Title: Pennsylvania vegetable growers' news, v. 4 Place of Publication: State College, Pa. Copyright Date: 1934 Master Negative Storage Number: MNS# PSt SNPaAg058.5 Volume 4 PENNSYLVAJ^TA VEGETABLE OROVffiRS^ N3t7S 1934 No. 1 publication of The Pennsylvania Vegetable Gro vie rs» Association Harry G. Bracicbill, Malvern - H. N. Dudley, Bustleton W, B. Mack, State College president Vice-President Secretary-Treasurer The regular annual business ueetinf, of the Pennsylvania Vege- table Growe?!^ Association was held in Roora 2 of the Farm Show building. Harrisburg. on Tuesday ^f*e^^^°^' J^f .^J^ J'^J^ V^^^JmII in the absence of the president, vice-president harry G- ^^^^f^^^^ irP^ided The minutes of the meeting of January 18th, 1^^3, were fead and 'approved? The report of the treasurer wac read and ac- cepted, and a copy was appended to these minutes. The matter of affiliation with the Vegetable Growers' Asso- ciation of iuaerica was discussed, but action was deferred until the next day. The nominating Committee, appointed by iJ^^^Ji^^-PJtttswk consisting of Gilbert S. .mt.s, -^l^^'^^' ^-^ following sllte- and ./. B. Nissley, State College, ProP^s^^^^^/^^^^^iJ^ I V President - Harry G. Brackbill, Malvern; Vice-President - h.N.- Dudley. Bustleton; Secretary-Treasurer - W. B. Mack, State college, directors - I. F. liende, Bristol; •-. H. -vans, ./ilkes-Barre; J. B. Nissley, State College; H. N. Dudley, Bustleton; Chas L. Meyer, Pittsburgh; and ./alter Peeling, ..illia.isport. AS there were no nominations from the ^ 1°°^» ;5J^/°f ^?*J°''^ were declared closed and a motion was made and seconded to elect thtt slate unanimously. This was passed. The meeting was adjourned until the foH°vi"^P*^*^*,.ot*i.p«i^ time, the proposal to affiliate «ith ti.e Vegetable Growers, asso^ ciation was again considered. It was ^J^f ^^ ^^i^^!^f|: the f^a^ter bellwood and seconded by R. R. Brader of Berwick to refer the mttor to the Board of Directors for furtney consideration and action. This was passed without discussion. Resolutions >?ere passed as follov?s: 1 The Pennsylvania Vegotablu Growers' Association appreciates th. improvement^' exhibit ffcilitics, P^^^i/^^^J^y ^^^^.^'^^^nd placed over the displays and the exhibits of leaf ^^,^^f ^^"^^^^^^ requests of the Farm Show Commission that °^°J^^,^f^i^^^^^.^%Pjt°crop over the remaining parts of the exhibit, particularly the root crop exhibits, at the n«xt Farm Show. 2. The Association requests that its ^^^i^^* ^^f^i^^ltrietl'^s structed to provide suitable labels, showing the names of varieties viii * :i -2- li. ■■ i 111" H and kinds of vegetables ejchlbited .. with the Farm Shov/. In the Annual rJxhibit in connecti on 3. The Association directs that its representatives on the I'a nil- Show Corjciittee be instructed us to ttie requests to be med.j of the /arm Show, as regards exhibit space and facilities, raeet^n^ rooms, etc. ° The Secretary was instructed to take the necessary steps in ...notifying the persons involved in the above resolutions. The Treasurer reported a balance in the treasury of ;;?66.47 as of January 15th, 1934. Receipts for 1933 were as follows- ' Balance, January 19, 1933 - ;i?71.46; Dues - $39.00; Total j^lO.46. iijcpenditures were as follows: ilxpenses of spea.cer before annual raeeting, January 17, 1933 - $5,63; Cup for winning display among State Departaent of ,/olfare Institutions, ^aO.OO; Publication and mailing of Vegetable Growers' News, ;^27.36; Total J)43.99. ' " TALKS BEFORB THS" Am^UAL IlIiiSTING The Effect of Certain True k_C rops on the Yields of the FoU'owiBg Crop a '■ '~\. w ».. J < til v;, ii. Mack - -State College •Rotations Of field or general fana crops are so well estab- lished by experifenoo that' they are taken for granted. The order • corn, oats, wheait, andhay is part of tne inheritance of every na- tive Pennsylvania farmer, but if the native Pennsylvania farmer turns to trucK crops, then what? Jill it be cabbage, swuet corn, tomatoes and beans, or onions, carrots, potatoc;s, cabbage, and pumpkins? Truck-crop rotations are as varied as field rotations are const£.nt, partly because tht 'crops grown on one truck farm often are different from those on another, so the t little co:amon experience has been accumulated, and partly because little hj.s actually bean Known about the relative effects of different truck crops in c suc- cession, except .vith reference to injurious insects and diseases. •• ^.xperimental studies at tht Rhode Island Agi'lculturcl Experimental ' st-tion hiivo shown that certain crops, when grown fbr two years in succession on the same area, may eXert either fcvortible or unfavor- able influences on other crops which Ibllow them. Certf.in truck crops, such us cabbuge, com', t.nd potatoes, have the' reputation of V . f 5^^^ °^ ^^"^ ^^■"^' '^'^ °^ depressing the yields of other crops, which follow them, but there is little experimontul' evidence either for or against this belief. ' Field-plot experiiients which were intended to contribute in- lorruation on the subject thus" suggested were begun by the Departraant ox Horticulture of the Pennsylvania State College in 1928. The plan ^Li ^i^"^^ ^^ *^^ ^^^^^ ^^ planting were such that each of nine different truck crops followed itself . and each of the others in every season after the first. This was done by arranging 81 plots -3- in nine tiers of nine plots each. In odd years, each crop occupied an entire tier of nine. plots, and in eVen years, the crops each occupied the plots numbered the saiae as the respective tier on which it had been grown in the previous year. iCarly cabbage, for exaiaple, occupied Tier 1 in 1929, and Plot 1 in all tiers in 1930; onions occupied Tier 2 and sweet corn, beans, potatoes , toraatoes, -suinnier pumpkins, carrots, and late cabbage occupied Tiers 3 to 9, in order, respectively, in 1929, and plot 2, 3, etc., respectively, in all tiers in 1930. In order that the saiae crops mipht not be grovm con- tinuously on the sarie plots, the crops were rotated on both tiers • and plots in alternate years. Early cabbage thus occupied Tier 1 in 1929, Plots 1 in 1930, Tier 2 in 1931, and Plots 2 in 1932; each of the other crops ?/as advanced in sirailar manner, except late cabbage, which occupied Tier 9 , in 1929, Plots 9 in 1930, and Tier 1 in 1931^ and so on. ■\ The soil of the experimental area was Hegerstown silt loam, vvtdch was ;V/ell drained, fairly uniform in superficial physical char- acteristics, and productive, i^efore being placed under experiment it was used for the grov/inc of general faru crops in the usual four-year 'rotation of corn, oats, wheat, and hay. The acidity varied from approximately pH 6.1 to 7.0, that of most plots being between 6.3 'and 6.7. Part of the area, including three tiers of plots, was nearly leyql, while the remainder slop^jd toward the- southeast. All 'crops vvure fertilize^ at thti rate of 40 pounds per acre of nitrogen, 120 pounds of Pg O5, and 40 pounds of KoG from nitrate of soda, superphosphate, and muriate of potash respectively. A cover crop of rye and winter vetch was, sowed annually on each plot as soon us prLcticoble after tho .truck crop grown in tho given season had been harvested* .;, .: * » * In summarizing tha results of th.. experiment, It was necessary to* roport the yields on th' I'M u' ' ll ■ < m \* " ! 'ill Hi -4- Table 1. The influence of different crops on the average yield index of the crops which follow tnem in the next season* r ■♦ ilVCXCL^C 1 xcxu xiiuxuo: i ux axA r>Jx. Av, for 1930 1 931 1932 .'3_i'ears 10& . 6 115.9 102.7 T i 108.7 111.6 110.7 91.0 1&4.4 • 95.3 " 107.8 • * 1 .fl V 109.3 104.1 101.7 103.4 95.8 100.3 67.9 98.1 94.3 86.8 84.0 91,5 97.2 90.9 114.3 - 92.6 105.4 104.1 118.1 97.4 103.4 , - 106.3 97.5 84.7 100.9 94.4 Preceding Crop ^arly Cabbage Onions Sweet Corn Beans Potatoes Tomatoes Summer PumpKins Carrots Late Cabbage • The crops following potatoes , *tor:ia toes , and sweet corn in 1930 were poorer than those following other crops; in 1931,. the lowest yields were those follov;ing late cabbage, tomatoes, and beans; and in 1932, crops following onions v/ere poorest, v/lth little differences among the others. Averages mean but little v/ith such variability frOcii season to season, and for this, reason the low averages for three years of crops following potatoes, to^jatot^s, and late cabbage, havt^ little significance, if any. In oach caee, the average yield of crops following the particular crop in ond or more of the three seasons was but littlti belov; 100* i. It is evident, therefore, that the crops themselves had but little influence on the succeeding crops , althougli in certain years all crops following a given crop were poorer than after others. This fact suggests that circumstances or conditions accomnaiylng the par- ticular crop weru thw cause of the depressed yields in the following season. In several cases, the crops were siac.ll after crops which Were harvested late in tho fall, such as potatoes or late cabbage. In such cases, the cover crop was planted late, and natural ly grew less than cover crops planted earlier in the season^TX . -^ t The experiiients briefly described here call attention to the possibility that cultural practices on a crop in -one season may have serious effects on crops grown in the next season. The circumstances accompanying the growing of the potato crop in 1929, which resulted