Staked Unstakod 59i lbs. 129V lbs. 84 lbs. 123 lbs. Bonny Best Staked Unstaked 73 lbs. 68 lbs. 91 lbs 86 lbs ♦ »