Title: Pennsylvania vegetable growers' news, v. 7
Place of Publication: State College, Pa.
Copyright Date: 1937

Master Negative Storage Number: MNS# PSt SNPaAg058.8

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PKWTJSYLVANIA VEGETABLE QRO^AIERS* NITATS

Volume VII

March, 1937

No. 1

publication of the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers' Association

John M. Willson, Belle Vernon - - ^^^^^^^^^

A. C. Ihcmpson, Morrisville Vice- Resident

W B Mack, State College Secretary-Treasurer

The Annual Meeting, held in Room E of the ^f ?,^5°\ building ,
was attended by a greater number of members and visitors than any
p?evioSs meeting of the Association. The scheduled speakers and
discussion leaders all were in attendance , and all topic s on the
program were presented and discussed with lively interest, to the
profit of everyone participating in the meetings.

At the business sessions, all officers for 1936 ^^re renomi-
nated for 1937 by motion of the Nominating Committee which was
passed unanimously. Members of the Nominating Committee which intra
duced the motion were Stanley Becker, Karl Huber , and J^- M. Huffing-
ton. Nominations were closed and the officers were reelected on
motion by H. S. Mills, seconded by R. R. Brader, and passed unani-
mously, ■ ■

The secretary-Treasurer reported receipts of 11^7.61 and ex-
penditures of $90.56, leaving a cash balance of $77.05 as ol
January 19, 1937.

Cn motion by Stanley Becker , seconded by H.S. Mills, the
Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers* Association was affiliated witn tne
Vegetable Growers' Association of America.

R. R. Brader 's report of his services as a representative of
the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers' Association on the Agricultural
Council of the state was received with approval.

*

Resolutions were adopted as follows:

1. In appreciation of studies on markets carried on by the .
Department of Agricultural Economics of the Pennsylvania
State college and reported at this meeting by Mr. R. d.
Donaldson.

2. in appreciation of the efforts of the Pennsylvania
Ten-Ton Tomato Club Committee, in particular of its
Chairman, Mr. Harry W. Huffnagle, and of Mr. J. M. Huff-
ington, in organizing the Pennsylvania Ten-Ton Tomato CluD
for 1937, and in obtaining funds for prizes, certificates,
and the publication of a report.

3* In request for extension of investigations of the
fertilizer requirements of soils by means of rapid soil
tests, as reported by Dr. Fred G. Merkle of the Department
of Agronomy of the Pennsylvania State College •

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4. tn .establishment of a Research and College Relations
Committee of this Association, to consider the research
needed by vegetable growers, and to confer with the Penn-
sylvania State College and Experiment Station in an effort
to meet these research needs.

5. In request of the State Legislature for enlarged and
.more comfortable meeting- rooms and more facilities for

the 'Annual Meeting in the Farm Shov; Building.

6. In request for an amendment to the State Constitution
to prevent the use of funds from automobile and truck
registration for uses other than improvement of highways.

7. In request for additions to the appropriations made in
the previous legislative biennium, to enable the proper
authorities to purchase and administer natural foods,
such as fruits, vegetables, eggs, and milk, as well as^ •
the vitamin concentrates now bein^ purchased and adminis-
tered to undernourished school children.

Brief summaries of their talks by the different speakers who
led discussions in the Annual Meeting, January 19 and*20, 1937, are
presented, herewith. • '

Methods Used in producing Yields of High Q^uality Tomatoes

By Abram B. ^arhart •

Variety - Marglobe. , . •

plants - Southern.

Manu re - Ten tons of. stable manure per acre.

soil - Medium loam; grass in 1934 and corn in 1935; plowed 7 inches
deep in April; disced once, harrowed twice, and rolled once.

Fertilizer - 3-12-5; 650 pounds per acre; side of row after planting.

Planting - I!ay 14 with transplanter, water applied in the hill; 95^^

stand; spaced 5 by 3 1/3 feet apart.

Cultivation - Deeply at first, then shallow; three times double,

twice single and hand weeded once.

By John r. Landis

Variety - Marglobe and J.T.D.

plants - Georgia certified.

M&nure - Ten toijs of stable manure per acre.

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The Pennsylvania State College
School of Agriculture and Experiment Station

Division of Extension
. M. S.- McDowell, Director

TEN- TON TOMATO COSTS AND P^.ODUCTI ON PRACTICES IN 1936

9 . I .. I II. - ,.i I I .. I .. ■ . I ■ I ■

Jesse IT. Huffington, Specialist in Vegetable Gardening Extension,

and .
Monroe <J. Armes, Specialist in Farm Management Extension

DISTRIBUTION.

Pennsylvania - 276

Counties

•i- %: ¥• •

Adams
Bucks
Chester
Columbia

VARIETIES

,*

41
9

. 2

.Cumberland
Delaware
Franklin
Lancaster

6

5

10

189

Nor thumberl and
Philadelphia
Union
York ,

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3
1
1
6

/

Marglobe alone on 90 farms, Baltimore (Stone) - 34, Rutgers
13, Bonny Best (Landreth) .- 2, Prj-tchard -1, and ,penn State - 1.

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PLANTS

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Home-grown -plants were used oh 124 farms and southern plants on
128 farms. In 1935, howevrer, only- tWo out of 44- ten-ton yields were
produced from southern -grown plants. -; — —

Close supervision, certification, and favorable weather during
the shipping season, apparently, were factors influencing the condition
of southern plants in 1936 • Objections, mentioned, most frequently re-
garding southern plants ^^ere diseases and poor condition upon arrival.
The best plants, including home-grown, were neither hardened too se-
verely nor soft and succulent, and had good root systems. The demand
for locally grown plants was greater than the supply.

Seedling plants, started early in April in coldframes and man-
aged carefully, were generally satisfactory in the southeastern coun-
ties. Disease prevention practices, liberal spacing, and proper hard-
ening helped to produce plants with thick, purplish stems and green,
healthy tops. Larger root systems and greater uniformity of size is
possible with the use of "spotted'* or transplanted coldframe plants.

SOIL TYPES, ROTATIONS, AND PREPARATION

The largest number of ten-ton yields were produced on medium to
heavy soils, as follows: medium - 168, clay loam - 65, and sandy
loam - 30,

The use of green manure crops and stable manure to increase the
amount of soil organic matter was generally considered to be an im-
portant factor influencing the yield especially on sandy loam and
shale soils. The importance of careful and thorough soil preparation
and of working the soil only when in the proper moisture condition
were stressed particularly by growers having heavy clay loam soils.

XI

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The rotation most conmonly followed was sod in 1934 (67^ of
228 farms), corn in 1935 .(70^), and tomatoes in 1936. In Lancaster
County (1935) the yield following sod (1935) was an average cf 12.82
tons on 47 .acres and was 12.72 tons following corn on 457. acres.

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plowing was done before
of the ten- ton growers. This,
Yields after sod.

April 15 by over half (52^ on 262 farms)
no doubt, was a factor influencing the

The ground was disced and harrowed (combined) three to four
times on 53^ of 265 farms. - t

MANURE AND COMffiRCIAL FERTILIZER • "

Most of the ten- ton yields (58% of 264 farms) were produced
v/ith an application equivalent to 10 tons of manure per acre, contain-
ing approximately 115 pounds of actual plant food, and 500 to 1,000
pounds of commercial fertilizer containing 100 to 150 pounds of actual
plant food. For example, 750 pounds of 0-12-5 fertilizer contain 117
pounds of actual plant food, 4-16-4 - 180 pounds, and 4-8-5 - 127
pounds. Organic matter also is supplied in the manure.

Only six of the ten- ton yields were produced without commcercial"
fertilizer and only 28 without manure being applied preceding tomatoes^

• HIGHEST YIELDS WITH LIBERAL AlIOUNTS OF PLANT FOOD
Manure and Ferillizer

^.•^-^^ Farms

" '^ I'bs. Actual plant Food
Less than 150

b Ton s per Acre

12-13 14-20 Numbers

o

. c:

150 to 249
More than 249

10-11

29/o

17/,
33/p

~T7

153
84,

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& A.

Itoe most' common analysis of coroierciar fertilizer used was
3 to 45S nitrogen, 12 :to 16^ phosphoric acid, and 4 to 7^ potash.

ANALYSIS OF COIJERCIAL F5HTILIZERS USED ON 276 FA^MS

To Farms % Farms' % Farms

- r^

Nitrogen

phosphoric Acid 0-10

Potash 0- 3

"5^ — 57^
34^0 12-16 62^
S 4-7 84^

t^ Wo

16-40 4^
•7-12 11^

DIFFERENT ANALYSES OF COIlffiRCIAL FERTILIZER APPLIED - 64.

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Broadcasting, before planting, was the method used in applying
commercial fertilizer on " '
the time of planting, by
planted, by only 7%; and
method combined*

65% of 257 farms; in the row, before or at
36%; top dressing alone after the crop was
the remaining 5% used .the broadcast and row

The preferred method of row application was in solid parallel
bands along each side of the plant, tv/o to three inches deep and about
two inches from the plant* Top dressing, after the- plants have V^een
set, allows the plants full use only o:^. nitrogen. In •pemisylv an ia
soils, phosphoric acid and potash, applied as a. top dressing after the
ctop has been started, do not reach t'ne root ;Zone of the slants in "' ^
sufficient amounts to be of full benefit to the crop.- ^ .

PLANTING

*

May 15 to 31 was the tine when most ten^^ton cTop^were planted,
or 65^ on 254 farms; and the next highest group was 19%, from June 1
to 5. on account of danger from frosts only 9fo of. the crops were
planted before May 15; and to avoid, low yields only 77o were set after
June 5. ■ •■ --.^1 '. -■•-: •; • . ;

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The amount of space allowed the plants" was an average of 14 to
20 square feet, and more frequently 16 to £0, by 72fo of 249 ten-ton ■
growers; the other 28fo being 10 to: 13 square, feet apart. ..Less injury
to the vines resulted in picking between rows spaced about five feet .
apart, with usually three or more feet between the plants in the row.
Wide rows, however, generally required the use. of a single cultivator
following the dpuble cultivator in order . tO; remove all weeds from- the
middle of the rows. Plants checked the sane distance each way were
easier to keep free o;f weeds on^ account of cultivating both ways in
the field* . •• .••'. • •, .'• • • " , ,. .. ; . - ; : .. ' "

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The average- final .stand of plants was 96^ (245 farms) and
(255 farms) before replanting. .i»'ater.was a'opl led to the' plants on

93% of 264 farms. ..■.;•...., ;.vo. J'.Cx.i 'Tj-r-v^^^ -■

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CULTIVATION

D

The number, of cu it i vat ions given the tOiriato 'cropwas four td
^ five by 49fo of 256 t§n-ton growers, .six to seven by _35^, and only ; two
^ to three by the remaining 16%. ■• • • ' ; i ff?

No hand weeding was' done by '42% of these 256 gr6v)^0rs] and 49%
weeded only once^j only nine, per cent gave two hand. weedings.

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HARVESTING

» • . ■ .... .

A comparison of paying the pickers by the day and by the basket
was made on 104 farms in Lancaster County, v/here- 24 grov;ers were paid
by the basket .and 80 by the day. No difference could be seen in the
quality of tomatoes, whether picked^ "by the day or the basket. The
rates of picking, howeverV were usually adjusted according to the con-."
dition of the crop - ranging mostly ftom three' t^ents per basket in the
peak of the season to five' or six cen*ts for the- first and last parts
of the seasonx Other growers paid ra'ther high rates per basket
through the entire season.* - '■.■"'. /..*'

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The largest yields per acre :('.I4,-20 toijis )• on 42 of 91 farms in . :
Lancaster County resulted "also in t her highest q-uality (85 to 9'5% U. S. '
No. 1) on 52%, from these high yielding crops, . •; •

YIELD IN RELATION -TO QUALITY •>' LANCASTER COUNTY
Tons per acre Av.' Per cent U;S. No. 1 • Farms
'■ TTPTg 80-84 b&-yt) • Number

■w t

10-13
14-20

12%

52%

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42

• • ....

High yields per acl-3 , in addition to careful picking, are •
necessary to produce tomatoes of the best quality. Increased yields
per acre result in lower costs per t6n of tomatoes produced, and*,
high quality is necessary for the best price per ton.

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IRREGULAR PAGINATION

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COST OF PRODUCING TOIvIATOSS

Records of the cost of producing tomatoes were secured from
264 growers located in nine counties. These records were secured
from growers v/ho produced ten or more tons of tomatoes per acre
and who grew at least two acres. The average acreage grown was
4.61 per farm.

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The following factors were used in calculating the cost of
production:. . . '

■ • ■■ ' • ■ .,...,• _ • .

Man labor was charged at 25 cents per^ hour, horse' labor at
15 cents per hour, and truck and tractor at 85 cents per hour.

Manure was charged to the crop at 75 cents per ton. Com-
mercial fertilizer was all charged to the tomato crop.

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Interest was charged at 5 per cent on the. investment in land
and equipment. The investment in general farm machinery used vras
prorated on the basis of total crop acreage in the farm. Ten per
cent depreciation was charged on the investment in equipment.

The average investments per acre were $.131.88 in l^^^^ and
$5.86 in equipment. This does not include the value of trucks
and tractors since they were charged at the hourly rate^ .

The following table shows the man, ho3;^se, and truck and
tractor hours used. in the production of an acre of tomatoes and*
the cost of these operations calculated from the time required 'to
perform them:

Growing plants

Hauling manure

Hauling fertilizer

Plowing

Discing

Harrowing

Rolling

Dragging

Applying fertilizer

Planting

Replanting

Spraying, dusting

Cultivating

Weeding

Picking

Hauling to market

Labor of growing * »

Total labor

Man

Horse ■

. Tractor

Hours

Hours

. Hours

1.74.

.06.'

' • • •

•

• 6.80

13. 56'

.17

.22

.40

.03

4.02

,7.66

.90

1.81

^3.15

.81

1.45

3.51

.15

.71

1.43

.01

.07

.10 :

. .03.

1.67

2.29

:. .10:

11.37

. 5.68

.16

3.95

-

—

.83

.41

.02.

: 9.06

. -14.3.2.

. .59

5.75

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* ' *"

79.86

*■■■

• ••-, •'■• # -.«•*•

14.38;

:.-99

. . 9.26

47.71'

' 52.51.

• . ■ 2.97.