in a reduction to 67,8 per cent of the average, in the yield of crops following potatoes in 1930, and those accompanying the growing of carrots in 1929, which resulted in an increase to 117.9 per cent of the average, in yields of crops folluwing carrots in 1930, were certainly important enough to deserve consideration. -5- In what way- do these facts apply to truck crop rotations? The^ do not enable us to say definitely that corn should follow early cabbage and should not follow late potatoes. They suggest, however, that an opportunity should be provided in the vegetable rotation for the soil to recover from possible unfavorable influences accompanyinf- certain crops, a crop harvested late miglit better be followed by a crop v/hich is planted late in the next season, so that the cover crop may attain sizable growth in spring if not in the fall. ^■• Influence of Soil Reaction end Organic Matter on the Growth of Vepe table Crops - i By* H, H. Zimmerley,. Director Virginia Truck Experiment Station ^ The subject of soil reaction and liming for vegetable crops has become of increasing importance to the vegetable growers in the Eastern United States during the past few years. The use of large amounts of commercial fertilizer containing acid forming materials such as sulphate of ammonia has greatly increased soil acidity on many of the truck and market gardening farms. Many of our brands of truck fertilizers contain sufficient acid forming materials that 300 to 500 pounds of limestone is needed to counteract the acidity produced by' each ton of fertilizer. The continued use of these acid forming fertilizers since 1925 when sulphate of ammonia was first used in .large quantities has in many cases brought our soil reaction to the point where the acid sensitive vegetables such as spinach, lettuce and beets are severely injured by conditions accom- panying acid soils. kVlien soils become extremely acid toxic aluminum is brought into solution. The phosphorus which is applied in the form of coimaercial fertilizer is tied. up as aluminum phosphate and . the supply of calcium is often deficient. Many Virginia fariners have become so interested in maintaining the proper reaction for their ..vegetable crops that testing soil and liming according to . recOiOiiiendations has become a regular practice. •• • . ' • • * ' • * • The problem of liming soil6 for vegetable is considerably com- plicated where potatoes are grown in rotation with vegetable crops wnich are intolerant to acid soil conditions. The Virginia Truck Experiment Station has been conducting experiments for a number of years to determine the most acid condition under which many of our sensitive vegetable crops can be satisfactorily grown in the same rotation with potatoes. It has been found that the lower range of satisfactory growth for. the more sensitive crops such as spinach, lettuce and beets depends somewhat on the organic content of the soil and on soil type. The degree of acidity at which aluminum comes into solution varies considerably with different x soil types. Increasing the amount of. organic matter in the soil tends to keep aluminum out of solution and enables the crops to grow at a lower reaction than is possible if the soil is deficient in. organic matter. This, however, does not markedly influence the range of optimum growth for most of our crops. The following is a grouping of vege- table crops according to- the lower range of soil reaction for. optimum growth: It ' i; i 1 HI m'i Jii: ( r II II -6- -^i pH 5.0 - Strongly Acid pH 5.5 - Medium Acid pH 6.0 Slightly Acid Group 1 Tomatoes Sv?eet Potatoes v/atermelons Potatoes bO . '/I Group 8 Snap Beans Lima beans Carrots Cabbage Collards Cucumbers iSggplant Kale Mustard . Tpar snips Peppers Squash PumpKins Turnips Radishes iS Group 3 Asparagus Beets Brussels Sprouts Cauliflower Celery Cantaloupes Leeks Onions Peas Spinach Swiss Chard I SB 't The upper i^ange should not be above pH 6.5, which is slightly acid. The neutral or alkaline soil is in general not well adapted to the grovvth of most vegetable crops. Spinach, beans, sweet pota- toes, lettuce, and other crops tend to become chlorotic if grown on neutral or alkaline soils. This grouping of vegetables applies largely to Virginia conditions and for soils which do not have a very high organic content. It is expected that the same relative responses to soil acidity will be shown by these vegetables under Pennsylvania conditions* The experience of spinach and beet growers in the various sections of Pennsylvania indicates that very acid soil con- ditions are just as detrimental to these crops in Pennsylvania as in Virginia. e t It is recomrjended that soils be maintained in a slightly adid^ condition, the.t is between pH 6.0 to 6.5, for most vegetable crops unless potatoes are to be grown in the some rotation. If potatoes must be grown in rotation >/ith vegetable crops it is desirable to arrange the rotation to include the crops listed in the medium acid tequirumcnt Group 2, instead of thosu requiring only slightly acid conditions (Group 3). Furthermore, increasing the organic content of the soils by thu use of large amounts of grc^n ia::inural crops or sta- ble manure will enable the grower to produce vegetables at a lower reaction than would be possible if the organic content of the soil is low. This would enable him to maintain the soil at pH slightly below pE 5.5 and grow potatoes without lauch danger from potato scab, still obtaining a good yield of the crops listed with a medium acid requirement • pH is simply a term used to express the degree of soil acidity and soil alkalinity Just as the terra "feet" is used to: express measures of distances. pH 7.0 is neutral; pH 6.0 is slightly acid; ' pH o.o is medium acid; pH 5,0 strongly acid; and pH 4.5 very strongly -7- acid. In other words, the lower the pH the greater the acidity. Soils above pH 7.0 are alkaline. Growers should become famiJJar with the term pH because it is being more widely used each year an-f is a ■good measure of the active acidity in the soil. It is. rdcomraendjd that vegetable growers have their soils tested by some reliatio iie- thod through the agency of the County /igent, Experiment Station, or someone competent to perform this service. Golormetric methods of making soil determinations have been so simplified that it does not require a highly technically trained individual to test soils for pH. The amount of lime to use to bring the soil up to thj desired pH value will vary considerably with different soil typos. Advice re- garding this can be given only by those acquainted with local condi- tions. If rapid action is desirable it is essential that the lime be in a very finely divided .state. For this reason hydrated lime is preferable for very quick results. On the other hand if soils can be limed somewhat in advance of planting it may be more economical to use the cheaper foims of lime such as the carbonates^ commonly called ground limestone. For the lighter types of soil which are frequently deficient in iijagnesium it is advisable to use a dolomitic lime, that is one which contains magnesium as well as calcium. » ' * ... * ' ^ Observing growers can determine the lower range for satisfactory growth of vegetables on their own far:as and in the various fields by having pH determinations run on the soil where the crop is growing satisfactorily and where it is making poor growths A careful record should be kept of the soil reaction on tho different fields from year to year and also the amount of lime used in order to determine tht; effect on the reaction of using different amounts of lime and also the effect on crop grov/th. .The Use of Nitrogenous Fertilizers G. J. Stout - State College .Liberal supplies of available nitrogen must be present in soils Qn which vegetable crops are being grown if good yields of high. qual- ity produce are to be obtained. The questions regarding when to use nitrogenous fertilizers, how much to apply, what form of fertilizer ,to use, and how to apply it are discussed briefly* here. First* Nitrogen compounds (nitrates chiefly) which are pro- duced during the decomposition of organic matter during the growing season are generally lost by leaching due to the heavy rains of fall and early spring. Also, this same decomposition which produces ni- trates during the summer, produced nitrates very slowly in early spring when the soil is still cold. At such times it is particularly important that nitrocenous fertilizers be applied to these very early crops in order to maintain satisfactory growth. Later in the season, nitrogenous fertilizers are not so necessary, especially if the soil has been well manured or cover-croppc.d. Second: The major consideration in deturnining which kind of nitrogenous fertilizer to buy is that of PKICE PER TJNIT OF PLANT FOOD. I.. I ';i -'^r • ; ;il )l This usually elizainates the so-called organic ♦♦carriers^ of nitrogen because they are generally higher in price than the inorganic such as nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, urea, cyanaxaid, nitrate of calcium, and others^ Much importance has been placed (mostly by the manufacturers) on the presence of small quantities of '♦rare** elements found in organic fertilizers or in the mined chemical fertilizers but to date there is very little, if any, conclusive evidence that Penn- sylvania