143.69

53.56

12.23

cost

% .44

3.88

.14

' 2.92

1.62

1.02

.40

.05

.84

3.83

.99

j-i-T-. 28

4.92

■ 1*44

19.97

11.61

22.33

:54«35

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The total labor cost is $54.35 per acre, or 48.7 Per °ent of
+ v,o totfil cost per acre. Picking requires more labor than any
o?her opera?ion! It represents 36.7 per cent of the ^f^r^-^'^
hv the farm help on the tomato crop and, in addition, $12.82 was
sLntfo? contract and day labor per acre. Hauling to market was
the nex? most costly operation. It represents 21.3 per cent of the
total labor charged and, in addition, |l0.82 per acre was paid for
hauling. ' ^'^

cultivating and v/eeding accounts for 11.7 per cent of the
labor cost. There was considerable variation in this cost. By
cultivating at the proper time, four to five cultivations will
produce the crop. Some growers found six or seven cultivations
necessary and hoeing and weeding in addition.

The cost of planting and replanting was $4.82 per acre. The
following table shows the labor requirements for planting by
different methods used when all planting was done by one method:

Planting

■ -y '■' Truck and
. Man Horse Tractor

Method
Hand

Transplanter
Tractor

Acreage Hours Hours
139.12 18.50
46 . 6.73

Hours
.07*
1.91

Replant

2.65
2.02

Cost

$5.33

3.83

Transplanter. 1,002.76 11.47 6.88

Horse

* Truck used to haul plants to field.

.06

3.98

4.70

AS wi]l be seen from the table on Page 6, the cost of harvest'
ing and marketing is about half the total cost of producing the
crop. The labor of grovdng is 20 per cent of the total cost of
the crop. Cost of plants vary greatly depending on the source of
the plants. The plants for 161 acres were grown at home at an
average labor cost of $1.88 per acre. The other growers purchased
all or part of their plants for $8.35 per acre.

The following items were actual cash expense in producing the

crop:

Cost of plants purchased %

Cost of spray materials

Cost of fertilizer

Picking hired

Hauling hired •

7.06

.85

10.16

12.82

10.82

%

T $ 41.71

Thus, 37.3 per cent of the total cost of producing the crop
was actual cash expense, 48.7 per cent was labor cost, and 14 per
cent was for overhead, manure, etc«

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Soil -

Clav loam; sod in 1934 endcorn in 1935; plov.-ed April 1, eight
inches ?Sep? disced once, harrowed six tines and rolled seven

tiFies.

TTo^tni^er - 4-12-4 and 4-8-7, at the rate of 501 pounds per acre, "
Fertilizer 4^i^^J a^^^ ^^^^^^ planting vd1ii a potato planter.

T=Tintin? - Fay 15, with trans T^lanter; water applied in the hill; 98^0
^^^^^""^ sSnd before, and 99^0 stand after transplanting; plants

• ■ spaced 5 by 4 feet apart.

cultivation - Deeply at first, then shallow; cultivated 8 times
cultivation ^^^^^- ^ ^ ^^^^^ single, and hand -weeded- en«e^

By Daniel H. Krieder

Variety - Mar globe.

plants - Georgia certified. ■ . ' ,

Manure - Eight tons stable manure per acre.

qoil - Clay loan; sod in 1934 end corn in 1935; plowed in April,
^^^ 7 inches deep; harrov^d 4 tines and disced 3 times.

Fertilizer - -4-12-4, applied at the rate of 700 pounds per acre,

broadcast before planting-.

Planting - June 12, with the transplanter, water ao plied in the hill;
^^"^^^^ 95f.staAd before and 96fo stand after transplanting;

■ plants 5 by 2^ feet apart.'