growers should pay any more for fertilizers on tliis. account. Third: The quantity of nitrogenous fertilizer to apply depends on time of year, amount of organic laatter or manure in the soil, and on the kind of crop to be grown. For the very early crops, an appli- cation of 200 to 400 pounds of nitrate of soda or sulphate of ammonia per acre is generally sufficient £.nd often more than the crop can use before some is lost through leaching • The average crop of cabbage will require a total of about 600 to 700 pounds of nitrate of soda or its equivalent per acre but if the soil has been well manured, half of this nitrogen will be supplied by the decomposition of the organic matter. Loaf or salad crops such as lettuco and spinach, and the root crops require approximately the sarae amount of nitrogen as cabbage. The group of vegetables which produce fruits or seeds will develop satisfactorily on a bout two-thirds this amount. Fourth: There are three important mt;thods of applying nitroge- nous fertilizers; broadcast, in the row- or hill at planting time, or as a side-dressing during the grov/ing season. The first of these is preferable under most conditions, the fertilizer being broadcast and worked into the soil before planting season. This is the best method to use wiienever a complete fertilizer (one containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash) is used, but if soiiie soluble nitrogenous fer- tilizer is applied in this way much of it may be lost through light soils before the plants are large enouch to take it up. In such cas<^8 it is better to apply only part of th*; fertilizer (all of the phosphor broadcast and then ♦^side-dress** with soluble nitrogen fertilizer dur- ing the grov/ing season. This, met lied gives flood results with crops such as cabbage, celery, toiaatoes , and others which require a fairly long growing season. The nethod of applying the fertilizer in the row or beneath the hill, has given good r'^sults in m^^ny tests. Every precaution must be taken to keep the fertilizer from coming in con- tact with the seed, ./ith certain crops such as sweet corn large amounts in the row iJ5iy result in reduced stands; smaller amounts, however, have produced good results. Other crops, such as tomatoes, cabbage, and potatoes, can utili2ie large applications advantageously. i. v. Irrigation with Porous Canvas Hose John R. naswell * State College The use of a canvas hose to conduct water for surface irriga- tion has long been a practice in the western part of the United States. The nethod is briefly mentioned in U. S. Fanners ♦ Bulletin 1635 on page 22. The hose can either be condemned fire hose or home made froa strips of heavy canvas seived with a double seam. The sizes reconmended were from 2 to 6 inches in diameter. All of the water went out the end. Several years ago the Michigan State College of Agriculture end. Appl^^ed. Science, East tensing, iiade tests and deiaon^t rat ions i/^itii-a pbrous canvas hose with the end away from the water supply tiexi ..y]^ and all the water delivered throughout the entire length of the^lldsjs throujjh the piores of the canvas. The worlc is reported in •2xtemiba B The hose Is laid on the surfe^ce of the grpufid be,tween tv/o r'oWs'of vegetabl;es or fruit to be ir rioted. After operating the puiap until, a sHyifi^icient amount of water has been applied, the hose is moved over from one to tvvo rows, depending somewhat on the crop and the layout of the ground. , . . ..« ■^''■:< ^- '.f ■*: -¥ • In a demonstration with early toDjatoes in the greeiahouse at the Pennsylvania State College, one Une.df hose 92 feet long irri- gated six rows of plantsr, all in/one bed*. This line was. laid in the middle of the bed and a number of .little furrows taken q.utto the sides. By this method, i't.wa& never necessiary to move the hose. As there was only a 3/4-inCjh pipe supplying the water, connection ? was iaade to both ends of the hose at .the 'same time- ^: One of the problems in $uch. a system of irrigation is to get an ample supply of water although the head neoeissary Is not so .im- portant as it. will operate under about a 10-* foot head or four pounds pressure per square inch though a 30- foot Kead^ is better. Under > extreme cases y as much as one, galloxi per minute has been forced through each foot of the hose, alt hougji om average can be taken as about one-third to one -half gjal Ion per minute. The following para- graphs are taken from a Michigan reports. ' ■ . • ■ . . * * . ' '••' ' ' '♦In most cases^ the liose linos, were laid In each row and al- lowed to remain long enough to seep out the desired amount of water: Hose, in lengths up to 40 rods, was us qd without difficulty, es- pecially when the field had, a gentlj :8ji^ope. Thi; water v/as carried over irregularities three 'feet high. The amount of water which will seep out of at length of hos.o dependawpon -the pressure. j(l hose 100 V feet long, will take all the water a 2.,P00 gallon per ^our pump will- deliver. If 400 or 600 feet of hose are attached to the same pump, the hose will simply deliver a smaller amount of water per foot of length. If the capacity of the pump is too small, ttie leakage of the hose may absorb the entire flow of ^vater from the pixmp before it reaches the end of the hose. When th.is occuxs,.. the 'seepage is not very uniform. '^ • . ' • ■ . • ' ■ ♦•Large quantities of water are required to irrigate properly even rather small areas. For. instance it takes 27,15'4 giallons to cover an.aore one inch deep with water. Seldom is it ^aslrable to apply, le^s than that amount and often heavier appllcf^t ions are desirable^ Furthermore; the available supply and the facilities . should be "suoh that -this amOuOt can be:^pj)li^^ a* 10-hour period, 90 that there Will not be r'u^ With some crops, such as straWberries,: weieikly or even mpre frequent applications are xiesii'able. This would call Ibr a puxttji and other equipment having a 3,000-gallon per hour capacity. If it is deatred to cover a larger acreage per day or the same area witbih^a -Hhorter period the pump and other equipment must have correspondingly greater capacity. *• .. , . * *-• „. r« • •' 1 t ! II )i- - * J i , v '* T Diseases of Cabbage arjd Related Plants George L. Zundel ^ State College,' Agricultural crops are subject to disease frora the time the seed sprouts until the housewife cooks the product for food. The cruciferous crops, such as cabbage, oauiiflower, broccoli, kale, radish, etc., are no exception to this rule. In 1932 nearly one^sixtl of cabbages grown without employing diseasf control measures were killed or rendered worthless for human concuaiptlon by organisms In this paper pome of these diseases '-' ^ct.iacT ao*i;j ^'^•\ObO,u> i. axii^^*. causing rots and club root, will be discussed. X *J 'i Rhizoctonlose Rhizoctoniose is a general term applied to various diseases caused by. the common soil-inhabiting fungus Rhizoctonia solan 1 -11- . ... . .* . ■ and include such diseases as daiiping-oxl", wire-stem, root rot, and bottom rot. _ .. , ■ . . Damping-off: Seedlings of all cruciferous plants are attacked by Rhizoctonia solani in the cotyledon stage. The attacked plants . at, first sjiow signs of wilting as if the soil were too dry. Upon exaraination, a water-soaked area will be found at the surface of the. soil. Soon tl^e diseased seedlings fall over on the soil, and the fungus grows out on top of the soil in all directions and at-. tacks other seedlings* ' • * ■ ■ ■•• " ' • '' rr V/lre-stem: Ofg6r)|;he Rhizoctonia- fungus fails to kill the seedlings entirely. Such seedlings are stunted and the leaves, are .more or less mature .and hard. Diseased seedlings often 'lack the proper amount of leaf bloom or waxy covering, and are extra long • stemnied. When seedlings of this character are examined that.por^/ ^tion of the soil about a half inch above the soil is found to be blackened and stirlvelud, presenting a v/ire-like appearance.: .The most severely infected plants are killefl* • - : . ■ « , • • • - Root rot: The early stages of this, disease are. not easy to diagnose, and it is only when it is viell developed that root rort ■can be accurately diagnosed. It ts on cabbage plants that are planted in wet soil that the disease is mo.^t frequently -found. The - symptoms first noticed is a yellowish-green color in the leaves, together . with a wilting of the leaves. These s^^mptoms gradually •extend to the entire plant and are evidence that the, outer part of the stem is killed by the Rhizoctonia' fungus. -. . . ■■■■■"■ 'I ■ ' "■ ' Stem lesions: In many instances > v .the Rhizoc.tcnia fungus pene- trates the stem only in limited areas, producing stera^Tesions. The . disease is most cohspicuous-on' ti'jrnips an^i radishes. The spots on radishes are at first small. The initial infection takes place through infected rootlets. The .spots may increase in size so as to cover a whole side of a root, becoming brownish-black and slightly sunken. As the diseased radish enlarges, it becomes irregular in. shape and the spots crack open. Diseased radishes cannot be de- . , tected until they are pulled, .■■■••'■ •'".•■ ' ••*•■. • ■ ■ . • ' • ' . " . . Bdttom-rot: In this disease the Rhizoctonia fungus grows up the main stem and attacks the lo-iAKsr part of the head of cabbage, causing a rot. The most rotting occurs on that part of the cabbage head where the head leaves biecome firm.. This killing also occurs on the stems of leaves of turnips and Chine^se cabbage. This rot continues to develop in storage and in transit so that diseased heads of cabbage should be discaroed. . • •. • . Control - All of the so-called diseases thus far discussed are really different manifestations of .one fung-^s, Rhizoctonia solani, that .lives in the soil. Soil sterilization is therefore to be recommended. It. is advised that the coil of all seed beds be sterilized either by live steam or by a formaldehyde dust. . A i' 'i hi I 1 C ^U *-. !■ i! 1 " It I' f (I M i'ii -is- The use of disease free plants is very necessary in order to prevent the development of root rot and bottom rot. Destroy all infected plants by burning, v\*ierever practical. Club Root This disease is so-naiaed because of the club-like swellings >, that develop on the roots. It is caused by one of the lowest forms of plant life known as slime no Ids. Technically, the causal or- ganism is known as Plasmodiophora brassicae . The spores of this organism live in acid soil for long periods of time. \/ith favorable moisture and temperature the spores germinate into small motile bodies that penetrate the root hairs of tte cabbage or other crucif- erous plant. Once the organism is in the host plant, the root cells are stimulated to enlarge and multiply rapidly, thus producing the club-like swellings. The action of the perasite on the roots inter- feres somewhat with the normal function of the roots in absorbing water, so that diseased plants usually v/ilt in midday when it is hot and dry. The slime mold finally grows within the roots of the host plant and forms innumerable spores vdiich are liberated into the soil when the roots decay. This disease is usually most severe in low, daii5) soil that is poorly drained. Control - Use uninfected soil, or else disinfect the soil used in the seed bed. Initial infection generally takes place in the seedlings. Select well drained fields for cabbage or other crucifer- -13- Destroy infected plants. Do not allow them to get in the ma- nure pile or be left in the field. Practice crop rotation. The rotation should be a long one. Lime infected soil, using air-slaked lime. Apply just previous to setting out the plants and in sufficient qxiantity to neutralize the soil and leave an excess of limev Black Leg This disease is distinguished by the blackening of the stem. It is caused by a definite fungus kncwn to science as Phoma lingam, the spores of which are seed borne. Plants may be attacked from seedling stage to maturity* • On the seedlings the cotyledons of infected plants turn yellow and the plant dies. On older plants the underground part of the stem turns black resulting in the killing of the tops and most of the fibrous feeding roots. The leaves wilt and drop off and the plant becomes "shanky.** On the leaves brown spots develop with small black spots scattered over them. These black spots are the cores in vdiich the fungus spores are produced. Control - In order to control this disease effectively it is very essential to secure disease free seed* It is also recommended to treat the seed with corrosive sublimate or with hot water. It is also advised to destroy all diseased refuse and waste material^ Black Rot Black rot is so named because of its most conspicuous symptom. It is caused by a bacterium, Baoteriuia compestre, that is carried or the seed ana also lives in the soil. Infection may take place at any tine from seedling stage to nearly maturity. Seedlings may be Killed, or they may be the source of carrying the bapterium into the field. The organism lives in old infected plants and upon their decay the bacterium is introduced into the soil. Diseased cabbage heads should not be stored since they are followed by a soft rot. Infected seedlings exhibit a wilting and a drying out of one or both of the cotyledons. Infections begin at the margin of the cotyledons or the leaves, and spread downward into the plant* The bacteria enter the plant through the ivuter pores on the edge of the leaves. • The source of infection roay be froia infected seed or by rain splashing the bacteria upon healthy from diseased plants* After the bacteria enter the cotyledons or loavus they migrate downv^ard through the vein6 causing, them to become more or less blackened. As the bacteria proceed downward the leaves t\irn yellow and usually drop off the plant* The bacteria go from the leaves into the stem and spread rapidly in both directions from the point of infection, finally killing the plant and destroying tlie head of cabbage, or discoloring ciulif lower and broccoli* Control - Use disease free seed. It is also recommended that seed be treated vvith hot water* Corrosive subliuate will also kill many of the causal bacteria. Never set diseased plants in the field. It is very necessary to examine carefully all plants since a light infection may not be noticeable in the young plants. It is also worth while to sterilize soil in the plant bed either with steam or formaldehyde dust. A crop rotation is recomraended in order to avoid the use of infected soil. . Alternaria Leaf Spot or Black Spot This is a fungous disease caused by two fungi, Alternaria brassicae and Alternaria herculea. On tlia leaves, brown spots with concentric marKings or zonations are produced, v/itji the pro- duction of abundance of spores the spots become black in appearance; hence the name "black spot disease. •' \ihlle the fungi causing this disease attack all crucifers, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli are probably the most severely affected. Infection may take place during any stage of the life of the plunt. Frequently the growth of seedlings are retarded by de- foliation. On half-grown plants bad spotting of the leaves may . cause them to turn yellow and drop off* Sometimes on cabbage a blacK decay may develop on the stem and lower part of the huad* The initial signs of Alternaria leaf spots on young cabbage or cauliflower plants appear as sli£.11 dark brown or black spots about one-eighth inch in diameter on tho leaf petioles and blades. 1 fn 1^ > pi r ' y ! Ill (I ! ; I I \ -14- and if too nmaerous may cause a yellowing and death of the leaf. The spots enlarge more rapidly on Chinese cabbage, turnip and radish ^ causing more leaves to become yellow and die, although fewer spots develop. On cauliflower and broccoli ninute sunken areas appear on the head. These spots gradually coaleooe, resulting in a black dry decay sometimes over the entire surfaov^ of the heexd. These fungi spread in transit and in storage so that it is necessary to cut out the affected parts. A bruise is an ideal spot for the entrance of these fungi which spread during t.rahislt. On broccoli the infection ia almost entirely confined to the head, rarely attacking the leaves. Under normal conditions, this disease is of little importance, but 'the causal fungi are nearly alv/ai^s present and v/ith the advent of warm humid days entire fields may beooae infected and seriously damaged. Occasionally Alternaria leaf spot attacks cabbage heads in the field, causing irregular development and a black decay* The decay is most frequently located on the petioles of the lower leaves on the stem. Control - The destruction of all infected refuse; both in the field and in the packing shed is a most Important requirement for control. Spray, using Bordeaux mixture 4-6-50 (lump lime) to which has been added one pound of calcium caseinate per 50 gallons of , spray. Handle the crop carefully to avoid bruising, since it is' thruu^ bruises that the rot-producing fungi enter, >/nlte Rust . . « This disease is found mos.t- commonly on radish, turnips, and . mustard. It is not a true rust, but is caused by the fungus Albugo Candida. The disease is easily recognized by the chalky white pustules of spores on the under side of the leaves. .•- ■I .^ .t The first symptoms to appear are yellow spots on the leaves which gradually enlarge raising the epidermis which finally cracks, exposing the white spore mass. The spore masses are often in cif- . cular rows of small pustules which are alv/ays on the under side of . the leaf. The fungus develops rabidly in dry weather. Dew fur- nishes enough moisture for spore germination ana infection of plants. Plants may be infected on the cotyledons or the first true leaves. In this state, this is generally a greenhouse disease. • * « Control - Destroy all infected plants, since the fungus lives over in old cruciferous vegetation and on wild* crucifers. Spraying with Bordeaux mixture as recommended for Alternaria- le&f spot will probably prevent some infection.. Seed Treatment ' ' - — - - . - « All seeds of orucifera should be disinfected before planting, in order to kill all seed-borne diseases and other destructive organisms. -15- :V -f Corrosive Subllmiate - This is a deadly stomacF poison. It may be purchased from any drug store. Use a 1-lOCiO solution (1 tablet in 1 pint of water) or one ounce of crystals in seven and one-half gallons of water. Dissolve in hot water in earthen or wooden containers - never in a metal container. After the solution has been prepared, place the seed to be treated in a cheesecloth bag, filling it one-third full, and tie loosely so that the seed will have plenty of room to float in the solution* Soak 15 to 20 minutes; then remove the seed and thoroughly wash the seed in fresh water. Plant at once or spread out In the shade to dry. r - Hot Water is used to kill certain bacteria on the seed. This treatment should be used only by competent people. First secure a standardized thermometer. The water bath should be large enough so that a constant temperature can be maintained, and so that it will not exceed 122^F. After the water is at the proper temper- ature of 122^F. , the seed, having been previously put into cheese- cloth bags, is immersed for 30 minutes, then removed, rinsed in cold water, and either planted at once or spread out to dry 4 After taking the seed out of the hot water bath, dust -with an organic mercury dust.