Cultivation - Deeply at 'first, then shallow; 5 times double and twice
~~~ ~ single, not weeded by hand.

- V If ■

• *

By A. G. Boley

Variety - Marglobe.

plants - Georgia certified and in frames at home.

Manure - Twelve tons per acre.

Soil - Medium loam; sod in 1934 and corn in 1935; plowed in the
spring; harrowed 4 times and rolled twice.

Fertilizer - 2-12-5, applied at the rate of 750 pounds per acre in

the rov; before planting.

Planting -

Middle of May with a transplanter; water qD plied in the
hill; 85/o stand before and 98?^ stand after replanting;
plants spaced. 39 by 37 inches apart.

Cultivation - Three times double and once single.

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ii^l%

IRREGULAR PAGINATION

/

-4-

By Harry W. Huffnagle

Variety -

Pritcherd and Marglobe; seed purchased from F
& Sons and treated with Semesan.

H. 'Voodruff

\.^A^ -h-ir Wfli ter Rush, under muslin
manure - «ve ton. per acre, or a ll^ht covering, of steer manure.

twice .

Fertilizer -

4-12-6, at the rate of 800 P^^^.^J/^fi.l^^oJ'lIb' Ws
broadcast hefore planting; top dressing oi ld .

per acre.

plentin

. ,une E - 5, with a transplanter water applied In^the hill;

gefo stand before and 99i^7o after repxanuxufe, i-
32 by 3^ feet apart.

cultivation - Deep follo«d l.y shallcw. twice double and onoe

^=^— ~ single, no hena weeding.

,^^^. n.o. .. producing. High Yields of Tomatoes

B: Jonathan Zook •

Variety - Marglobe and J.T.D.

Plants - southern (Georgia) certified.

Manure - Tw-elve tons per acre, mixed.

soil -

^ T. A^ iot;a cnfl wheat vd th sweet clover in

Mediuia loan, tobacco in 1934 and ^f^^ wi ^ harrowed 3 times
1935, plowed deeply on May 1 and disced once, narrows

and rolled 8 times.

I-ertilizer - 8-24-16, 200 pounds per acre applied alongside the row
' after plowing.

EiS^ - III,'.' Sf s?ard\"a-s".Srhe?S?erd%^ra?t?i^?tpl"anS^.

The spacing of plants was 4 by 3 feet.

Cultivation -

Shallow at first, then deeply; 3 times double and
Umes with a single cultivator; and weed once.

By John W. Wolgenuth

Variety - Marglobe, Rutgers, and J.T.D.
plants - Southern (Georgia) certified.
Manure - Twelve tons per acre, stable.

IT

f

soil -

-5- ,

«

>,.o+ 1T. lo-^4 end alfalfa in 1935, plowed deeply
ripriir™die*d'3 l?ni;f ha?rowed twice a.d rolled once.

pl anting

- ^l ' SSd""Sr.-re^-:^d"^ra«-TeJl-""-"
plants were spaced 4 by 3 feet. . ■

cultivation - Shallow, excepting the first cultivation, four times
cultivation ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ weeded once.

Bv Tobias Z. Martin

V

Var ie ty - M?-rSlobe and J.T.D.

pi.nt s - Georgia and Glick's, Lancaster County.

Manure - Fourteen tons of steer manure per acre.

""* . n'r. TQ'^S' T^lov-ed 8 inches deep on

§^ - i^?Ii f5?=liSef rti^.LraySa^??^ed^^?.lce.

fertilizer - 3-1E-5, 600 pounds Per acre, a.,lied in the row before

~ planting.

^n«^ -In thf^ hill: S^'^/o stand before

Planting - Transplanter; ^■•'^^^^^Jl^i^^^/^Sed I Sy 4 feet.
and 98fo after replanting, spacea o uj

cultivation - Deep; 3 times double, E tines single and half hand

weeded once.

By Enos L* Blanlc

Variety - Marglobe.

plants - Georgia certified. . .

l,anure - Plowed down seven tons and applied six tons on top.

Soil -

rolled twice. ^ . .

fertilizer - 0-12-6, 600 pounds per acre, applied in the row before

planting.

planting -

'Vith a transT)lanter and water applied in ^he hill. The
stand was 95^o before and 98/o after replanting. Plants
were spaced 6 by 4 feet.

cultivation - Deep, four tines double, and weeded once by hand.

i \

I

•6-

By M. D. Tocld

The ground, on which I grew this crop, had been in corn the
previous year and was well manured,

For the tomatoes, I put about 15 tons of barnyard manure to the
acre, it was plowed down 8 inches in depth, as soon in the spring
as I could work on the ground, two acres of this patch I covered with
spent mushroom manu: e at the rate of about 15 tons to the acre.

This I aiaced and worked into the soil. I feel when it had
the extra manure on top, it paid me well. I did not keep this part
of the "crop se-oarate but I feel sure that they made at least one-
third more tons to the acre. Also feel that it will pay any one
growing tcciatoes, to top dress the plowed ground and disc it m.

I used Bau^-h's fertilizer 2-8-10 and disced the ground just as
fine and deex) as~'l could possibly work it, then marked the rows four
feet each way, planted all by hand, which were planted in dry v/eather,
and watered ahead of the planting. They were planted in a few days
by working at them in the afternoons. • • •

. I worked the plants with a double cultivator both ways, just,
as soon as they stood up, but kept far enough away so as not to
loosen the plants.

I cultivated them fairly deep and continued cultivating as I.
thought they needed. During each wrking I kept farther away and
did not cultivate at any time when the ground was wet or where vines
were damt), the last working very sha] low with a single harrow just
enough to stir up top of ".round, after thrt I -could not get thBu them.

This variety was Stone tomato v/hich I planted about 20th to 25th
of May and would say I had at least a 95^ stand.

possible Readjustments in the FrUit and Vegetable

Markets of Philadelphia

R, B. Donaldson, State College, 'Pa.

Today I should like to present to you some possible readjust-
ments in the fruit and vegetable markets of Philadelphia, the result
of a cooperative study conducted by the Pennsylvania State College in
conjunction with the New Jersey Agricultural College and the U. S.
Bureau of Agricultural Economics. The results of thi^ study indicate
the outstanding need for a consolidation of all wholesale produce
markets in the city of Philadelphia. Such a consolidation is necess-
ary before such problems as unregulated selling hours, unethical
trade practices, and congestion can be intelligently solved*

There are five wholesale markets in Philadelphia, other than
chain store warehouses, which are important in the handling of fresh
fruits and vee:,e tables. These markets consist of the Dock Street
market, the Callowhill Street market, the penn;sylvania Bailroad
Proc^uce Terminal, the Baltimore and Ohio-Reading produce Terminal,
and the river front pders.

;

^, Situation in Philadelphia 1= that there,ar.^.»es.Ja-
MUtiJs in some markets, '»ith i^J^^^^'i^^^.'Sliiroad terminal markets,

rbiuSef forTaillfnf ^a5.f iSrfe^rntitlfs o. produoe received

hy truck. .

one of the greatest objections to^ho present situation

fnSIf ?"a fpUt^nlr^er! jL a. Uers -St patroni.^^
fn:\lrket in-order toohta.n their supplies. ,^T ^^„^,^,,,„ ^,,,

?Sf hours of^semng'at th'e various markets.

: sales of fruits and vegetables in ""olesala quantities^ there
fore. fS:id°b%%onsolidated into one location Then^la^g^^^^^^^^

^die?! J!if vi^oirsfJ^f in mili^irhla would not he forced to
meiate in more than one market. _

such a consolidation of-^J^ll%l^l'Jl ^e^farf ?wo'gena.al
several ways. As far ^^if^*^""!!^^ market might he organized
^??her'<il'ne4r*th: pJesSt o°S6fng':arkets- at ^ck Street or Callow-
hill Strelt or T?.) near the railrioad terminals.

, .oeation near the present ^ck ".CflowhiU^Street markets^

:°S^tfravr?eerroraled%/Jfse areas f^^^^^^^^^
■ and, second, the location would be s 11 ghtxym -L^eation near the

loc4l farmers and Philadelphia retailers than La ^^^^^^ ^^

railroad terminals. T^e ^«i^,^?^^^fSa?th2 construction of a
callowhill Street location would be that tne ^^^^^ ^^^^ re-

modern, consolidated market in ^^^^er of ^^es ^^^^^ly cost much

quir« extensive renovation and expansion an terminals,

more than a consolidated market near the raixro

There would he several possible ^^^^^^^^^ ZTI''
dated wholesale market at_or ^^«i^,J^\^^^ii°f of at least enough
consolidation should provide ^°^ *^^ ^Xvariety sufficient to meet
truck receipts to give both quantity and Zf^l^l^^^^^^ ^his would
the needs of large out-of-town ^^^J^jf ^^/Jf thel^e time would
avoid a split market for large ^^y^^^,^^^i,!ii gtreet markets. This
relieve congestion on the Dock ^f^^^^i^^^^ terminals and leave most
would tend to centralize f^l^/^^.^^^^^fLre?? markets. Motor
of the jobbing on the 5°°^ and Callowhill Street ^^^^^ ^^^^

truck receipts at the terminal ^^S^^^^^.J^i^als on the same trading
They might be handled in ^g.^^J^^^fthee'^e basis as the rail
floor or on an adjoining piai^ioii^i ^^^

receipts.

H'

m

If, on the other hand, individual stores are preferred for
handling these truck receints at or near the railroad terminals,
there are at. least three possibilities worthy of consideration*
First, the pennsJ^lvania Produce Terminal has a building that could be
divided by T^artition walls and rented to the wholesale trade, and
land is available upon which other stores could be erected when
needed* Second, there is vacant land near the Pennsylvania Produce
Terminal upon v/hich the necessary stores could be built in such a
way as to constitute a well-arranged market. Finally, there is a
possibility of converting the unused facilities of the Baltimore and
Ohio-Reading produce Terminal into a modern truck market. The first
two erf these possibilities would accomplish a greater degree of con-
solidation than would the last one.

If wholesaling of both rail and truck receipts is to be ^con-
solidated in the Dock Street area, considerable expansion, renovation,
and some rebuilding would be necessary immediately. Even if the
v^olesaling is consolidated at or near the railroad terminals, how-
ever-rthere should be some improvement in the Dock Street market to
make it a good modern jobbing market, but in this event the improve-
ment in the Dock Street 'facilities should be based upon a careful
consideration of the readjustments which would result from the de-
velopment at or near the terminals. In any case, immediate steps
should be taken both 'in the Dock Street and in the Callowhill Street
market to improve traffic regulation, sanitary conditions, and hour
regulation.

Rapid Fertility Tests for Vegetable Soils

Jackson B. Hester
Virginia Truck Experiment Station
Norfolk, Virginia

Soil fertility is a
crops are sensitive to soi
tests that give an inciicat
valuable in vegetable crop
to acid conditions in the
of th^ degree of acidity,
brought to a state more fa
grow vegetable crops must
the organic, matter content
the production becomes unp
by the soil chemical tests

result of many chemical factors. Vegetable
1 conditions. Therefore, reliable soil
ion of these conditions in the soil are

production. Many vegetables are sensitive
soil and the pH value plves an indicction

From this information 'the soil may be
vorable for crop production. Soils that
be v;ell supplied with organic matter.. When

of the soils drops below a certain point
rofi table. This condition may be indicated

^ A test for toxic aluminum is valuable for crops that require
extremely acid soil conditions for control of certain diseases. When
aluminum appears in the soil solution in sufficient concentration to
prove toxic to crops, the acidity cannot be permitted to increase
without economic loss.

Many soils have a strong power for fixing phosphorus in a state
unavailable to crops. It is important to get an indication of the
available phosphorus in the soil to fertilize the crop economically.

3011 conditions influence the availaMIity oj phos^^^^^^^

?iiity tests are important to show these conax^ respond to applied

plats in the field have shown that °rops do not ^^p^ ^^^^ient, hut .

fcf r^:?y llZl i-refse^ \l Tield^w?!- the supply is low.

potash is an important ^f ^i^i°^S,f,^^^^trtLrfr?he%oil ,
production. V^en it is P^^f * i?^ S^else tSf yield. Soil tests,
Tro^^artn\rfertTl?^:r %AlL^olTll fhe held, have shown
SherepStash fertilization was advantageous.

in Short,, fertility tests when proper^ conducted and^^^^^^

correlated to local soil J^'^i^^^^l/^^equIJe certain technical
vegetable crops. The tests, however requir ^^ interpreted,

skill and may he very misleading unles. propex y

x.P...nt Bevelopmen... in irertilizprs and Their Uses

r. G. llerkle ^ ,^ ^ ,

Pennsylvania State College

Changes are constantly taking place in the mnuf^^^^^^^^
use of commercial fertilizers., ?^^L froned oSt as a result of the

of 3 decades ago have been ^.J?J^^^^Snf«c?Srers rtlearch workers and
Splendid cooperation J^ twe en Jhe manufacturers, r ^^

the growers. I have heen ^^f ^ned the task oi ^^\ge of ferti-

nSr;r Tsrari^£ru^s^th?rtrpi?unri^e fpnowlng headings.

I. Acid vs. Neutral Fertilizers.

II. Granular vs. Powdery Fertilizers.
III. Concentrated vs. ordinary Fertilizers.

IV. Need of the Less Common Elements.
V. Methods of Application.

11

'\

I. Acid vs

t

%

comraon!

whil'

or no effect. This tendency nas .'^^^^ 'l^Jt"" ^"^^niutral and still

or basicity because the material in itself may Den ^^ ^^^

have an acid reaction upon the ^ij"/. J^^_^^^e°tral in themselves
that of certain foods that we ^^t which are neutral
but which on digestion produce acidity or basicity.

• Pierre has developed.a laboratory method by which w^^

termine the degree of acidity or basicity J^^^^^^^^p^e and determ-
It consists of burnine the organic matter from ^ sampxe ^^

ining Chemically whether the ash contains more acids^^an ^^ ^^^^^^^
vice versa. The nitrogen which is volatllizea on

nf

■■

-10-

on another san^le and due consideration given to its acidifying ac-
??nr ^he -Sd thou-h not r>erfect, has nade it possible to say
^^VetAe-- a Fiver ?w Seri..l or mixed fertilizer will increase or
v.Letnex ^ Si^«i\ ;^^^*. - ° .^ Table I shows the approxiiaate

lSrcf*^?oSr/iL:tUrnreied t^^L^?alize the aoidlty^^^
a.^ouni< fertilizer as ^^-sll as the liiae stone

equ?va?en? of those vhich have alkaline reaction on the soil.

Table I.

SquJvalent Acidity or Basicity of Common
Raw I'aterlals (Pierre) in Pounds of CaCO
(Ground Limestone) per Acre

5

Equivalent
Acidity

CaCOg
Basicity

Su^erphosphfjte 17-20^

Stearaed Bone

Bone Ash

Limed superphosphate

Texas Bone
precipitated Bone
Texas Brown Rock
sulphate of Ammonia
Apimonian Chloride
Mono AiiL.ionium phos
ATnmo - phos
urea
Nitrate of soda

Cal-Nitro

calcium Cyanamid

;\fiimal tankage

Highgrade tankage

Lov/ grade tankage

Fish scrap

Cotton seed Meal

Tobacco stems

Guano

Dried Blood

Milorganite

17

to

62

1214

1413

42S

852

586

1122

.£786

1292

1997

1680

583

,

346

1245

29

«

122

•

144

169-227

190.

80-356

269-274

i

451-463

238

•

[* -li-

pase laboratory ^etei^-inations of physiological acidity or^^^
hasiciS of ^-•tili.ers are •substant^ated ^o^-^\fl, ,o\ears of fer-

Shaf f1".^rtL°f?Se^irri%fs.5.rteria^ in thi way indicated hy

Se laboratory methods of Pierre. heferti-

Perhaps the greatest change that has ^^^^J^Pi^^i^e^iia^emlnr "
U.er fndSsW or the ^-^^J-f^^^fefs^y a^oSf ?o^s 8f nitx^gen.
of nitrate of soda or °^fj^i%°f !;lonia form is cheaper. Thus a
This is due to the fact ^^^^^^^%^?o goO pounds of sulfate of -
complete fertilizer may contain 200- to buu po ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^

aSm?nia which would require ^^e^use of ^ aridity produced hy the
Umestone to neutralize ^^J P^y^^°i?f;°^on the suggestion of re-
nitrogen alone. Manufacturers actang upon ^ ^ ^^^^^ o^ Sl^^
. search workers, ai^ .now ^adding sufficient xi ^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^
mixtures to neutralize the physiological aci^^^^^^^^ formerly used,
liraestone takes the Pl^^9^,°^^^^^53 calcium and magnesium carbonates,

Dolomitic li^^e^toi^f>.^^^?^,^;?^^i''fince tS former has little or no
is T)ref erred to calcium j-i^^jstone ^i^<=^/^^^^^^ unavailable. In
tendency to render the phosphorus ^^Jj^/^ Mailable form, l^e
addition it provides ^^Sf ^^^^f ^f ?inel/g?ound, that is it should
dolomite for ^^s purpose should be |lnely^g^ ^^ neutralizing and to
KO throufih a lOO-mesn screeu, i/*--
furnish available magnesium.

What is the place of neutral vs acid fertilizers^in^^^^^^
vania agriculture and horticulture? Both are on ^^^ experiBBnts
difference in cost is small. ^ Fertilize^ ^ri coastal plains

and field experiments <^°^if^^,^°?esSSr!y always give significatly
have sho^m that the neutra '^\l\^\l .^%l^y elso show that the acid
larger yields than the acia mixturesi ;^J^„!,.-,g on the heavier
■ mfxtures rapidly lower the pH value of the ^^^^ '^J^^^^^^^ eiif f-
soils of Pennsylvania v/e need not look ior s^n ^^^^^ ^^^ ^^

erences. Our soils, are richer in °^jy/^J_in soils. B. S. Brown
made more acid so easily as ^^l .^^^^f^f^^^^ll ?n comparison witii
reports the results of using ^cid fertilizers in ^ ^.ative

neStral mixtures of the same plant food ^^f ^^^JJ.^Ja as follows:
potato experiments at New Jersey, Maine and Virginia a