- This acts as a stimulant to the seed. .-. • • V- I «. Sweet Corn ./ilt •W*i R. S. ICirby - State College During 1932 and 1^33, sweet corn wilt suddenly assumed the role of the most destructive disease of sweet com. The loss during these two years has averaged around 25 to 35 per cent. Four lines of control work have been tried out - namely, seed treatment, se- lecting ears from disease-free plants, crop rotation and the de- struction of corn refuse, and the planting of resistant varieties. Under seed treatment, we ran greenhouse tests and one demon- stration at the college. Some slight benefits seemed to come from seed treatment; hov/ever, it is doubtful if this can be considered' as a reliable enough control measure to put much weight on. Seed selection - In the fall of 1932, a cooperative test was arranged with a grower in Blair County in the selection of sweet corn seed from plants free from wilt. This seed was planted in 1933, and at harvest time a check up showed that the amount of wilt was from four to 35 per cent less in the seed groiMi from selected ears than in the same varieties which had not beenselected. Under crop rotation, it is recommended that insofar as poss- ible growers plant their susceptible varieties of sweet corn on ground which did not have sweet corn in it the year before, and that care be taken to avoid placing of any corn stalks or any other corn rubbish on ground to be planted to sweet com. ii ! I J! >■ w t !j|l i;* ■ 1 I iif>M Ml il m\ I ■■ I • I i I 'fH Resistant Varieties - Throu;.?li the cooperation, of Dr, G. M. Smith of the U* S. Department of Agriculture, we were- abl6 to get . a supply of the Golden Cross Bantam seed and also a supply of Top Cross Bantam, During 1S33 approxinately 25 demonstrations . were " conducted on varietal resistance. Most of these demonstrations were checked and the percentage of wilt taken and estimated in three classes - namely, "sli(::ht infect ion^S including ai| plants having a loss from very sli^t to approximately 3o per cent; "moderate infection" plants in which ihe yield was estimated to be reduced 35 to 90 per cent;, and "severe. infection" where the plant was dead before harvest and the yield considered to be practically nothing. The average aiapunt of infection and loss f9r each variety included in these demonstrations was..as fQllowsr- : "•;':;'. ._. Variet V Golderi' Cross Bantam- Biantam iive'r green Golderi Sunrise. ! Top Cross Bantam Whipple «s Yellow •Red Green Hybrid . . . . Spanish Gold Kingscrost Bantam The Burpee V/hipple»s Early »/hite Buttercup Extra Early Bantam Golden Bantam Golden Early Marlcet , Early Sunrise Golden Gi^m • ' .... ■ •. '.'*■'. . ■ • • * ' ■.. • ■ The value of resistance^tb wilt was clearly shown In. one demonstration in Luzerne County wht} re the total -number of good marketable ears Was recorded • The re'sults were as follows: Sweet Corn Wilt Denonatratlon, on farm of R. R« Brader', Berwick, R.D fo. Xhfeotion '5» lipss • , •• •■••. • ■ ■ * •■ . • ".8 • ■ :'.2/.. . 4 . 5 2.1' . ^ • 6.^ ■ 2.1 t * • • •'10.6 . 4.6 * • 30.4 17.2 • * ••/ • •■■; •• ' . 22.2 17,7 • ^ 36.5 28.4 49.9 29.5 52.2 31.7 62. 32. • • 0 ; Place the seed to be treated m a"~Truit jar or o^ief* ""tight container. Shake over the seed' red coDper oxide dust to the anount of one-twenty-f if th the wei{3ht of the seed (2/3 ounce of dust to each pound of seed) . Close the container and shake it until the seeds are thoroughly covered v/ith the red dust. If excess dust is present, it nay be removed by pouring: the seed upon a 2C-xiesh fly screen... Treated seed nay be planted at once or stored and planted within the next fev; weeks. Precautions ; Use only red copper oxide powder havin^r a brifht red color. Und-er certain soil conditions red copper oxide nay injure sone crops, such as broccoli, carrots, celery, parsley, and turnips. • Zinc oxide seed treatment. .Treat in the same' v/ay, usin^ the sane amounts of dust as v/ith red coi:)per oxide. The technical, grade of dust, which is either v/hito or yellowish, nay be - used. Use Qhlj as recoiimended in the list of treatments.' Formaldehyde dust treatment o"^ the scil. I!ix thoroughly 'eirht ounces of fomaldeh.vd^ dust*'\fith each bushel of me cfium afy soil. Place the soil in flats, beds, or pots, and plant the seed. With certain vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, cucumbers, muskmeions, radishes, and letrucQ, the chance of injurj^ may be avoided by allowing ^4 to 48. hours" to elapse between the treating of the soil and the planting of the seed, -Precautions; As soon as the seed are planted, thor- oughly wet the soil and keep it wet for two or t]iree days,. 4. 5. 6. -3- Copper sulphate seed treatment. Dissolve two ounces of copner sulphate (bluestone) in one gallon of water. Soak the seed in this solution for one hour. Plant the seed wet, or dry the seed before planting. Precaution; Injury instead of benefit may result to the seed- lings if the seed is planted in dry hot soil, such as often occurs in mid-summer. Corrosive sublimate treatment of soil> Hake a 1 to 2000 solu- TToh or corrosive subllmat'e Tone 'ounce of corrosive sublimate in 15 gallons of water) . After planting the seed sprinkle one pint of solution over each square foot of soil surface. Next, wet the soil dov/n thoroughly wioh vmter. Organic mercurials. Use as recommended by manufacturer. CHiaaCAL TREAT] TJ:TS iVFTER THE SlCSDLirGS ART] UP /J^P AT TR.J\SPL.VTi^irO: 1. 2 3. Copper carbonate treatment. Stir one ounce of copper carbonate dust into "six quarts" of water. Pour one pint of solution to each (approximately) five feet of row. This solution should be applied as soon as any signs of damping-off appear and repec.ted if necessary. It may also be used at transplanting time. Copper carbonate solution is recommended for the following plants grown under glass: Beets, tomatoes, eggplant, parsnips, pepper, spinach, lettuce, and cucumbers. Corrosive sublimate solution. Hake a 1 to 1000 solution of corrosive sublimate (one ounce in 7-i^ gallons of water). Pour ene pint of solution to each five feet of row. This solution should be applied to cabbage as soon as the seedlings are up, and repeated once or twice at weekly intervals. On cauliflow^rr the solution should be 1-2000 and sliould be applied at the sa^ie time. When cabbages or cauliflower are transplanted, two or three additional treatments at weekly intervals should be applied. I>imping-off after transplanting is very effectively prevented by setting the plants into soil treated with fomaldehyde dust three to seven days previously, or into steam or heat steril- ized soil. The use of copper carbonate at transplanting time as described above is a paying practice where other methods of control are not employed. coiiTROL OF a^MPiiTc-or? iniSR fi:;lp conditions - - M » I ■ ■ III ■ ■-»— ■ -i' -III ■ 11 - I I — • ^^^ Un^er field conditions, the most practical control measure is seed treatment. The best all-purpose treatment, to date, is red ""'Opper oxide applied to the seed in the si.ne manner as previously described. On spinach, increased yields sometimes occurred wiien treated seed was planted early in tlie sirring. Planting "created seed from June to August in^ruc.sea uhe yield in nearly all cases. Treating peas for field planting in nearly every case decreased d^nping-off and reduced root rot. Treating in most cases resulted in barked increases in vield. Treating beets, lettuce, parsnirs, ard '^wiss chard for field planting was a paying practice in most cases. ■' 1' a „ h IRREGULAR PAGINATION m If m ! il The Pennsylvania State College School of Agriculture and Experiment Division of Extension M. S. McLov/ell, Director Station VEGETABLE VARIETIES RECOmiEUDEL' FOR. 1954 Asparagus: Mary .Vashington (large, freshly dug, 1-year-old roots) Beans: hush Green, Round Foas: Giant Stringless Greenpod; Tenuergreen -Sraell, straighter Dods. Flat Pods: Bountiful. Bush Jax, Round Pods: Brittle or Round Pod Kidney l/ax; ^ Pencil Pod Black ./ax (Golden Glory) . ' Flat Pods: Sure Crop. • • Pole, Green Poos: Kentucky bonder; ;/hite Creaseback; Lazy //ife. Jax Pods: Golden Clus-ter, Kentucky v7bnder V/ax. Dry Shell or Field: Navy Pea (small); .7hite 'Marrow (medium); • .7hite Kidney (large); Red Kidney (large). Green Shell:_ Dvmrf Horticultural; Horticultural Pole. Bush- Pole Butter Lima or v/hite Dutch Runner (home garden cn3.:y ) I Shell: Dvmrf Horticultural; Horticultural Pole. Lima: Fordhook (large green seeds) ; Henderson (snail seec^s). Lima: Leviathan, Carpenteria (large); Sieva (small seeds); Beets : Crosby^s Egyptian ( ''Special'^ , Early vVonder - Early. '' Detroit Dark Red (Perfected Detroit, Black Knight) - Main crop* Bastian's Half Long (red tops); Long Season (half-long, green tops) - Late. Broccoli : Brussel^s Cabbage: Italian Green Sprouting (Calabrese). Sprouts: Long Island Improved, ; Golden Acre ( »^Special»») - Early; Copenhagen Market - Second Early. Glory of Enkhuizen - Fall and Kraut. Short Stemmed Danish Ballhead - ./inter Storage. Medium - Ptrm S^aCe i^allnead Large - Quaker Hill Danish Small to Medium - Hollander Chinese Cabbage: Chihli. Carrot: Red Cored Chantenay (medium); Danvers Half Long, Imperator (longer); Nantes or Coreless (home garden only) Cauliflower: Super Snowball. Celery: Golden Plume (Wonderful, Early Fortune , Golden • Pnenamenal) - Early. Easy blancning (Newark Market , Full Heart, Meisch's Green) - Fall. ' ■ Fordhook-Emperor or Houser - Green, for winter storage. Swiss Chard: Fordhook Giant. 