This tahle shows that in general the phosphatlc ^6^*11^^®^^
have either no effect or tend toward leaving the soil more has ic.

Even superphosphate, formerly called acid phosphate J^^ U^*^^ °^
no effect upon the soil reaction. The raw and steamed hones and
rock phosphate tend to leave the soil basic.

Those nitrogen carriers which contain their nitrogen as am-
monia or in organic form leave the soil acid. ^^?^f^°^^^„"^^^!
and urea would require approadmately a pound of limestone ^o neu
tralize the acidity produced by a pound of the fertilizer. Calcium
nitrate, cal-nitro, and nitrate of soda leave the soil i?ore basic.
•Jhe potash salts ai-e not reported in this table but it is well known
that they have little or no effects upon soil reaction.

Table II

Acid vs. Neutral fertilizer
for potatoes in Maine,
(soil acid)

Reaction of Mixture
Acid Neutral

Yield

495 bu.

496 ♦•
479 "
493 "

485 bu.
481 ♦•
494 •'
479 "
490 "
508 "

I

i

%

Table III.

Yield

Table rv.

-12-

Acid vs. Neutral Fertilizer
for Potatoes in New Jersey.
Three Farms, pH 4.6 - 5.2
(Soil acid)

Reaction of Mixture
Acid Neutral

174 bu.
184 "
180 "
182 ♦•
180 "

Acid vs. Neutral Mixture for
Potatoes in Virginia, 2 Fams,
pH 5.3 - 5.4 (Soil acid)

Reaction of Mixture
Acid Neutral

^*

174

bu.

182

ft

191

ti

177

»t

yield

213

bu.

• 213

»i

219

tt

202

ti

206

bu.

205

213

213

212

218

211

212

*

In these experiments reported in Tables 2, 3 and 4, there is
little preference^ of one form over the o-ther. They are in contrast
with the results obtained at West Virginia and otter Coastal Plain
Stations on vegetable crops, where much better germination and growth
was obtained with neutral mixtures.'

t

not r
of do
be to
may s
pound
pound
have

The use of neutral mixtures is to be recommended but we should
ely on them to correct acid soil conditions. The small amount
lomtte contained in a fair acre application of fertilizer will
tally inadequate in changing the reaction of an acid soil. It
imply be expected to prevent an increase in acidity. A 1500 ^

application of a neutral mixture might contain 150 to 250
s of dolomite, an amount which might influence a sandy soil but
little or no effect upon a heavy one.

II. Granular vs. Powdery Fertilizers ••

Recently some manufactures of superphosphate, cyanamid, and
som^ synthetic fertilizers have put out their products in pellet or
granule form. This has been done to produce a product which will
not cake badly in storage, which will flov/ readily thru distributors
without arching and which might be broadcast with knapsack grain
seeders. These aims have been realized but what of the availability
of large pellets as compared with powdery products?

>

-13-

Table V. Cosipaiison of Granulated vs. powdered

Fertilizers on. Corn in Pot Experiment

. •

Mixed with soil In Layers

14-42-14 Granulated
14-42-14 -ppwdery

241
172

299
347

Mack at the Pennsylvania Experiment Station obtained ^^etter
results with the powdery product on spinach. Conner obtained the
reverse Table V. Savre conducted a rather detailed trial with
these two products on torn toes and obtained distinctly better re-
sults with the granular form. ,Tabl.^,.vl. ...

Table VI. Compsrison of powdered vs

4-16-4 for Tomatoes:

• Yield per Acre J_

• No :■ Broadcast :
:Fert.

Granulated

<ll

Tons

: ■ In Bands-
tPowder ;Gran. ;Povvder ; Gran.

To 'Aufi. 31
»' Sept. 10
" Sept. 30

0.74
1.62
6*62

1.1

2.53
8«52

1 . 29
3.15
9.51

1.33
3.08
8.88

1.49
3.53
9.65

Gain due Fert,

1*90

2.89

2»26

3»03

It is believed that less fixation of available phosphate can
take TDlace from the -nellets than fron the pov/der. Sayre proved this
to be the case by ane.lyzinr some of the pellets remaining in the soil
16 weeks and found that &5f, of the N and 85/o of the KgO had dissolved
from the granules while i.uch of the avail-^ble phosphate remained
' ithin. Further studies must be conducted alon^ this line but both
tbeorv -nd trial see-: to concur that the pellet form is here to stay.

III. Concentrated vs. Ordinary Fertilizers.

The low analysis fertilizer of 10-20 years has nearly disap-
T^eared from the market. This is the result of consistent fighting
on the r)art of teachers of agriculture and efforts of the National
Fertilizer Association. What was for^ierly the high analysis mix is
now the ordinary fertilizer. Recently concentrated fertilizers com-
poimded from synthetic nitrogen materials have appeared. Such may
contain 30, 40, 50 or even- 60^ total plant food. The following
questions concerning their use hnve arisen,

a\ ConT)aretive costs.

b. Effect on germination and g-rov^th.

c. Absence of other elements.

-14-

The chief difference in cost is thct resulting from a saving
in freight. Containing, p.s they do, two or three times as much
plant food as ordinary fertilizers there is some saving in freight,
cartage, and h. ndling.

»

Table VII

Co.mp- rative Costs of One Unit of plant
Eood In Low and Higher -Analysis Ferti-
lizer Delivered to the Farm. Ratio in
all Cases 1-2-1. .....

. . N.T. & W. Pa. :No. Carolina ; Ind.

4-8-4

5-10-5

6-12-6

8-16-8

10-20-10

1.85
1.68
1.53
1.47
i.43

1.80
1.65
1,55
1.43
1.35

1.94
1.90
1.70
1.67
1.62

Concentrated fertilizers ere composed of highly soluble salts,
hence the question as to the effect of these upon germinating and
grov/th as a result of over concentration of the soil solution. Doubt
less this question arose as a result of some person using the concen-
trate form at the same rate as he formerly Used the ordinary foim.
Numerous experimental trials in vsiiich equivalent amounts are used
indicates that the concentrated forms are as good as the ordinary

and that they do not over- concentrates the soil solution,

• • •

B. E. Bro^Am. and 0. A. Cummlngs obtained the following results
with potatoes in Maine, New Jersey and Virginia. Table VIII.

Table VTII.- Potato Yields fron Fertilizer. •

Placement S inches from Seed
piece on Sane Level,

Maine

£. 1-

CariDou
4-8-7

Loam
8-16-24

New Jersey
Sassafras
4-8-7 8-16-14

Virginia
Sandy Loam
6-6-5 12-12-10

1932.
1933

312
300

313
316

252
236

254
240

123
219

112
232

t *

These results are tj^pical of many other experiments which
testify thet hif?h analysis fertilizers if used in comparable amounts
are as effective as ordinary mixtures and no more injurious to
germination.

/ Concentrated fertilizers contain less calc
and probably also less of the minor elenEnts tha
mixture. The reasons for this are obvious. The
atmospheric nitrogen in most instances and are s
nutrient bases exe combined with the nutrient ac
the presence of calcium, sulfur, and magnesium,
absence of these elements- is conpensated for by
cannot be deteinined at this time*

ium, magnesium, sulfur,
n the usual ordinary
y are prepared from
o c orapounded that the
ids thus precluding
Whether or not the
their lower net cost

-15-

IV. Need of the Less Common Elements.

The complete fertilizer of the past has been purchased for its
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, but it invariably contained
calcium 4nd sulfur. Therefore the two latter elements were cared
for qStrwell. This brings up the question as to whether the con-
tinued use of the so-called high analysis brands which may contain
little or no calcium or sulfur may not eventually lead to a deple-
tion of these elements. Sulfur is added to the soil annually through
rains in amounts greater than required by plants. Calcium needs
should be taken care of by liming to bring the reaction of the soil
UD to somewhere around pH 6 or 7 depending upon the °rop grown. The
s? called exchange complex of the soil should be around 3/4 saturated
with calcium and liming is the cheapest and best. way to do this.

■

Magnesium is next in importance. It i
considerable amounts. It is a constituent o
pigment so important in photosynthesis. It
.leafy plants and those producing quentities
the storage organs* When magnesium is defic
functions the lower leaves become yellowish,
at the tips and margins of the leaves and sp
causing a bulging of the tissue between the
affected later* Toward the last stages the

s required by plants in
f chlorophyll, the green
is most significant for
of starch or sugar in
lent for normal plant

The yellowing begins
reads between the veins
veins; Upper leaves are
tissue becomes brittle.

. Like calcium, magnesium is leached from soils as a result of
cultivation and exposure to fall and winter rains. The sandy^soils
of the Atlantic coastal Plains and the heavily cropped Maine potato
soils have already shovm unmistakable deficiency of magnesium which
cannot be replaced by other elements. Good increases in yield,
vigor, and color have been obtained by the use of magnesium sulfate,
dolomite, kieserite, or sulfate of magnesia, added to the fertilizers
for such soils, . •

■

The soils farther inland and this includes most of Pennsylvania,
contains more clay and are not so deficient in magnesium, nevertheless
those types which are most acid are most likely to be deficient in
this eleinent. The chemical tests for available magnesium are not
very reliable but they give us a general idea of the probable status
of this element.

The use of neutral fertilizers which have their physiological
acidity cared for by the addition of dolomite (magnesium limestone)
will take care of any possible magnesium deficiency. Farm manures,
particularly urine ,■ contain considerable magnesium. Many gardeners
have been forced to retJlace animal manures with fertilizers. These
will be the first to siiffer from the lack of this element.

Tine will not permit us to take up a complete discussion of
the significance of the minor elements, copper, magane se , boron,
zinc, cobalt, and host of othersj. Attention has been attracted to
these as a result of water culture studies and fertilization of ex-
treme soil tyries. It can be proven that each of these elements is
needed in very small amounts in plant nutrition but the amount must
be very small, several of the above are toxic even at low concen-
trations, some peat and muck soils which are chiefly composed or

••'fi

U:

-16-

leached vegetable tissue are TDenefitted ^j eoplication of copper,
maganese, and sometimes other elements. These two circumstances,
together v/ith the advertising claims of a few fertilizer companies,
have given rise to an undue interest in the so called rare or minor
elements* In penns^/^lvania our muck areas may- require such additions
but in the present state of our knowledge it seems that the traces
required are present in nearly all of our soils.

It should be mentioned that the solubility of meinganese is
determined by the soil reaction. In over-limed soils with high pH
values pH 8. - 8.5, manganese and iron may become so insoluble that
plants growing on such soils become chlorotic.

If .attention is c^iven to maintaining a supply of activity
decomposing organic matter b.y means of rianure , green manure or sod
crops the whole question of minor elements will be dispensed with.

Vt Method of Application

Considerable information has been gained with reference to
•the manner of application of fertilizers. Germination, root growth,
and yield may be considerably decreased if fertilizers are used in
close contact with the seeds. The effectiveness of the fertilizers
on the other hand, maybe decreased by adsorption and fixation if
they are mixed intimately into the soil as in broadcast applications.

At one' time it was customary to place the fertilizer In the .
drill and plant the seeds or tubers in direct contact with it. Others
advocated mixing the fertilizer in the drill and planting seeds or
tubers in the v/ell mixed soil. Neither is a good practice for these
reasons. Those fertilizers which are soluble salts' produce a some-
what concentrated solution preventing the seed from taking up the
moisture it needs to geininate. Hence germination may be prevented
or considerably delayed. Seeds will gerTainate better in fresh moist
sand than- in soil, showing that nutriment is not required for the
process. The organic fertilizers like dried blood, animal tankage,
dried fish, cotton seed meal, and even animal manures favor a rapid
growth of molds v;hich attack the sprouting seeds. 'Hence nearly all
the nitrogen carries and potash salts hinder rather than assist
germination.

The phosphates produce the least injury. This is because of
their low solubility and the fact that the phosphate which goes into
solution, is generally fixed by the soil. ■

. / ■

-17-

Table IX.

The Effect of Fertilizers upon the
Germination ov sprouting Showing the
proportion Germinating.

Material

TcTover :Corn
:20 Seeds: 5 Seeds

: soy Deans
: 5 Seeds

potato
1 Tuber

Nitrate of Soda

sulfate of Am.

Aiamo. Phos

Cyanamid

super phos

Dis Bone

Fish

Blood

Slag

St. Bone

Muriate of Pot.

Sul. of pot*

Sulf. of Pot. L G

NO pert. •-

0
0

2 Weak
0

15
7
9

13

11

■ 13

0

1

1

• 13-

0
0
0
0
5
5

5
5

0
0
0
5 good

0
0
0
0
5
1

0
4

0
0
0
5

0
0
0
0
0
0

0

0
0
0
0

started

m

\\\

II

started

II

sprouted

• Nearly all trials indicates that the seed or tubers should not
be placed in contact with the fertilizers. Place it in fresh soil.
It is true that small grains are dropped in close contact with the
fertilizer but the amount used is small and is composed chiefly oi
phosphates which are the least injurious materials..

Broadcast application also is to be avoided except where ab-
solutely necessary. It is believed that thorough mixing of f|^tilizer£
so that they come in intimate contact with all the soil particles
increases the chances for fixation of phosphorus in particular and
this results in poorer yields, ^

The most promising method of application, if the character of
the crop will iDermit it is to have the fertilizers placed in bands
nearly on a level with the seed or tubers and about two inches on
each side, thus permitting the seed to be in fresh soil, and still
keep the fertilizers from being fixed by the soil.

•'

-18-

Table X. Placement Tests With Fertilizers For

potatoes, B. S. Brovm. Average of Several
Years Work in Maine, Mich* 2, N. J# i N.Y.,
Ohio, Va,,

In furrow well mixed in soil

• •' • • ■'''■■>•..

side placement, bands 2" from seed on level
with seed

240 bu.

I •

289 "

265 ♦'

282 »•

279 ♦♦

258 "

Bands 2"- on .side and 2" 1?elow se.ed pieces

4'» on side in bands and on level with piece

1»» on side in bands and on level with piece

4 - 5" band 1»» of fertilizer free soil
between seed and fertilizer

• .* . •

' spinach Varieties for Market

W. At Frazier

In discussing these varieties, you must realize that our wDrk
has been done in the Baltimore area of Maryland, and the performance
of the various .varieties may not. be relatively tJie seme in your
locality, it would seem, however, that the two regions are near

enough alike so that spinach will, in the main, react similarly,

• . ..■.•. ■ . * • • •

•• •.• ••

Since the savoyed varieties are most desirable for market be-
cause they hold up better in the basket and keep a better appearance
on the retail stand, we shall discuss them first,

Virginia "savoy or Blight Resistant has been successfully grown
in Maryland for several years. In our tests it has yielded well for
the fall crop, and is recommended for fall planting, but ne ve r for .
spring planting, since it goes to" seed so early > It is blight re-
sistant and exceptionally winteFliardy,

The old Dominion variety is somewhat similar in appearance to
Virginia Savoy, and is recommended for fall planting. Yields have
been slightly below Virginia Savoy in fall plantings. It will not
go to seed quite so early in the spring, however. It is winter
hardy and can be planted for over-wintering.

' Reselected Bloomsdale and Dark Green Bloomsdale have,^ in our... .
trials, been very similar in growth characteristics. They are highly
recommended for spring planting for the market. They are not winter

hardy.

Longstanding Bloomsdale is a slow growing, savoyed variety,
desirable where the grower wishes a part of his acreage held past
the usual spring harvest date for Reselected or Dark Green Bloomsdale.

se

-19-

Longstanding Bloomsdale may stand from 5 to 10 days longer than the
varieties before going to seed, and in rich soils this variety will
give a satisfactory yield.

The above mentioned varieties, all savoy types, are recom-
mended in Maryland for market purposes, although for canning and for
highest yields some of the new, dark strains of flat leaved spinach
are most desirable. Two of these, Hollandia and Giant Leaved Gftudry
are fast-growing, large leaved varieties, yielding heavily both in
fall and spring, and go to seed about the same time as Long Standing
Bloomsdale or possibly a little earlier. The home gardener should
try these varieties.

Strains of vegetable crops are sometimes as important to know
as varieties. It is wise for the vegetable growers - especially
spinach growers - to inquire of your state experiment station for
definite recommendations regarding .the performance of strains.

Sweet Corn Varieties and Their Improvement

Donald F. Jones
Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, Conn.

Hybrid sweet corn is listed in many seed catalogs. Larger
acreages are being planted each year. This growing interest places
this new kind of seed in a rather critical position. Seedsmen with
little previous experience are rushing into the production of this
cross bred seed corn that everybody wants and is willing to pay high
prices for. Many new conbinat ions are being put out each year. Some
of these have not been adequately tested. This means that there are
going to be many failures and disappointments. Growers should re-
member that hybrid corn is no better than the seedsman that produces
it. Go slow with hybrid corn until you have given it a careful test
and have located a reliable source of seed.

Since hybrid corn is more unifonn it must be more thoroughly
adapted to the section where it is to be grown than naturally-
pollinated varieties. In general it has been found that varieties
and hybrids developed in the northeastern section .where the average
corn yields are high cannot be grovv^n so successfully outside this
region as varieties that have been developed under less favorable
growing conditions. For productive types Pennsylvania should develop
its own varieties and hybrids or look to adjacent regions to the
south and west. For early corn the adjacent regions to the north
are most likely to give the best results. It make s no difference
where the seed is produced so long as it is kept adapted to the
locality where it is to be grown by having the stock seed selected
and grown there .

n

^SiBrt^

wY'*WF<r«^'^?^.".yr^'7;XJ3fctr?t^ ^ y'"^V-'t^''^^zr>z^,^i^^'^''' •'-k^-^tt'^.-^^s^'x.

\

-20-

The following hybrids have all "been tested and are known to
do 'jyvell in the northeastern states:

Early

Marcross C6 '

Marcross C13.6

Marcross C3 * ' • •

Gemcross P39 •

Spancross C2 ' •

second Early

• ■ • • •

spancross P39 " . '
Marcross P39
Early Bancross P39

Seneca Golden

■ .' •
Yellow Mid-season . -

Whipcross C6,2
Whipcross P39

Whipcross pBgvOa- • ^ .. : , .' '

Golden Cross Bantam
Bloomoross P39 . '

: White ivlid- season

• Pearlcross" .•■..' ' ' "^

Redgreen

A Trial of Varieties of Celery for the Philadelphia Market

John A. Andrev/, Jr.
School of Horticulture, Ainbler, Pa. ^

This experiment v;fes conducted in cooperation with the Penn-
sylvania Agricultural Extension Service in order to determine the
varieties and strains of celery most suitable for the southeastern
part of the state. The seed, which consisted of eight strains of
Golden plume and seven of Easy Blanching and Full Heart types, was
supplied by prof. J. M. Huffington.

I think it best to give you a general idea of the methods used
to grow these varieties before proceeding further as undoubtedly •
they are of prime importance in the results obtained.

Seed Treatment:

The seed of every strain was treated with calomel to prevent
damping off. The seed of each strain was placed in a cheesecloth
bag which was suspended in a solution of one ounce of calomel in a
gallon of water for three minutes. The seed was snread out, allowed
to dry, and put back in the package to be planted later. Not one
plant was lost by damping off.

-21-

»

S ov/lng Seed:

The seed was sown on April 6 d-n a cold fraiue. The soil was '
firrned watered, the seed hroadcast and covered with finely sieved
sand! It was not necessary to apply additional water until the
seedlings were above ground.

General Care Before Transplanting: ' ' , ■

AS soon as the first true leaves appeared the plants ^^re ^•
dusted with a copper-line mixture. The plants were dusted regularly
and only minute traces of blight were observed in 2 cases.

The plants were not transplanted before being set in the ifield
but in some cases it was necessary to do a little thinning out.

The plants were thoroughly soaked and sprayed before they
v-rere set out.

soil Preparation:

The soil was tested and sufficient line applied to bring it
up to neutral. A liberal application of well rotted cow manure was
plowed under and a 5-10-5 fertilizer applied at the rate of one
pound to 50 square feet and raked in before planting. The soil was
a silt loam. • '

inches in the row and
each strain were set

setting out plants:

The plants v;ere set out on July 3, six
four feet between the rows. Fifty plants of
out.

The plants received no water from any artificial source after
being set out except that from sprays which were consistently appliea
every 10-14 days until September 20,

As no aT)T3reciable amount of rain fell for three weeks the
plants were mulched with hay. ^his mulch remained there until
September 20, so that the plants thrived without any cultivation and
an occasional weeding.

on sexjtember 22 the T)lant s received an application of nitrate
of soda at the rate of 200 pounds per acre and on October 1 paper
was put on to bleach them.

on October 16 prof. J. M. Huffington, C. K. Hallowell and a
representative of Eastern States Farmers Exchange made the following
observations which are recorded in order.

1. Golden plume (Jersey Strain - Eastern States Farmers* Exchange)
HeiriJit - S6'S stelks - 9*", circumference S**
Very good strain; Ribs broad and medium deep
Heart medium height; Medium heavy - 7 stalks per plant

A"***!^

II

-22-

2. Golden plume (Abbott & Cobb)

iiei^^nt • 27", stalks - 11", c ircuiaference 7"
Not quite so good here as Golden plume .( Jersey-E.S. )
Stalks too slender and tapering, shank, (top) too long
Ribs narrow and medium deep
. Medium full heart

Medium v/eight - 7 stalks per plant

3.

rcumference 7t"

Golden pluiae 4162 ( Fe r r y-Mo r se )
Height - :^5i", stalks - 9", clr
Rather uneven . . •

Good heart

Some plants of excellent type, others ^^ith stalks
to a smBll size at the 'tot>^.

tapering

4.

Golden Flune > "f^^^^V H6S-17 (Forbes)
rieignt - Z4:'\ stalks - 9", circumference -
Too light all through. Tall anr: thin.

«

^' Golden Plume Hybrid No. 8 (Ferry-Korse )
Hei-nt - He", Eta.Li:s - 7t" , cii-CBmference
Full tall heart
. Good type ' . . ".

.. Rather smell here,. "■..

Shows good promise

e"

- 7i»»

6. Golden plume ^36 (Ferry-Morse)
Hei-snt - .r'b", stalks - 9", circumference
Ribs medium in width and depth
Tall heart but rnther light

Stalks of c-ood size

7. Golden Plume - Cal'. (Eastern states)
Height - 20", staTFs - 7", circumference
Good tj^pe but rather small here.

8. Mic hi gan Golden (Mich. Strte College)
Heifiit - E5i-»«, stalks - 8", circumference
Uneven; light - poor for crates • .

Bushy top

6*"

7t"

7i"

1.

2.

Easy Blanching and Full Heart Tvoes

^ ■ ■■ I ■ I* .1 ■■ I I ■■ 1 !■ ■> ^. , ,1 iiT^ M^,

glljLM^e ^&sy Blenching -1117 (Tether)
Height - 26^-", stalks -iOt", circumference S*"
Good length of stalks, thin r-t base
Tall full heart •• '

Stalks more tapering than Full Heart (Forbes)

S^ull Heart 1158-12 (Forbes)

Height - <;;i", stalks - 8", circumference 8i»

Best short stemmed celery

on poorer soil the hearts may be too short

-23-

3.

sweet TT^art Easy Blanching (Abbo;Jt & Cobb)
lsT3rr"-"'SSi'* , stalks 7", circumference - 10"

4.

Broad ribs - rather siaooth stalks
Similar to Full Heart (Forbes)

■B-ull Heart East Blanching (Abbott & Cobb)
leight - W^i'\ st^n^'i"^^". circumference -
Earl"^^ - brittle
Good" celery but not unifoim - short to tall

9" and 25-9-8

6f"

7|"

short stalks

5 Easy Blanching (Ferry-Morse)
feight - ie.l^»'," stalks - 9", circumference
only fair - tapering stalks

6 Green Hybrid No. 6 (Ferry-Morse)
Heiyht - iJl^", stalks - 8", circumference
Best new celery
Quite uniform
Dark green
Medium stalks

7. yrewark Market - 1185 (Tether)

Height - k4», stalks 8|'S circumference 7f"
Old 'type for S. E. penna. section _
Dark green, round stalks '• 4r

Similar to Ferry-Morse's Easy Blanching except

Tomato Quality studies in Maryland

W. A. Frazier
university' of Maryland

It is important to bear in mind the fact that every operation ^
m the production . picking, "and handling of ^^^f ?^f,^^iL^^^^^°^ltions
degree influence tomato quality. Therefore, Jl^^^^^Jl^^J^i^^^f J^^ °'''-
are offered with regard to production and handling of canning crop

tomatoes for high quality: .

I. Production Factors

Soil nutrients. The tomato is one of the most responsive of .
Si v2ge?a??e cro?s to plentiful fertilization. It responds
especially to barnyard manure, and phopphorus applications,
in Maryland 4-12-8, and 4-8-5 are most often used The pen n-
sylvania grovrer should consult his Experiment Station with
regard to the formula to use. Rotation is necessary for
successful continued tomato production.

seed and plants. Seed should be purchased ^^om reliable
seedsmen, stocky plants result from proper seed bed care.
If Georgia plants are purchased they should be jJ^J^® J^f ^J...
after afrival. If plants are grown in coldframes do not plant

seed too thickly.

A.

B.

m

'

V

I

M

-?.4-

C. Variety. For canning crop tomatoes, Marglobe , Greater Balti-
more, Rutgers, and Prit chard are generally superior at this
time, both for Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Di

?i!^ 1 f ""^^ cultivation, in Merylf.nd the earliest plantings
(but late enough to avoid frost) give higher yields, and only
shallow cultivation is made after plants have begun gro wine
In J ; J^^^ cultivation after this t.lLie will injure the roots
and reduce yield, as well as foliage.

E.

?o^oi?L^^? hanoling. For canning purposes, careful picking
if,!f?^f^^ly importeiit. Pickers should be warned not to piSk
?^f^i^i^y fr^"" fruits. Canners make a mistake in letting
tomatoes sit m baskets for several days before they are

a?i^n hn?4^'''''? ^^^^S""^' ^* ^^ difficult to avoid this sltu-
tntfol 4 i it should be remembered that losses from rots and
i^^ect infection become steadily higher in such fruits.

^^* ractors More Directly Concerned with Fruit Quality" " ' ' " '

^' Se^ha^e ?^S/?h T^-JJ^ essential to high quality in tomatoes
oL™? J?^^*?,^^^ withm our major varieties, there is no

?eav? fo?}L.^^^^^ -^r" ^^ °°^°^- ^ S£3t important thing is
^11^ ^.""li^l' w^^i°h prevents sun Trom^iCTning on frurti~lnT-
raTsTng^tne temperature. If the temperature of the fruit

will develo.'??; r^°J development Stops. Excellenfc Jlor
wixx aeveiop m total darkness.

sSeSs'??^?h'p^iSn-\ '^??/^J^*i^^ amounts of chemical con-
acid it^nrP^,^S I l^ ^^'ill. affect taste, sugar content and
aSd inc4^t ?J *''''^ ^''''^^^ ^®°°^^ l^^s «°id as they ripen,

Jllt,?^ ^ ^."^^^ '""^^^^^ content will increase somewhat

^^ZrZ^^S^lA-S^-^ Va?erJon?eVf o^^ ^^ '

^r? Tlllr^r^r^?L'le^o^^ depending upon the

aJif frl?t'^''^ '1^ Individuals, a minority of whom prefer more
JaiseJbi tM .???f °^.*^^ variation in acidity of fruits is
The iScuLi Lnf^n. ?Jh^"'°''?* °^^'^11 ^i^^"^ in tomatoes,
is rao?e^cid ?h n J^ (the watery material in the fruit cavities)
vJries Jfh J *^v ?°^^^ ^^li tissue. Thickness of wall

B.

C.

• ^.

/ D

Mi

^eZ^touZ'Vm^^^^^^ standpoint, it has

for culls are. ?n?o ;^ V ^^ a rule the most frequent causes
Losse^ fvnm^I^ ' cracks, sunburn, and misshapen fruits.

C?ackinf ?Ssses'.?f? l^ ^^^"^""'' ^^ P^^^^^g ^^vl often. *

unI?orm^:no?s?u?e suJdIv ''an^°r^ 7^^^ ^^^"f ^^^^ ^^^^^ foliage,
possible pJi^Jf.^-?^^' f^^ fruits are picked as soon as
possible. Good foliage also reduces -sunburn losses.

i

-25-

■ It is readily apparent that many of these factors concerned
with fruit quality are dependent upon methods of growing. It is
!iparent, farther, that in our section, good foliage is highly
correlated with high quality and high yield.

variety Trials of Tomatoes, sweet Corn, and peas in 1956

Warren B. Mack '
State College, pa.

in this discussion, which constitutes part of a half-day pro-
gram for growers of canning crops, particular attention should be
paid to the varieties which are suited for canning, though some men-
tion will be given to market varieties. .

Marglobe, Rutgers, and Baltimore are varieties wfeich because
of yield, firmness, color, and uniformity are leaders in the canning
tomato grou^; the first two are more desirable in shape for market
purT)0ses than is the last. Bonny Best is preferable to the above
varieties for market or canning in the parts of the state in which
the growing season is relatively short. Each variety mentioned has
its advantages and disadvantages: Bonny Best, for example, is weii
colored and is less subject to fruit cracking, but is more subject
to foliage diseases and is less firm than are the others named.
Marglobe is subject to cracking, but is desirable in other character-
istics. Rutgers is a little less subject to cracking and under
commercial conditions develops a little higher flesh color than does
Mar-lobe, and is little subject to foliage diseases, but is too late
for manv r)arts of the state. Baltimore is well colored, free from
cracking, 'productive, and fairly resistant to foliage ^i^f^f^ J' ^^J^^^
is subject to blosson-end rot. All things considered, the first three
varieties naaed are most desirable, and efforts should be made to
secure the strains which lead in desirable characteristics and have
fewest undesirable ones. Differences among strains which appeared
in trials v/ill be discussed.

■Among sweet corn varieties, attention should be given to the
newer hybrid sorts which are siDecially desirable for canning because
of uniformity in size, quality, plant characteristics, and time oi
maturity. As with tomatoes, most varieties have both deslraDie
and undesirable characteristics. Golden Cross Hybrid or Golden Cross
Bantam leads in productiveness, uniformity, disease-resistance,
and -sturdiness in'^ent, and edible quality is very good, but kernels
are not very deep. Bancross 201.39 is suitable where eight-row corn
is preferred; Golden Colonel has very deep kernels, but is not so
high in flavor as are some other varieties, nor is it so productive
as Golden Cross Hybrid. If white canning varieties are desired,
the stowell and County Gentlemen hybrids should be given a trial.
Marcross 6 and S^ancross 2 wei:e the earliest good-quality varieties
in 1936 trials which could be depended upon to produce a crop 11 wiit;-
diseese were present.

The pea -canning industry is looking for an early variety which
has the productiveness and reliability of Alaska and in addition nas
a good, sweet flavor. Wisconsin Early sweet and surprise appeared

t

i

%n

I

"■. J*::^^":. 'Ji„i.^t. -'JifJHta

in

■} Mi

-26-

thP^^.^f^^J satisfactory in 1936. though in trials at state College
the former variety was more severely damaged by root-rot than were
£^? ^^°K surprise., Early Perfectah, Wilt-Resistant Perfection, and
Perfectah also appeared to good advantage, both in productiveness,
quality, and uniformity of maturity. «.xvbxi«55,

TDT^.o-^of """S ^r^^i pea varieties, World Record, Thomas Laxton, Laxton
ct^f^!h '/''^^''^^T.°^^ ^^^^^f^ Market, stride Type (Giant stride,
S5i? ^'.^°'^^''f Wonder, Midseason Giant, leer, and Duplex), aAd
Dwarf Aldeman (Asgrow 40) provided a succession of desirable, dark
green, large-podded, dwarf varieties of high quality.

Cabbage Growing in Pennsylvania

W-. B. Nissley
state College, pa.

oT> mr.J?'^ ^^^^ successful cabbage growers are those who grow several
a sub^t^ntHi' '^°^ year; With them it is one of their main crS^ISd
a substantial source of income. The sanall grower of a fraction of
SSt ?ave tVlZl^^ acres usually grows a vfriety of crops ^d does

Slani IrnlL %^''*^''^^^ ^^ *^^ larger grower in source of seed,
plant growing, and general cultural practices.

^.r.^'.r ^n^^ ^v"^® exceptions most j-rovvers use Golden Acre for first

LariJ'T^'?r?^f ? ^^^'■''"^ f^"" ""^^^"^ ^^^1^' Gl°^y of Enkhuizen o?
Qhn?t III ^°P?^?agen Marl:et for summer and kraut season, and
Short stem Danish callhead for v/inter storage.

T«nu-r?n^ ^2J *^® ^K^^ ^''-''^^ '^^^P i^ ^o^'^ in greenhouses' in
fvTfs^inV.lrr'^7.' the transplanted plants transferred to cold-
ira.jes m ijarch and planted in the field in April.

Where greenhouses are not available and hotbeds are used

ilv^lT.^'t/'^''f' ^''\^''^ Pl^^^^ ^^^ ^^«<^y ^or tie ?ield by Say!
may be either transplanted in the frames or thinned as desired.

seed bP^s^'o?/^n^^ ^fl® °^°P ^^ ^°^ ^^ carefully prepared outdoor
JJ^r 1 5 ^'' L -^^ *° ^^ ^^^ ^®t in the field June 20 to July 1 To