'K (Over) n '0 I ■ It I)' * ; h . i '' -2- Sweet Corn: Yellow: Golden, oilarly Market - iSxtra early, wilt susceptible. Spanish Gold; xCxtra ^^arly Bantam - jiarly. Whipple^s Yellow -Large ear, vigorous, Bantam Season. Bantam j^vergreen;- Mill^s Golden Sunrise; Golden Cross Hybrid - Late, healthy, best quality, v/hite: Early Market - jjxtra ^arly, wilt susceptible. Mammoth V/hite Cory - Early, wilt susceptible, ./hippie »s Early, Vanguard - Golden Bantam season. Early Evergreen; Redgreen Hybrid; Early Evergreen Hybrid. Cucumber: Slicing: Stay Green (Green Pack) , Henderson Perfected White Spine - Short, Early. Early Fortune, Veridark, Arlington j'hite Spine - Medium, second early. Davis Perfect, A& C, President, Straight Pack, Clark's ,JSpecial, Woodruff's Hybrid - Medium to Long, Later- "Longfellow, Long Green, Perfection - Long, Late. Pickling: National Pickling (small); Boston Pickling-, Chicago Pickling (medium); Double Yield (large). r figgpl^nt: Black Beauty. Endive: Green Curled; Broad Leaved joatavian (Escarolle). Kale: Dwarf Curled Scotch. • ■ * • Kohl Kabi: Uhite Vienna. Lettuce - Loose Leaf: Crisp Head: Butter Head: Grand Rapids (frilled); Black Seeded Simpson. New York No. 12. V/hite Boston; Crisp as Ice (home garden). Muskmelon: Golden (Lake) Champlain (early); Delicious (rxiin crop); Heart's of Gold, Hale's Best, Sugar (Honey) Rock (main crop - late). Onions: Sets: Seed: Ebenezer or Japanese (slow seeding) ; Yellow Globe Danvers; Egyptian (winter, topset) ; Southport Jhite Globe (picklinp). Riverside Sweet Spanish (transplants); Mountain Danvers; krfhite Portugal or Silverskin (bunching and pickling). Parsnip: Hollow Crown (Model). Peas: Early, Smooth: L-xton's Superb - Dwarf Vine. MaiTimoth Podded Extra jj^arly - Medium Vine. Early, Jrinkled: Laxton's Progress (large pods). Little Marvel - Dwarf. world's Record, Thomas Laxton - Medium Vine. Main Crop: Improved Stratagem, Onward; Dv/arf Telephone • Mediuia. Dark Podded Telephone - Tall audible Podded: Dwarf Jhite or Gray Sugar; Mammoth Melting Sugar. -3- pepper: Small Red: Sunnybrook, Squash or Toroato (home {;;arden) . L-rge Red: Early Giant (early); »rforld n^eater (Ruby Giant) (^ain crop); California wonder (thick rind, late). Large Yellow: Oshkosh. Hot: Lv^ng Red Cayenne; Hungarian wax. Pumpkin - Sumraer (Squabh) : Straif^htneck; Italian Marrow (Cocozelle) Winter: Snail Sugar (Pie); Tabla Q,uean (small, for baklnp). Raaish: Scarlet Globe; white Tipped Scarlet Globe; White Icicle - Spring. i/hite Strasbure? C'iurtier - Sumi^er. White Chinese; Poee Chinese; ijlack Spanish - .'/inter. Rhubarbt McDonald (urimscn) . Rutabaga: Purple Top Yellow Globe (Macoiuber, Golden Neckless) . Salsify: Sandwich Island. Spinach: King of Denmark (snuoth leavea, slow seeding) - Spring. Lon{T Standing blJom^^Kial^ (large); Juliana, Victoria is.: '".l - ..' .;. -....^bjas . Virginia Savoy - For over-v intering. Ne./ Zealand (busn-like) - Sumuer. Squash, winter: Golden and Green Delicious; Golden Hv^bbard - Mediun. Blue Hubbard; i^oston Marro'^ - Lurge. Tomato - Red: Penn State ^^arliana, Canadian, Break O'Day - Extra iiiarly Bonny ii^^est - John Baer - Chalk's Juwel - Early. Pritchard (smaller Marglote type) - ^arly. Mar globe - Main Crop and Canning. Greater Baltimore (Indiana Baltimore) - Canning Crop, Late. Stone (Red Rock, Norton's Jilt Resistant) - Late. Pink: ./alter Richards, G^lf State Market - Early Globe Selections. Globe - Main Crop. Ponderosa (Beef Steak) - Late, home garden only. Turnip: Pur;)le Top Milan - i^arly Purple Top v/hite Globe, Purple Top Yellow Globe - Main C^op- m ill i ■ 'f! f f \ IRREGULAR PAGINATION ^f V I f . f I-; i,!' A I 'ir t, -17- Ttie A. A. A, and the Vegetable Grower F. P* k/eaver Department of Agricultural Economics The Pennsylvania State College The fruit and vegetable industries have been omitted from the direct provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act 5 except in the provisioil which permits licensing of those who process or handle agricultural products. • The provisions for levying a processing tax and making bene- fit payments to producers are restricted to socalled ♦♦basic agri- cultural commodities**. As defined in the bill, these are wheat, cotton, field corn, hogs, rice, tobacco and milk and its products. In any strict technical sense these cominodities are not any more basic than potatoes and many other vegetables, but for the intent of the Act they are so defined in the belief that some of these like cotton and wheat, and others to a less extent, occupy such a large part of all farm land and enter so largely into foreign trade that their prices are basic in determining the general 'level of farm prices in the country. If wheat prices are high, prices of potatoes and other foods and feeds that compete with wheat will tend to be higher. u The vegetable grower is, therefore^ 'interested in the results of the Act applied to other commodities iri several ways. First, the effect in raising prices of farm products to the consumer. If the price of wheat plus a processing tax equal to the difference between the present price and the prewar parity price makes the cost of bread to tte consumer oqual to its' prewar cost, measured in terms of the general purchasing power of the dollar, then the vegetable grower is relieved of the former in- tensive competition resulting from ruinously low wheat prices . Successful reduction of the wheat acreage to such a figure as will raise the wheat price to prewar parity is not necessary for the potato grower to get this benefit. If only a partial cooperation of wheat grov/ers Is obtained and riext year's crop is larger than this year's, so that t lie processing tax must be continued at 30 or even 50 cents a bushel, the producer of other starchy foods and the wheat growers who share in the benefit payments will get the benefit of the Act just as much as if the crop had been reduced sufficiently to result in prewar parity prices. Only the wheat grower who did not sign a contract to reduce will stand to lose in that case. * • ' In the second place, the vegetable grower is interested in the outcome of the crop reduction program if any land is released from wheat, cotton, tobacco or corn v/hich will be used for the production of vegetables to compete v;ith him for a market. In this respect all reasonable precautions are written into the regulations to prevent the released land from producing other crops for sale. . - 4 i i \i- ! ii i. ilfl'J I- ■! ; i IRREGULAR PAGINATION t\ ■ PH I ■A. 1 s I :< '\--\ -18- • • « Inasmuch as the farmers as a class do not tuy fresh vegetables, competition of this sort cannot be serious If the products cannot be sold. In the degree that they enter regular channels of trade and compete on markets, this would, constitute a menace to the com- mercial truck grower. The proviso that such land may produce crops for home consumption is put into the regialetions in the hope that it may help to raise the standard of living and the whole someness of the diet in many farm families. This would not interfere with vegetable marketing. The third respect in which the vegetable grower is interested in the new deal is in the indirect results to him of a rise in the general level of prices. Experience shows that when prices fall the prices to the producer of raw materials fall more than to those engaged in the handling, processing and merchandising c>f goods. Consequently, any rise in prices, should result in a bigger rise to farmers than to the rest of the. population. From 1914 to 1917, when food prices to consumers rose 56 p^r cent, prices to farmers rose 81 per cent. In 1932, wjien the retail prices of food had declineid 37 per cent from thti 1929 level, the prices paid to farm- ers for food were 57 per cent below what t;.hey wore in 1929* A restoration of the prewar level of prices In general should, there- fore, give producers of raw materials almost twice as great a rise in prices as taKes place in the, price to consumers. • Recent Inprovenents in Eastern Virginia in the Preparation of Vegetables for Market '•»■■, • H. H. Zimmerley - Director Virginia Truck Experiment Station Changes in methods of merchandising vegetable .crops , increased demand on the part of the consumer for better quality, and keen competition between the old and the newly developed vegetable grow- ing areas have necessitated marked changes in methods of grading and packing vegetable crops.' This is particularly true in the Nor- folk trucking area. At one time this was the southernmost area for the production