fJsted^^%h^^«SS ^"-T' '^^'"^ a fertile piece of ground not in-
It^l !^th cabbage diseases. The seed bed should be well- Drenared

o?gaSc'mlS7L'VnST;"^

adfSce of s^L?n. nf .v,"^^^^* ^^'^^^^^ ^^^^^ ^nder a month in

aavance of seeding and the ground harrowd t)eriodically is eood

?Se son'tn '"'"^'f : fertilizer prior to seeding and work it Jnio
S? l?o^ p / r""^ '^''P^^- °^^ P°^^<i °^ seed shSuld produce plants
Sar?:%?ac?ice'frlauerf ihii?\' seed thinly in row? about ?5 fnches
3 ©r 4 Der ?noh a 2 5 shallow cultivation, thin the plants to

prope/?er?Ul2e?^°?,'!?f?;;,^°''»'' *? «°'"' t^-^^t-^nt such as a good soil,

periodicallv riirT-i n/r 4->.^ ^ ^^^ ^^^-'- ^^^ *^® soil harro\\'ed

perioaically during the spring months to planting time is fine.

seed
They

-27-

A cover cro^ T)lov;ed unde? in the spring also is good. M^mure turned
under is a tre&traent precticed by -lany ?:ro\';ers. In addition to the
above riractices a co::'J)lete fertilizer suoh as a 4-ir!-4 or 4-16-4 at
the i>?te of ^400 to 800 pounds per acre is fine. A rovv application
of sever £:il hundred rounds worked deeply into the soil vvith the re-
'\xaiiider :jroctdcaSt is popull:r, . plaiitin£ distances ranfre from 18" by
30'' to 24" b^,' 36'» for e^.i•ly. cabbage and 20" by 30" to '36" by 36" for
I'-it^ cabb/,-'fe. Five to seven cultivations should be f,iven,. deT)ending
upon v/eed .jrrov/th,'

• ■"•■ <.. *^ '* •*

Geaeial Control Measures lor Ccub(?.::..e Diseases*

0. D. Bur'ce and P.. S. Kirby,
Stete College ^ Pa. •

Aside fro^ specific ineasures v/hich apoly to definite diseases,
3 Q'eneral disease control pro^:ra:ji can be set up for cabba^^e that will
insure ^ i:::ini.Qium loss each year. These /general practices are listed
and discussed briefly belov:: . ...

1. Al.1 seed should be treated to destroy disease-causing or-
i^c'Tiisns in ox on them. 'li it v^rere possible to obtain seed fron
pl:^iits iMovT. to be healthy this jstep would not be needed, but most .'
of the seed usao is of -uncertain origin. .The hot v^ater treatment
is effective against bacteria or fungi either within or oh the seed,
place the-seefj to be treated in sr.i6ll cheesecloth bags. Place in
water r-t 12:;^F. for 25 -linutes; then renove and Ir^i^ediately plunge .
into cole vater. The seed should be spread out anc' dried or planted
iiirieciiately. The tei/iperature ran^'e is very narrow at vvhich effective
killinz-r of disease-ceusinp. cr^.anisus is secured v;ithout reducing
ger-'iiination of the seed. a ther.aoneter at the sane depth as the
seed .'^'hov.ld be used to check the teioperature durin^v the treatraent.

k

I

Co.npounds oontainiau; either or^-anic :;iercury o
after the hot vvater treatuent increase the cone-up.
off or wi:e steii. Orgeuuc ?:iercuric'ls should be use
the container. If caloitiel is used, do- not use the
but apply one pound of the' pov^der to each pound of
A sticker consisting of one-hall pound of gum arabi
one qur.rt of v/ater and used. to dai.ipen the seed befp
the calomel causes' it to adhere and Increases the e
treatrien 6. . ■ ■.

V calomel applied
and prevent damping
d as directed on
organic mercurial^
moistened seed,
c dissolved in
re dusting vith
fficiency of the

Z. The soil used for the seedbed should be one which has never
had cabbage on it or one v;hich has been thoroughly .sterilized. A
soil that has had cabbage refuse applied in the manures is unfit for
caoba^^e beds unless it is sterilised.

3. The location of the seedbed is important. Cere must be
taken to prevent drainage water from old cabbage fields, or from
cabbage refuse, re-.ichins: the seedbed. Ivt-any of . the cabbage diseases
affect other plants similrr to cabbage, therefore, the seedbed may
be contaminated by •^:)lacing it near .a weed patch.

mm

.'■xTaigjzigr^.- Kxnwwj

Hf

-23-

4. Use corrosive sublimate as a diench as soon as the plants
are up and reper.t at v;eel-:ly intervals until the plants are set in the
fieldt ?he p?ooer strength of corrosive sulDlimate to use is one ounce
in 7?^' lions of water ( appro xi^iately 1-1000 . This material is a
pSison"';McS may be bought at any drug store. It is highly corrosive
Ld should be used in glass, wooden, or earthenware containers, since
it will soon destroy galvanized or other metal Pails. The drench is
injurious to the tops and should be applied so that only the roots
are v/etted. men the plants are small, one gallon v; ill do for 40
feet of row, but more is needed as the plants become larger. Apply

as soon as the plants OTe up and at weekly intervals until they are
set in the field.

5. Any be (3 showing diseased plants should be discarded. Trans-
ferring such plants to the field vill result in the infection of

the ■vhole field. ,

6. In the field, T^ractice rotations, preferably 3 to 7 or more
years. In outlining- a rotation, the' grower must consider the dis-
eeses to be controlled end the fact th=-t :iost of the cabbage diseases
affect cignv cruciferous croT)s, such as cauliflower, ^ale, brussei
sT^routs, turnips, and Liuf^ttid. Including such crops in the rotation
Y'ill only serve to intensify the situation.

7. Cabbage refuse should not be included in the manures placed
on land on ^. hich cabbage is to be grown. To do so will often carry
the disease-causing orjianisms to the field.

as

soil moisture :^ermits. Deeper planting

8. plant as shallow
increases dauiping-off .

9. The use of hj'-drated li-rie to bring, the field to pH 7.2 is
very effective in the control of club root. The lime should be
ar)Dlied six weeks to two months before the cabbage is set out, and
disced or harrowed into the soil. If the soil is already at the
desired pH, it is still necessary to use hydrated lime at the rate
of 1500 pounds to the acre to control this disease.

10. in fields where vellows has appeared, use seed that is
resistant, as soil end seed treatments will not control this disease,
(From Circular 169, Pa. A^r. Ext. service)

In accordance with a resolution adopted last year by the Penn-
sylvania Vegetable Grov;ers' Association, a series of letters on con-
trol of vegetable diseases has been arranged, and the first and
second of this series are nov/ in the hands of County Agents, for
distribution among growers.

The first letter is general in nature and presents the problems,
suggesting the ways of preventing or controlling disease in vegeta-
bles. All later letters v'ill be nore definite and contain informa-
tion of imriediate value. The second letter, sutiraarizes varietal
resistance to disease of different kinds of vegetables; the third
will be on vegetable seed treatment. Later letters will deal with
the specific diseases of important vegetable crops and with situ-
ations thrit develop during the grov/ing season.

-29-

pyrethruLi, Rote none and Other Non-Poisonous

Insecticides for the Vegetable Grower

R. E. Culbertson
State College, Pa.

■ At the request of secretary Wallace , the National Academy of
qcience has appointed a committee for the purpose of reviewing the
Research program on toxicity of lead and arsenic now under way in
the Food and Vug Administration. An article in the current issue
of public Health Reports discusses spray controlling laws in con-
siderable detail. Thus the matter of producing fruit and vegetables
which are potentially not dangerous to the consumer is again brought
forcibly to our attention,

pure food and public health officials have ruled against the
marketing of fruits and vegetables bearing excessive quantities ol
arsenic, lead, or fluorine. The United States Departaent of Agri-
culture has established thQ following tolerances for spray residues:
lead 0.018 groin Pb per oound; arsenic 0.01 grain AS2O3 per pound;
ana fluorine, 0.01 grain F "oer pound. "In order to meet these
tolerances the grower must either go to the added expense of ^chem-
ically washing his crop or use insecticides of low toxicity to man."

"Colorado and Michigan are the only states which give the
department of health the power to enforce regulations for spray
amounts. • sprayed fruits and vegetables shipped in inter-stete
commerce are subjected to federal inspection but fruits- and vege-
tables sold within the stute where they are grown are without this
safety control." , • - .

Lead poisoning effects the red corpuscle s of the blood. The
blood of normal adults rarely contains more than 1% of red^corpus-
cles that take a basic stain. In workers absorbing lead without
clinical manifestation and in early lead poisoning, the per cent
co'TEnonly ranges from 1.5 to 4.0 with occasional finding up to ^0.

"A case has been reported from California where three dairy
cows becd-me quite sick when fed on alfalfa in a field adjacent to
a field of tomatoes that had been treated with calcium arsenate
by airplane. The cows lopt weight,' fell down in milk production,
and were still below normal weight two months after the first effects
of poisoning were noticed. Thus the factor of effect on livestock
in airplane dusting with arsenical enters the picture."

pyrebhrum is the common name of the Composite, Chrysanthemum
cinerariae folium, a perennial plant whose flower resembles the
c^P'aorrTieT3~ cTaJsy . It is native to Dalnatia and Is the base of
most of the household insecticides such as Flit and Black Flag and
of many agricultural insecticides such as Evergreen, Red Arrow,
Pyrote , etc.

The united States imports annually some 13,000,000 pounds of
dried flowers valued at almost $2,500,000. Ahout 92% of this comes
from Japan end the remainder is imported from Italy, Dalmatia,

'I

•30--
Southern Russia and the Kenya Colony in Africa.

pyrethrura, v^hether in powder or in liquid spray, is very poi-
sonous to insects and cold blooded animals, "^and non-poisonous to man
and other warm blooded animals. It is harmless to plants. It pro-
duces death by the destruction of the cells of the central nervous
system accompanied by paralysis. The toxic principle is absorbed
directl3- through the body integument and very little by penetration
of the spiracles or ingestion through the mouth parts. The toxicity
of pyrethrum flowers is due to Pyrethrin I and P:iT?ethrin II.- They
are commonly spoken of as pyrethrins and ^ood flowers analyze .7 to
1.25^ total pjl-ethrins. • '

Pyrethrum kills both sucking and chevring insects and the extent
of its use depends largely on the correct concentration and the cost.

• ■ The objection to pyrethrum insecticides is that they readily
decompose and lose their toxic properties when exposed to air, heat,
light, alkalies, and inorganic acids. Pyrethrum, however, is quite
stable in petroleum oil. In dust form, if kept in a closed can, it
keeps its effectiveness for a.t least three years.

In using pyrethrura insecticides, it should be remembered that

1. They are applied only for immediate kill.

2. sprays are usually more effective than dusts.

't • •

?• Dusting should be done when ths foliage is dry for greatest
. mortality.

• 4. Control is better at high temperatures.

5. The materials are more toxiq following periods of dry
vv'-eather.

Rote none

Rotenone is a compound derived principally from the roots of
certain fish-poison plants. It i? 30 tisies as toxic as lead arsenate
as a stonach poison to the silk worm, 15 tiioss as toxic as nicotine
upon bean aphids and 25 tiraes as toxic as potassium cyanide to gold
fish; yet it is relatively harmless to birds and mamnial eating it
the strengths generally recommended in insect control practices.
It is used in commercial insecticides intended for use" as flea
powders, fly sprays, and greenhouse and horticultural sprays and

»J LI S u fc> .

J ■

f

^ Rotenone has been found in seven genera of the bean family,
out the chief , source is from Denis elliptica and D. malaccensis,
grown in the East Indies and the Malay peninsula, and from
Ciiocarpus nicou (cube ) - which is native to Peru. Cracca
virginiana (Devil's shoe String), a comiion weed found in the United
States, contains Rotenone and cultural olots have been established
in several of the southern states to determine whether its commer-
cial production is feasible.

-31^

The United states imports about 1,000,000 pounds of Derris and
500,000 pounds of cube annually.

Action of Rotenone; In contrast with pyrethrum which affects the
nervous system, ^e most characteristic effect of rotenone is on
respiration;, death results from respiratory failure.' Action is slow,
requiring at least 48 hours. Rotenone is both a- contact and a
stomach poison, but when used as a stomach poison it -readily decom-
poses when exposed to sunli.^ht. It is destroyed by alkalis and its'^
aqueous, emulsions are unstable. The chemical extract lose their
toxicity faster than does the powder. Furthermore, when applied as
a dust or with the powder in water, more of the adtive principles
are available per unit cost than when a concentrated spray Is
diluted with water.

v . t

In addition to rotenone ,. dei^r is and cub^ contain other con-
stituents such as deguelin, tephrosin, toxicarol, etc. Deguelin and
tephrosin rival nicotine in contact insecticidal action. Therefore,
when you purchase either derris or. cube, the actual killing power is
higher than that indicated by the rotenone content and it is now
customary to express both the percentage of rotenone and total ex-
tractives found in the powcfber.

Derris and cub^ dusts: are very. gene, ally recommended in the
vegetable industry as substitutes foi* arsenical in the control of
bean beetles, cucumber beetles,, cabbage worms, squash vine borers,
etc. It is of interest to- note that;' the corn ear vorm, serious at
times on celery, decidedly does not respond to rotenone compound.

Nicotine: In addition to being a contact insecticide, nicotine is
a distinct stomach poison to many, insects when taken Into the diges-
tive system, one of the principal, difficulties with its use in the
past has been its volatility and lack of adherence to the sprayed
object. Nicotine in its free form disa-opears from snrayed foliage
within a few hours after spraying. Nicotine sulfate^ is not so
volatile but disappears rapidly in an alkaline medium. The dusts
leave more nicotine on the foliage but have not proven satisfactory
as a substitute for arsenicals.

* * •

The use of tannic acid or bentonite together with nicotine -
however, results in an aporeciable amount of the material adhering
to the foliage.

* ' • *

A nevr nicotine oil spray that is claimed to kill all insect
pests of gardening fruit and vegetable crops has recently been an-
nounced by the E.xperiment Station at the University of Kentucky.
It is both a contact and stomach poison and is applied as a mist
or fog. The oil is highly refined and not injurious to foliage.

I

-32-

/

Other Materials:

1, Lauryl rhodanate^ sold under the name ^*Loro^», is reported
as being nore effective than nicotine on some of the more resistant
sucking insects.

2, soybean oil , in combination with oleic acid and ammonia,
has given a 95^0 kill of aphis rumicis.

3, Baricide is satisfactorj'- in the control of the Mexican bean
beetle; it must be remembered, ho'A-ever, that this is a fluorine
compound,

4, Zinc compound. Zinc arsenate is as effective as lead
arsenete m codling moth control and its use at least eliminates

the danger of lead poisoning. Dr. R. C. ^oark,' Chief of the Insecti-
cide Division, u. sV D. A., says "At present we see the inorganic
insecticides, especially arsenical, dominate the market. In the
future we shall see arsenic lead, fluorine, mercury, thallium,
boron, selenium, and other inorganic material largely replaced by
organic products. "•

Methods of solving the Labor Problem

Gilbert S. Watts '.
Bellwood, Pa. .

Speaking as a ve^<etable grov;er I can say that most of us have
complained often about dull markets during the last fev/ years. Now
we are beginning to worr^^ about the availability of labor.- perhaps
there is a relationship that means we will have better markets as
the labor supply diminishes. In looking back through my books the
other day I noted that with one or two exceptions we had our best
profits in the years when we had to pay the highest wages to secure
enough help.

This topic is a difficult one. perhaps the best approach is
to try to set down some of the different means of contending with
the factors of scarcity or costliness of labor.

undoubtedly a most effective means is to secure high yields.
Let us note what a labor cost of $75.00 per acre, not unusual in
producing intensive crops, amounts to per package with varying
yields, v/ith 200 packages per acre the cost is 37igf, with 250 it
is 309^, with 300 it is 25?? and with 500 it drops down to only 15<2f.
High yields provide enough income to earn good wages for the laborer