of vegetable crops during the cooler periods of the year. Many of the vegetables such as spinach and kale were packed in barrels, poorly trimmed, and presented a rather undesirable appearance on the market. Finally competition fran areas to the south has made it necessary for the local growers to entirely change their method of handling and packing. » • ' • • • The first step in advance was in more carefully trimming the spinach in the field to remove all dead or yellov/ed leaves, and to wash it in large, tubs to remove the sand and idUd. It was found, however, that washing the spinach in the tubs left a very thin film of mud on the spinach leaves, thereby detracting from its appear- ance when it arrived on the market. Recently large washing machines have been installed at many of the leading points and practically all the spinach which now movt^s from thvi Nor folk section is washed by special machinery. These machines are capable of washing from •19- ' , 500 to 800 baskets per hour. They will wash the spinach free from sand and mud and will remove practically all the aphids except when the infestation is exceedingly heavy* It was possible last fall \A/ith a rather heavy infestation to wash the spinach sufficiently free of aphids so that the crop could be shipped under U. S. Stan- dard grade No. 1. The spinach in its progress over four movable screens on the machine is turned over sufficiently bo that the streams of water under a pressure of four to eight pounds will reach all parts of the plant. Too high pressure with tender spinach should be avoided to prevent burning. It is essential that the spinach be iced with at least five pounds of crushed ice to each bushel, in addition to the standard refrigeration in the refrigerator cars en route to market. Kale and collards have been packed in ventilated barrels until 1925 when the demand for a smaller package became apparent. The New York market still desires kale and collards packed in barrels but practically all the other markets prefer the basket package. Only the flatter and more ccmpact gro7/ing varieties such as the Dwarf Blue Curled Scotch kale is satisfactory for the basket trade. Kale may be washed similarly to spinach but this is seldom done be- cause the lower leaves which touch the groiuid become soiled with sand or mud and are usually removed in harvesting. Aphids can be removed more cheaply by tlie use of nicotine dust in the field than by washing with maohinery# Cabbage which was formerly shipped in barrels is now being packed in 50 pound or 100 pound crates. On the Eastern Shore of Virginia the crate holding 100 pounds is most widely used, while in the Norfolk area the 50 pound crate is considered preferable. The demand for round head cabbage such as the Copenhagen Market has made it difficult to sell the pointed type such as Charleston or Jersey Wakefield in years when other sections have an abundance . of the Copenhagen Market. Experiments are now in progress regarding methods of growing the round headed type for the early market. Copenhagen Market, however, cannot be over-wintered in the field '^ because a high percentage of the plants produce seed shoots instead of heads in the spring; i ^ The Norfolk Hot Bed Growers Association has been marketing a very high grade of cucumbers and beets for the past twenty-five years and has always maintained a high standard of quality. Cu- cumbers are washed in large tanks, carefully graded and packed in 28 quart hampers. These cucumbers are grov;n from plants plante* under sash. The sash is removed about the middle. of May and from then on the crop is handled as a field crop. Large amounts of fer- tilizer and careful cultural conditions are maintained in order to produce a high quality product. Nitrate of soda is applied throu^ the Irrigation water at the rate one pound to 50 gallons of water.* Response to this type of nitrate application is often apparent within 24 hours after the fertilizer is applied. The high standard of quality which has been maintained by the hot bed growers enables them to put cucumbers on the market at a profit when the outdoor producers are unable to obtain sufficient returns to warrant har- ^ .♦! • 11 t ' /I r. m. It! p. II li* I • I ! !:• I I M mti -20- harvesting. On the Eastern Shore of Virginia cucumbers are now being wiped and polished by rnachinery and paci^d in bushel baskets. The same machine used for polishing tlie cucumbers is being used . also for cleaning sweet potatoes. . Decided changes have taxcen place during the last few years in the methods of marketing sweet potatoes. Until recently practical- ly all sweet potatoes shipped from Virginia were paciced in barrels in the field. The demand for sweet potatoes in bushel packages has forced the growers to haul the crop to a central/packing: house where the potatoes are wiped free from sand and mud by machinery and carefully graded before being packed into .bushel basKets. TJie Big Stem variety which has long been the principal variety in this section is now being superseded by the Little Stem which is smaller and more desirable tot basic et trade. * • • * On the Eastern Shore of Virginia' radical changes have occurred recently in grading and xaarkc^ ting onions. Until 1932 the onions were topped in the field, packed in bushel baskets and sold to • jobbers at a rather -low pride.. In 1932 the grov/ers organized, purchased machinery for* polishing the onions, which are being sold in 50 pound open mesh bags. This procedure has netted the grov/ers a nice profit where otherwise they were sold at a loss. It has established a market for Virginia onions at a season of the year when onions are usually scarce. It. has recently been found that lima beans must be graded to remove unfilled, crooked, or discolored pods, a mfichine has re- cently been invented for sisiing pods. This will greatly facilitate handling this crop which has recently, became one of the more im- portant summer and fall crops oh the iJia&terii Shores Experiment with. use of Cellophane for covering shelled liiiia beans of the Siva or butter bean type have been conducted at the Virginia Truck' Experiment Station. Marketing in pint and qiiart cellophane bags prevents shrinking and whitening of the beans. Bearts packed in this type of container, howeyer, must be kept under refrigeration until sold. It is possible 'that Cellophane covers for pint' and . . q.uart boxes such as is used for strawberries will prove* satisfactory for all types of shelled beans. It is believed that Cellophane should be more widely used in marketing »high grade vegetable crops. Breeding New Varieties of Cabbage and sweet Corn C. E. Myers - State*. College ♦'There's a reason'' has been a popular advertising slogan for a number of years. That the statement is not restricted to the popularity of a well known breakfast food was v/ell illustrated in a talk on breeding new varieties of cabbage and sweet corn which was delivered at the morning session of the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers' Association. •21- Before discussing in a detailed manner which new varieties of plants are produced and their importance in present day agri- culture, the speaker, by use of various illustrations, showed how the characteristics of the individual, both plant and animal, are determined by the reaction of very minute hereditary entities. He showed that these hereditary presences are essentially the same 7/hether the object concerned b§f cabbages or kin^. It was a new thought to many of those present to learn that a gene, which is ' responsible for the expression of a particular character in the individual, is so small that a quintillionth of them would occupy a space no larger than that represented by a cube, measuring three eighths of an inch on each edge. These are the things which determine, among others, wliether tomatoes shall be yellow or red, whether corn shall be starchy or sugary, disease resistant or not, whether cabbages shall have pointed, flat or round heads, and in man, whether hair shall be curly or straight, and the eyes blue or brown. . u By knowledge of the pression of these charact a considerable degree, to meet specific needs, by It is not. It is merely tices which have been pat haustive and tireless res deeply concerned with the laws of heredity which govern the ex* ers, the geneticist is in a position, to develop types of individuals which will some this has been considered magical, the application of principles and prac- iently determined as a result of ex- earch on the part of individuals who are subject. By the application of these principles, there has been de- veloped at the Pennsylvania State College a variety of cabbage which is known as Penn State Ballhead, v/hich is superior to most other late varieties with respect to uniformity of type, yield and Keeping qualities. The variety began as a single plant se- lection made more than twenty years ago. Since that time it has been carefully line-bred. In all, more than fifty-^four thousand plants have been studied. Its popularity is such that during the past two years more than two tons of seed have been sdd to supply the demands, and has recently been awarded a national honor as an All American selection for 1934. Similarly the destructive cabbage disease known as yellows has been successfully combatted through the work of investigators at the University of ^/isconsin by developing varieties which are resistant to the disease. The grov/ing of these varieties makes possible cabbage production on soil where ordinary varieties are destroyed. Recently a malady known as Stewart's Disease, which is caused by bacteria, has seriously affected the production of early sweet corn. It is particularly destructive to the early variety. There are no known means of control by use of fungicides, as produced in the cases of most plant diseases. However, by the application of the principles of heredity, scientists at the Indiana and the New Haven Agricultural Experiment Stations, and others trained in plant breeding methods, have developed varieties which are of superior market value and at the same time highly resistant to that '* t t tj i m M 4il • li >•: I II ! I i \i \k i.i ii(«l i ,t>U disease. The. use of these resistant varieties has j.iade it ^ possible for the fariiae'y to grow sweet corn under conditions that are otherwise irapossible^ and the consumer to enjoy his beans on a stalk, as was his pleasure before Stewart's made its ^ appearance only a few years ago. . ' NCTE: The talKs on important insect pests arid their control will appear in the next: issue' of the News. rfe shall be glad to include timely contributions' from merCLbers, .and should welcome su5;fes'tions r;egafdiniT News -articles .. vntitr 1* ^ f'V I ♦ ' ,1 . ^-r .t JLXl . I '1 I. :> V i*t ./ • » • ■.- •»■... /I fmijsylvaj^ia vii:Gj!rr.kBL£ growers* news i^— III Volume 4 . at the suggestion of • the ixgricultural ixdjustment ivdministrationi had as its-purpose the discussion of **The economic problems* connected with dairy, poultry, fruits, vegetables, and potatoes in the Northeastern States, and the formulation of suggestions for solution of these problems." It was held on November 8th, 9th, and .lOth, at the Hotel Victor iEj- New York City, and was attended by representatives, of all types- ot Ag* • ricufttural associations in the .Middle. Atlantic 6nd New JSn^and • 0 States •r iV- A report of the entire conference has been prepared by Mr. Thompson, but even an abbreviated report, virould be too long for-ln- eluding in this issue,of the/ news, for this .feasony only the, part dealing with fruits and .vegetables will be presented here. Talks which were concerned mainly with fruits and vegetables were the foUowingi. ♦ ' AN ANiu-YSlS OF THE PRODQCTIOK jJJD CONSUilPT ION .OF -FRUITS iM) ViiGii^TixbL^ IN THi:, NORTHEi»ST iJID THiilR IMPLICATIONS, >> By A; Gv ./aller, Chief, Department of Agricultural ilconomiGS, New JeTiSey itate Agri- cultur£il_i!;xperiment Station. • '*. I • .* r & t *h * Ji> Professor v^aller urged the control or regulation of fruit and vegetable mar KB ting through the developmait of centralized markets He also advocated the develapment of a special governmai't agency for the distribution of fruits and ve get able"^s for -the purposes of relief* ... ;. :, ■ \. ... . • .. ^^^ . ■' . • • . • • * • iilCPiiRIiiNCilS IN NORTHEAST POTATO : MARKETING AND 'RiiX30i,fi*lii:NDATlONS FOR A I^iARKiiTING SYSTEM THaT j/ILL AliOflf REGIONAL COOPiiRAT ION, By ii, H. Martin, i^cting Dipectox, New Jersey. State Agricultural, iixperiment Station. .• -. . .: . . •• •' ■ ■'■■- ' » • • • Dr. Martin proposed a reduction of acreage; a more efficient ^rketing system, restriction of credit and limitation of farm shipments as means, by which the Northeastern potato industry might -vert a dangerous si tu^at ion. ; . • i- X . •».i H 1] n t i'^ I .« I- 'I 'i •4' i f I il j'l ' 1 t I «i -2- • I • • •< DISTRlctlTIOW uRGiJ^lL^.l'IONS, "TRfJ-.'SPORTivTiON SYSTEIB , AND MARKiiTING Fx.CILITIi,S FUR THi:- NORTEi^ST; THiCIR COORDINATION i>M) DEViiL0PM;:3'TT - FROM A COUNTRY Vli;.Ji>OINT", By M". P. Rasmussen, Professor of Marketing, Cornell University, • . .. : • , - * • TjLmUNAL PLATFORMS • They are believed necessary for produce trucics in New York City to bring about the elimination of congestion. Lower costs of handling should cheapen cost to cpnsura^.rs^. > *•••■■ TKii CtliilN STORjiS. -: The chain' stores handle about> 35 '- 50 per - cent of fresh, fruits and vegetables. This method eliminates much rehandling, cartage, spoilage, and weight loss. The buyer for the . chain stores represents a powerfully organized- demand ;• If pro*- • ducers were organized they could represent' just as powerful a > supply. The chain stores buyer wants a guaranteed volume .and st^dard quality. It is probably better to. encourage' the v develop- ment of mote chain stores* The more chain stores there are the - more competition there will be and probably better prices .' " • ' COUNTRY i^UCTIONS - These auctdtos have, grown up largely on the i^iSs tern- coast and are a development af- the motor truck. ■ There Is a danger of ' having too many auctions^ '"The principles of operation seem sound. Many buyers on these markets represent wholesale • • houses. The extent of these markets should bo based on demand • RiJGIONAL IvlARKoJTS -^ TwD types, city and rtiral. The territory • served should be approximately' 150 miles in diameter. The Benton Harbor, Michigan market last year did a business of 86 million dollars end had buyers from 16- states* There Is a possibility for . a few more regional laarkets in the East. '' APPLICATION 01" iMLiUCilTING ixGRiiElJli;dr subsistence gardening since it cantribufes to increased production. - In 1933 four and one-half million dollars worth of vegeta- . bles wejria grown, in subsistence gardens in Pennsylvania and . • one and one-h?ilf milll^on dollars worth in New Jersey. The comi;iittee, recommended that government rented land should not be used fbr production. : * I • ' '^. 10. The commlrttee recoxumends the purchase of vegetables for the relief of families in distress. * * » . « Research - iilxpendi have been focused as to correlate di lacK of Knowledge search should show function best fbr best to avoid wast balance -between pr tures for personnel liaboratories, etc., on production, they shpuld .be shifted- so stribution with production. There is a of the economics of distribution. Re*, which type of organization should" ^^ the farmer and how to handle supplies. ^ e. Research is needed to establish a oduction and consumption. t • The annual meeting of the Association will b6 held on Janu 22nd and 23rd, and all members are urged to-, be present .^ The pr gram, which promises much of value to every ye ge table grower in the state, is as follows: ary, o- PjiNNSYLViJIIiv VEGiiTiiBLii; GROWERS » iiSSOClATION ' ' .. • PROGRiuM, 1935 . Tuesday, January S2. .., ' A.M. Production Problems • : . . V Chairman H. N, Dudley, Vice-Pr.esid ent , jsustletbn * '• •. . .'. . > , . . ... • , 9:30 RemaxKs by the President: Soiae Pro bi cms of the Pennsylvania • : Vegetable Grower of Today. --Harry G. brucicbill, Malvern. ' • 10:00 10:46 11:30 Power iiquipment for Vegetable Production - A.C.Thompson, King Farms Co., Morrisville. New Discoveries in i'eeding Vegetable Crops - Prof* Lyman G. Schermerhorn, New Jersey State College of Agriculture, New Druns- wick, N.J. Methods of Applyinf. Fertilizers to Truck Crops. H. R. Smalley, : . Soil Improvement Committee, National Fertilizer Association, -Washington, D. C. P.M. Marketing, Disease and Insect Problems Chairman - Harry G, J^rackbill, President, Malvern. 1:50 business Meeting. 2:15 New Developments in Vegetable Growing and Marketing in New Jersey, Lyman G. Schermerhorn, New i^runswick, New Jersey. 3:00 Major Problems in Vegetable Disease Control in iy34. R.S.Kirby, State College. 5:45 Major Problems in Vegetable Insect Control in 1934. L. iil-Dills, State College. 4:50 comparisons of Insecticides, New and Old, for Cabbage Insect Control. Merrill Wood, State College* Wednesday, January 2 3 A>iu. Vegetable Variety and Seed Imnrovement Chairmen - Gilbert S. .natts, j^ellwood. 9:30 Seed Certification in Pennsylvania - K. v/.Lauer, burea of Plant Industry, Harrisburg. 9:45 Modern Methods of Improving Vegetable Crops to Meet Certifica- tion ^requirements. K.S.Mills, D.Lan- dreth Seed Company, i^ilstol. 10:15 Variety Trials of Tomatoes, i^eans , and Sweet Corn in 1934* w. B.Mack, State College • 10:45 Variety Demnstrations in Pennsylvania in 1934. J.M.Huffington, State College. Sweet Corn Varieties for Roadside Trade. Harry G. Brackbill, Malvern, and T.b. Palmer, Concordville. Sweet Corn Varieties for Betail Sale. David Rapp, -^aston. Sweet oorn Varieties for Allegheny Co, K.R.jSby, Pittsburgh. Sweet Corn Varieties for .wholesale Trade - CJias.C.Shenot , Wexforc Golden Cross Hybrid Sweet corn in York Co. - G.G.Weber, York Toiaato Varieties for Markut and Canning - C.A.iiGgley, C.^..i;agle: & Son, North Girard, and Harry Slegel, birdsboro. High Quality Green Celery for the Fall and winter Market. C.G. Shen.c, L'^Jicaster. Vegetable Variety Demonstr^^tions in Cambria County - H. C. McWilliams, iiibonsburg. P.M. F^^nri end Home Garden Problems C.L.!!eyer, Pittsburg, Chairman 1:30 Early Sweet Corn in x^rie Co. - J.R. Ziesenhe im, North Girard • 1:45 Prize .winning Vegetables - John ^ndrews, School of Horticulture, iuabler. 2:10 Practical Home .fede Irrigation •iyst ems , Illustrated - W. b. Nissley, State College. 2:30 Five Methods of Heating Hotbeds.- G.J. Stout and F.T.Spragae, ' State College* 5:00 Growers' (Question J^ox - Conducted by Dean Ralph L. watts, State College. I I ,?1 *•! ir:' ; K II .r