and a satisfactory profit for the manager. But low yields can not
produce enough net income to content either. Jn addition good crops
attract laborers. Everyone likes to' work iii* bountiful crops, and
this is particulaiiLy true where the pay is on a piece basis.

• 33-

Although there are limitations to its use on the farm piece
work is an Important possibility in certain operations. Very often
it may be the means of enabling workers to earn higher wages and to
do so without increased cost per unit of output. However, piece
work basis of pay must not be looked upon as a means of grinding down
too hard on costs or quality of workmanship will suffer in proportion.
It has been my experience that the piece rate basis is very satis-
factory in harvesting peas, beans and berries and we try to^^idjust
rates from time to time so tlxat the worker who takes time to^ do a
first class job can earn somewhat more than , he would have earned at
his hourly rate. With that set up he makes a little more and our
cost is a little less than with the. hour rate.

saving labor at every possible turn can not be neglected in our
effort, to solve the labor problem. Saving labor may be accomplished
in many connections and time does not permit going into detail.
'About all v/e can do here is to set dD.wn a few of the" categories under
v/hich labor saving activities may be instituted, perhaps we can
employ more direct ways of doing the little things, like bunching .
radishes or carrots, or setting plants.

In many instances more direct vv^ ays of doing the big things may
be deviseii. ' I know we and many other grov/ers have found equally good
results from discing in certain cover crops as compared to plowing
and fitting and drilling in the conventional manner that we use in
planting a crop for grain. High class supervision, able foremen,
is es.sential.to saving 'Of labor'.. A top notch supervisor get results
by teaching his gang, how to do. the job most eaisily and effectively.
Under less capable supervision a 'gang actually may be required to*
work harder with less being accomplished.

saving labor by use of machinery is a subject in itself. We
can not buy every new gadget that comes along but it does pay well
to keep our heads up and our eyes open for the machines that fit our
needs in both the field and the packing room.

One of the greatest savers of labor is to eliminate in so far
as it is possible the great losses of effort that are entailed by
failure. We all have failures that we could have avoided. Failure
on account of poor germination of untested seed, failure because
lime was not applied when needed, failure because seed was not treated,
failure because spraying was not started in time, and many others are

po'ient wasters of labor.

«

Timeliness in plowing or harrowing when the soil is most friable,
timeliness in planting or cultivating at just the right stage, time-
liness in harvesting when little trimming or grading is required both
sive labor and provide the most return for the labor expended.

Percision as exemplified in planting at just the right depth
and rate, in cultivating close to the row and at the most suitable
depth, in adjustment of the sprayer nozzles requires no more labor
than to do these things incorrectly^ and the yield is increased.

( ^

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-34-

Arrangement and length of fields, location of driveways and
the general organization of field work and transportation to and fix)m
the field merit attention. Many growers are finding changes advan-
tageous, particularly in rearranging for tractor farming.

In some cases it nay be necessary in solving the labor problem
to make changes in the kinds or sequences of crops grown. Thus the
labor requirement can be raised or lowered to a considerable degree.
Whereas one grov\er with an abundance of available hand labor may
find it advantageous to increase the crops requiring much hand work
another may profit by growiiig a larger proportion of crops that
require relatively little hand work. Anotl^r point that applies
in many cases is to design the cropping plan to call for a fairly
constant amount of labor from early spring until late fail. After
all this is an individual problem.

• - . . •

• • •■■■■■■■■•#

-O-O'-O-O-O-

• *

If your dues have not been paid for 1937, remember to forward
one dollar to the secre tary- Treasurer , Warren B. Mack, State College
pa., to insure receipt of other issues of the News, and to provide
funds for obtaining the best qualified speakers for the annual
programs. . °- '^/^

PF.TJWSYLVANIA VEGETABLE GROY/ERS» NEWS

Vol. VII

July, 1937

No. 2

Publication of the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers' Association

John M. Will son. Belle Vernon President

A. G. Thompson, Morrisville Vice-President

W. B. Mack, State College Secretary-Treasurer

M

Experiments on Vegetables at State College

This issue of the News is somewhat belated because your
Secretary, who seems unable to induce anyone else to contribute to
the News or to write it for him, has been busy in organizing vegetable
oxperimonts and recording the results. Because these experiments may
bring forth information valuable to vegetable growers, it is in order
to describe some of them, and to state tentatively what the results
of some of them appear to be.

Granulated Fertilizer Tests

A series of tests is being made of granular complete
fertilizer in comparison with ordinary powdered fertilizer of the
same analysis. The experiments are being conducted with different
crops and at different times during the season. The crops being
f/rown are spinach and carrots as representatives of closely spaced
row crops and cabbage and beans of more widely spaced crops. Applica-
tions to the spinach and carrots have boon at the rate of 1000 lb.
per acre of 4-16-4 fertilizer broadcast; to cabbage, 750 lb. of
4.-I6-4. fertilizer per acre, in a band 3 inches from the row; and to
beans, 4.OO lb. of 4-I6-4. per acre, in a band 2^ inches from the row.

f

One test of spinach and a test with cabbage have been completed,
and, though the results have not been compared by statistical pro-
cedures, it appears that both forms of fertilizer arc equally good*

The test with carrots is nearly complete, and that with beans
is just nicely started. So far, both granulated and ordinary forms
appear to be about equal on these crops. A second test with spinach
is contemplated for the fall crop.

Test of Rare Element Mixtures with Cabbage

An experiment is in progress to find out the possible effect
of certain secondary plant-food elements on cabbage which is supplied.
an ample amount of the ordinary plant foods, nitrogen, phosphoric
acid, and potash. A mixture prepared by the American Cyanamid Company,
containing 63 different elements, among them iron, man;,anesc, cliromium,
boron, zinc^ copper, iodine, tin, lithium, barium, strontiiom, and
bromine, is being used. Thirty of the better known ones are contained
in the rdxture in approximately the same proportions as those in
v/hich they have been found by numerous analyses of plant ash, and the
remaining 33, including numerous rare elements such as uranium, radium,
tantalum, and cerium, are present in small amounts considered to be
sufficient that they are not limiting in their effects on growth.

4

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L-Vim^^rs ^^^3.i'«i

•^^-^

il,

••••—.■. . • i ' ' ' o • , • • ^ ■••, ,- • •

— ..... . ., .T'l^.z:'. .\' * »»' • ..

— *•••• .. . . • • , » .

- • ■•" •

The 'cabbage in this experiment is being, cut now; the mixture
of material-s^ appears not to .improye xi^Jds above those^ secured from
well-balanced fertilizers made from the usual commercial materials,
but no conciusfons should be' drawn Until .. all results are complete.

• ■ ' ' • • • ; ■ . ."■'.:■ ■•'■■ ■■-.•.. ' ■ . .

Fertilizer 'Requirements of '.-Truck Crops .

••'•'•••■ . .1^ ■ •• . . , , • . ■

The 4.O8 plots of the- 4ong-tl»e,. fertilizer experiment with
sweet corn, tomatoes, cabbage, and potatoes are planted as usual, and
the crops generally are in-^'excellant condition. This year, before
fertilizers were applied, the acidity in terms of PH and the lime
roquiromGnt of ^ each plot were ascertained, and an amount of ground
.limestone.. equal. tp:^bout four-fifth of. the theoretical tgtal lime,
icquiroraent v/as added. Oiit-of rdato. or commercially;, unavailable'
carriers of plant food, such as dried blood and Thomas slag, have
:;v;en dropped from, the experiment, and new ones, such a$ urea, ammonium
lAiOsphate (Ammo-phos), and a combination of nitratp of soda and tank-
age have been introduced. . . '

Good growth of all crops is in evidence, with all of the new
•litrogen carriers, and the value of proper PH of the 'soil in securing
r^est results fr dm sulfate of ammonia is beginning to appear.

-' • r' . Asparagus Fertilizer Experiments v

• ■

. Experiments w;ith asparagus fertilizers have raised the
question re g^i^dirig the importance df proper placement of phosphorus
nd potaiSh for best results ^ from these, materials, v . •.

.and'. Strain. rTeSts . ^, . .

The jenclosed notice of the, forthcoming Vfegetable Field Day,
which will be; the summer meeting of the Pennsylvania Vegetable Grov/ers'
Association', tolls' how many'diffcsrent strains and varieties of each
kind of vegetable will be seen on August '20. -No mention is 'made of,
trials of 3.2., stra^Lns of lettuce, in addition to a largo number of
crosses and selections, 63 strains of peas, 3i4 strains- of radishes,
and 26 0;f spiiia.chj Y/hich have already been completed.- •

* • - ■•....••. .. •• ; ... . • . . • .* i ■

. • • *- . ■ . * •

In the radish trials, strains of Saxa, Scarlet Globe, Comet,
Cavalier, and Glowing Ball appeared to good advantage* Scarlet Globe
and Glov/ing Ball in ^enferai- had aomewhat larger, tops than the others,
but the roots of the gobd strains of these varieties differed little ^
in size and shape. Glowing- Ball has ^. very attractive, .bright scarlet
color. . ^ ' '-' ' ■■' ■•:'•■..: I ..:.•.' .

• i.

Among spinach 'strains which were '.especially promising were
Dark Green'Bloomsdale' and'- several strains of Juliana. ; Juliana and' '
Slimmer Savoy were 'more longstanding' than* other, varieties.

' AiTiong conimerclai'let'tuce strains-^: nonei excelled Nev; York No. 12
and New York. No. 515, among the crisp .heading types .

.•>

( Dark Podded* Thoracis Laxtoh:> Superlaska, Perfection, Laxton

Progress, Alderman,. Ace, VViscbhsin Early Sweet, Gradahy Asgrow #80,
Mardelah, Canner King, Clim:ax^» and Surprise v/ere among the higher
yielding strains, in trials planted In the usual manner for canning

-3-

. » *■

'-r

J V

peas* Statistics on .weight of shel peas per acre., weight of peas _
per 100 pods,' siz^s iOf ;peas>/;height of vine, colop. of. pod&.and peaa, .
and freedom from diseases and Insects are beiiig : compiled from ;th^ ;.
results of the tests.

Summer Meeting of the Association August 20

Plan to attend the Simmer Meeting of the Pennsylvania Vegetable
Grower 3' Association, In connection with the Vegtetable Pl6ld Day at
State College, for which an invitation is enclosed herewith* This
ists all of the interesting tests which may be seen. A visit to
'.jiese trials may make you acquainted with a half-dozen or more
varieties which wiijLl exactly suit your requirements, and with methods
v.f culture which will save you money and labor*

State College is located amid some of the most beautiful
cenery of the State. Picnic facilities are present on the campus
and in nearby woods and moiintains. Go on a picnic which will pay in
information as well as relaxationl

Research and College Relations Committee

In accof dance with a resolution passed at the meeting In
last January at Harrisburg, President John M. Wlllson appointed
Gilbert S. Watts of Bellwood, and A. C. Thompson of Morrisville, to
serve with him on the Committee on Research and Relations with the
Agricultural Experiment Station. A movement is now in progress to
anlarge this committee, and to make it also an Advisory Committee of
the Agricultural Experiment Station for the vegetable industry.
Further announcements will be made as progress is made on this matter.

To make these committees effective, send your suggestions of
important subjects for research to members of the committee or to the
Secretary. All suggestions will be welcome. If your most urgent
questions are to be answered, they must be askedl

Rotenone Dusts

Your Secretary has compiled a partial list of firms which
sell rotenone dusts. These are being ir/ldely recommended as all-around
insecticides which leave no poison residue on vegetables, but many
growers are unable to purchase them in their local markets. If you
want this list, send a post-card to the Secretary.

Many persons have the Impression that rotenone is non-poisonous
to warm-blooded animals. This is not altogether accurate. The
toxicity of rotenone, which is the active Insecticldal principle of
derrls dusts and sprays and which Is present in the ordinary ready-
mixed dusts to the extent of from one-half to one percent, has been
found to be about two-fifths of that of pure nicotine, in experimehts
in which these materials were fed to rats or cats as test animals.
The miniomum dose of nicotine required to kill cats was .01 gram per
kilogram of body v/eight; that of rotenone reqiiired to kill rats was
• 025 gram per kilogram of body weight, or 2^ t;Lmes as much.

I

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/•

IRREGULAR PAGINATION

1-

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I i

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Neither nicotine nor rotenone, however, leave any poison
residue on vegetables after a few days, becaixse for former evaporates,
and the latter is rendered inactive after four or five days^
exposure to air and light*

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PENNSYLVANIA VEGETABLE GROWERS^ NSWS

volume 711

Octobet, 1937

No. 3

publication of the Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers^ Association

J-ohn M. Willson, Belle Vernon president

A. C. Thompson, Morrisville - Vice- president

W. B- Mack, State College Secretary- Treasurer

i

suggestions Wanted

The program Committee {mos H. Funk, Millersville ; A- C.
Thompson, King Farms Co., Morrisville; H. S. Mills, Box 358,
Bristol; J, M. Huffington, state College ; and the secretary ex
officio) is faced with its annual- job of arranging a program for
the Annual Meeting at Harrishurg< in January, which will answer as
many as possible of the question^ uppermost in growers' minds, or
v^ioh may become uppermost during the next year. The members of
the Committee have some ideas, but more are needed to make the best
possible Tjrogram, send your suggestions of subjects and speakers
tc any member of the Committee, and he will pass them on to the
vSocretary; or, send them directly to the secretary.

Dr. Grant B. Snyder, Head of the Department of Vegetable
Gardening at the Massachusetts State College, has been secured as
judge of the vegetable exhibit in the Farm show. He has studied
the culture of market tomatoes on stakes, a method which is in-
creasing in popularity in New England, end has conducted other
studies on varieties and culture methods. He will present one or
two talks which should be interesting and instructive.

The program will have to be prepared soon, to be included in
the General program of the Farm Show.

PLEASE SEND YOUR SUGGESTIONS AT ONCE!

Liming Vegetable Soils

our friend, Professor J. W. (Jack) White has stated that
farmers of Pennsylvania on the average are applying only about
one-half as much lime as they might use profitably. To secure best
results from lime, it must be applied in the amounts required, as
indicated by tests of the soil.

When the results of tests are stated in terms of pounds to ^
the acre, the problem is solved in a general way. Certain crops,
however, are known to thrive better on soils which are not abso-
lutely neutral, some requiring distinctly acid soils and others
s omewh at alka 1 i ne ,

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When soil acidity is measured in terms of pH, either test
amplications must be made and the results determined by later pH
measurements, or a scale of lime requirements for different pH
values must he made for a particular soil. For general guidance,
such a scale has been made in tabular form by Dr. M. F* Morgan,
Chief Agronomist of the Connecticut Agricultmal Experiment Station,
and has been presented in The Fertilizer Review, a publication of
the National Fertilizer Association. Dr. Morgan has shov/n graphi-
cally the best pH range for the common crops, and a part of his
chart including the common vegetables, together with the amount
of lime to secure the desired pH on various soils, v/ith different
pH values before treatment.

The table and chart are used as illustreted by the following
example: If your soil is a medium loam with medium organic content
and with a pH of 5.2, and it is desired to grov/ sweet corn on it,
vvhich requires for best growth a pH range from about 5.6 to 6.5,
or about 6.0 on the average, the amount of ground limestone to
use will be found in the middle section of the table, ^^Desired
pH 6.0, under Soil Group 3, and in the line with 5.2 as the ^'pH
of soil tested," or 1.7 tons to the acre.

The table and chart just described will be found on
pages 6 and 7.

Growing Vegetables in Nutrient solutions

(*^Soilless Agriculture^^)

While we do not think that vegetable growers on truck fanas
need worry about competition of corporation farmers, who grow vege-
tables in tanks of water containing chemical solutions in the open,
the fear has already been expressed by greenhouse vegetable growers
that promoters may secure financial backing for tank culture of
tomatoes, cucumbers, etc., in greenhouses, and may flood the mar-
kets for greenhouse products. This fear may be ill-founded; if it
actu«Llly bee ernes cheaper to grow greenhouse tomatoes in liquid
culture, there should be no reason why greenhouse growers already
in the business could not change their methods to the new and
improved ones.

As a matter of fact, most of the concern about taak eigricul-
ture has been displayed by the general public, by amateur gardeners,
and by high school biology students. Because of widespread public
ihterest, however, as shown by numerous inquiries received by
agricultural experiment stations, colleges, etc., we are including
in the News a brief review of the subject, prepared by your
/ secretary.

/

•3-

NUTRIENT SOLUTION CULTURE OF VEGETABLES

'J

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Warren B. Mack

Ah experiment which is now considered a classic in the study of
plant nutrition was conducted by Van Helmont, who lived from 1577 to
16M« He grev/ a willow branch of which the original weight was 5
pounds in a tub containing 200 poun<is of soil, watered the branch
with rain water, and fo\ind that the rooted branch at the end of 5
years weighed 162^ pounds, v/hile the soil had lost only tv;o ounces in
weight. Van Helmont concluded incorrectly that the dry matter of
the branch and of the leaves which it had produced came almost
entirely from Water; if he had said that most of it did not come
from the soil, he would have been correct.

He did not suspect, of course, that a considerable proportion
of the dry matter of the willow branch was from the air. This fact
was established by J. Senebier about 150 years later, in 1782; this
investigator found that carbon dioxide was assimilated by green
Giants in sunlight, snd that thisi assimilation was a nutritive
process, because the plant gained in dry weight as a result of it.
Van Helmont must be credited with the discovery that very little of
the dry weight of plants actually comes from the soil. Stephen
Hales, an English physiologist and inventor, made observations in
1727 that plants obtain some nourishment from the air* It remained
for Senebier, hov/evcr, to establish this fact quantitatively. •

It is doubtful that the discovery cm be credited to one person
that plants could be gro\vn without soil, simply by placing their
roots in a solution of mineral salts and nitrogen compounds. VJater-
culture was practiced at least 238 years ago, and probably before
that time. John Woodward, an English botanist, reported the culture of
spearmint, potatoes, rmd vetch in spring and river • .alter in 1699,
and also used solutions of inorganic salts. This method, of plant
culture v/as revived by Julius von Sachs, a German botanist and plant
physiologist who lived from ia32 to 1897, for the purpose of studying
the nutrition of planti^*- Sachs said in his Lessons on Plant Phys-
iology, written in 1882, ^^In the year 1S60 I published the results of
investigations which demonstrated that land plants* could obtrin their
nourishment from xvater solutions without the help of soil, and thPt
it is possible in this way not only to maintain plants alive and
growing for n long time, but to obtain a considerable increase in
their organic substance ajid at the same time to produce viable seeds."
Wilhelm Knop , another German physiologist, and Nobbe rlso pursued
this kind of study, rnd oublished an extensive report of experiments
in 1868. The las* two investigators are noted for their perfecting
of a four-srlt solution in which it was possible to grow plants
successfully, the so-called iinop's solution, consisting of one part
each of potassium nitrate, potr.ssium diphosphate, and magnesium
sulfate, and four parts of calcium nitrate, in a 0.1 to 0.5 percent
solution in water, vith a trnce of ferric phosphate.

S.

0 Since Knopfs ti:iie, the \is
generrlly rccepted method for s
this country, M. E. Tottinghrm
Shive of Rutgers University,
-^nd Vv', F. Qericke of the Unlver
for their studies of nutrient 3
of the most notev/orthy of their
Laborrtory of Plant Physiology

e of nutrient solutions hrs been a ^
tudying the nutrition of plants. In
of the University of Vvisconsin, J. V/.

F. Trele£'se of Coliimbir University,
Sity of California have become noted
olution culture of plants, and some

studies have been crrriod out in the-
of the Jolins Hopkins University, under

\

IRREGULAR PAGINATION

i)

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f

the direction of Dr. Burton E. Livingston. In 1918, a committee of
the National Research Council under the direction of Dr. Livingston
organized a cooperative study of nutrient solution cultures on a
nation-v/ide basis, which was to be carried out under a coordinated
plan by colleges, universities, and experiment stations throughout
the United States. . .

• «, fc^'

I i

A modification of the solution-culture method for the study of
plant nutrition has been used widely during the present century.
This method is the introduction of washed quartz sand, into v/hich
the solutions are introduced just as water woxild be applied to soil,
for the purpose of duplicating more closely the conditions of
aeration and capillarity found in soils. The method was first
developed by Hellriegel, a German plant physiologist, in 1888.

The commercial production of crop plants in nutrient-solution
cultures is a development of the past few years. Investigations on
the coimnercial production of cut-flowers v/ere begun at Rutcers
University in 1929, when carnations v;ere grown in sand cultures by
Biekart and Connors. Their studies were reported in Bulletin 588
of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, published in
1935. In this report, it is shovm that carnations can be grown in
nutrient solutions at a cost closely comparable with that of soil
culture in the greenhouse. Several solutions were used, but the
most practical one 'vas made of 112 grams of ammonium sulfate, 210
grams of monopotassium phosphate, 420 grams of magnesium sulfate,
and 1800 grams of calcium nitrate in 185 gallons of tap water.

The widespread interest shown in nutrient-solution cultures
originated with the publication in 1936 of an article by '.* F.
Gericke and J. R. Tavernetti in Agricultural Engineering, Volume 17,
pages 14.1 c.nd 14-2, entitled Heating of liquid culture media for
tomato production. These investigators described an experiment in
which tomatoes v/ere grown in tanlts 2| feet wide, 10 feet long, and
8 inches deep, filled with nutrient solution and covered with
wooden frames supporting poultry wire on which excelsior and sawdust
were spread. The composition of the culture solution was not f-- ^
specified, but it may be assumed that it '..as not widely different
from those in general use. Temperatures were maintained by means of
General Electric heating cables, at 70-75 and 80-85 degrees F. in
different tanks, and best yields were obtained v;ith one vt-riety of
tomato. Majestic, at the higher temperature, but vith the other. Best
of All, at the lower temperature. The maximum yield for a single
tank, computed on an acre basis, allowing no space for paths, etc.,
between tanks, was 306.8 tons of tomatoes per acre* Maximum elec-
trical current consumption was A28 kilowatt hours per tank for a 5-h
months' period.

-♦ r>

This publication aroused wide interest, and poDUlar articles
u^rl t ^^^-Ject have appeared in a great variety of publications: Time,
Market Growers' Journal, Pacific Rural Press, Scientific American,
Popular t^cionce. Electrical West, Christian Science Monitor, Aiuerican
i-ertilizer. Business Week, Food Industries, Christian Century, and
practically all the dt'ily papers. "buiy.

In p«i??!^nn^^^^-^ installations have been made in several greenhouses
in California, and one, that of Vetterle and Rcinert, at Capitola.
California, has been reported to have produced a crop at a cost

-5-

H

comparable to that of greenhouse tomatoes by older methods. In
80 X 200 ft, house, electrical current consumption has been an
average of 30,000 kilowatt hours per month*

one

cT"^ y^

A modification of th e earlier method of heating by means of
electric cables has been devised in one establishment, in which
the nutrient solution is circulated through a boiler, aid combines
a hot-v/ater heating system with the nutrition of the cropt

Some of the methods in use are the following;

Gericke Method. Tanks are made of wood or concrete, about 2^
feet wide ,10 feet long, and one foot deep, v/lth wooden racks with
poultry wire bott>oms containing about 4 inches of excelsior,
shavings, or sawdust to support the plants, which are trained upon
wire and twine trellises* Fresh solutions are supplied every two
weeks. Dr. Gericke has not published the formula for his most
successful solutions, though he has secured a patent on one formula
found by certain investigators not to be particularly valuable.

Withrow Method. This is one of the most successful methods,
and has been found fully practical for growing vegetable and flower
plants for trarvsplanting into the field. It has been developed by
Mr. R. B% Withrow of Purdue University. Tanks are made of wpod,
about the same as greenhouse benches, but they are made water-tight
by sealing with petroleum asphalt free of injurious substances.
These tanks are filled with coarse gravel which has been treated
v^ith hot water or other material to sterilize it, and this is
flooded about 3 times a day with the nutrient solution. The
flooding is done by means of an electrically operated pump, from
a cistern or tank reservoir below the level of the tank.

• ^

Wi throw's formula is as follows, for 1000 gallons of solution:
sulfate of potash, 42 oz.; anhydron$ magnesium sulfate, 18 oz., or
epsom salt, 36 oz.; monocalcium phosphate, with less than one per
cent fluorine, 28 oz.; potassium nitrate (saltpeter), 92 oz.; sul-
fate of ammonia, 30 oz.; and calcium sulfate (agricultural gypsum
or land plaster) 212 ozt ?,<>

Be sure to send your program suggestions!

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A Table showing suggested Lime Application to Adjust Soils

to Various pH Levels

Based on Use of Limestone, Broadcast, and Worked Into Soil to Plow

Depth- — Tons Per Acre

i t

1 i

SOIL GROUP
2

SOIL GROUP
3

Sandy soils
High OM*

SOIL GROUP

1

Sandy soils Loamy soils
Medium OM* Medi\am OM*

I

pH of soil
as tested!

Sandy soils Loamy soils
Low OM* Low OM*

Clay soils
Low OM*

SOIL GROUP
4

Loamy soils
High OM*

Clay soils
Medium OM*

Desired

PH

6.6

6.0

' 0.4

0.7

1.0

1.3

5.8

0.6

1.1

1.4,

1.9

5.6

0.8

1.3

1.8

2.5

5.4

1.0

1.6

2.2

3.1

5.2

1.2

1.9

2.6

3.7 .

5.0

1.4

2.1

2.9

4.2

4.8

1.6

. 2.3

3.2

4.6

4.6

*

1.8

• 2.5

3.5

5.0

r

»

• "*■

Desired

TOH

6.0

5.6

0.3

0.6

0.9

1.2

5.4

0.5

0.9

1.3

1.8

5.2

0.7

1.2

1.7

2.4

5.0

0.9

1.5

2.1

3.0

4.8

1.1

1.8

2.5

3.5

4.6

1.3

2.1

2.8

4.1

4.4

1.5

2.2

3.1

4.5

4.2

1.7

2.4

3.4

4.9

Desired

T)H

5.4

♦ '

5.0

0.2

0.5

0.8

1.1

4.8

0.4

0.8

1.2

1.7

4.6

0.6

1.1

1.6

2.3

4.4

0.8

1.4

2.0

2.9

4.2

1*0

1.7

2.4

3.5

4.0

1.2

1.9

2.7

4.0

3.8

1.4

2.1

' 3.0

4.4

I Based on pH in early spring or late fall. For summer tests,
add 0.5 pH for Soil Group 1 - to nH as tested before using
0.4 " ♦• " " 2 ' table.

0.3 ♦' " * •» 3

0.2 »• " •• w 4

OM - Organic matter content.

From The Fertilizer Review

-7-

MINBIUI.: -^H AND DESIRABLE pH RAITGE FOR

NE'ff ENGLAND CROPS

Arranged by M. F. Morgan.

CROPS

vegetables

Asparagus

Spinach

Lettuce

celery

Hadish

onion

Beet, Garden

cauliflower

Broccoli

Ca"'obage

Bi'ussel sprouts

pea, Garden

Cucumber

Muskmelon

Rhub arb

Carr ot

Beans, Li^na

Beans, Grarden

corn, sweet

Endive

Parsnip

Pumpkin

squash

Peppers, Sweet

Rutabaga

Turnip

Tomato

Eggplant

strawberry

Potatoes , sweet

Watermelon

vE RANGE
5.0 5.5 6,0

6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0

,1,

Minimum pH.
Desirable pH Range

"^Maximum pH limit

for disease control.
Prepared by
The National Fertilizer Assn.

*Editor*s Note: The nH scale is used for measuring both
acidity and olkalinity. It contains 14 divisions known at pH
units. It is centered around pH 7 which is neutral. Values from
7 dov.'n to zero constitute the acid range and from 7 to 14 the
alkaline range. Very few soils have pH value below 4 or above 8.
Mch.-Apr. 1937 Fert. Review.

*

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PENNSYLVANIA VEGETA3IE QRO^VEHS^ N5WS

Volume VII

December, 1937

No. 4

program for Pennsylvania Vegetable Growers^ Associetion-

Tuesday and Wednesday, tTanuery 18 and 19
Farm show Building, Harrisburg

Tuesday, January 18

m

Forenoon - president John M. Willson, Chairman

9:30 A.M.

9:50 A.M.

10:10 A.::.

11:00 A.K,

Recent developments in applicatioh of power equipment to
vegetable production.

D. C. Sprague, Department of Agricultural

Engineering, State College, Pa.

Improvements in vegetable fertilizers.

Warren B. Mack, Professor of Vegetable Gardening,
State college, Pa.

Handling vegetables for market in Massachusetts.

professor Grant B. Snyder, Head of Department of
vegetable Gardening, Massachusetts State College,
Amherst, Mass.

Market preferences in vegetables.

professor Paul Work, Professor of Vegetable Crops,
Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y.

Afternoon - President John M. V/illson, Chairman
1:15 P.M. Annual Business Meeting.

1:45 p.r.

2:30 P.M.

3:15 P.M.

3:30 P.M.

Staked tomato culture.

professor Grant B. Snyder, Amherst, Mass.

Improvements in vegetable varieties.

professor Paul Work, Ithaca, N. Y.

• «

Green manures for vegetable growing. (Movies)

J. U. Huffington, State College, Pa.

Simple means of reducing soil losses on vegetable farms.

F. G. Bamer, Extension Specialist in Agronomy,
State college, Pa.

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Wednesday, Janurry 19

I: I

Forenoon - A. C. Thonnson, Vice President, Chairman.

9:15 A.M.

10:00 A.M.

Discoveries in vegetable disease control in 1937. (llovles)

0. D. Burke, plant Disease Extension specialist,
State College, Pa.

Discoveries in vegetable insect control in 1937. (lloyies)

J. 0. Pepoer, Entonology Extension specislist,
State College, Pa.

10-45 A.M. Growing and marketing vegetables in the Pittsburgh area.

John M. V/illson, Belle Vernon, Pa.

11 "15 A.M. iranroved methods in plant growing. (Hovfes)

• ^ ' w. B-. ITissley, Vegetable Grrdening Extension

specialist, state College, Pp.

Afternoon - Harry W. Huf f nagle , Cheirman of Pennsylvania

Ten-Ton Tonato Club, Chairman

1:15 P.M. presentation of prizes and certificates to Pennsylvania

men-Ton Tomato Club winners.

president John M. V.'illson, Belle Vernon, and
Harry W. Huff nagle.

2:00 P.M.

2:30 P.M.

1i

3:00 P.M.

\i

3:30 P.M.

culture methods for high yields of canning crops. ^

J, 1!. HuffingtoH, vegetable Gardening Extension
specialist. State College, pa.

Labor and cesh requirements tor producing tonatoes, peas,

and sweet corn. ^ „ ^

Fonroe J. Ames , Farm Management Extension

specialist, State College, Pa.

possibilities in growing vegetables for quick freezing

in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Frank APP, Manager, seabrook Farms,

Bridgeton, N. J".

variety trials of tomatoes, peas, and sweet corn in 1937.
E. M. Rahn, Division of vegetable Gardening,
State College, Pa.

FERTILIZING VEGETABLE CROPS IN PENNSYLVANIA T

Vegetable crops are grovm on a wide range of soil types in Pennsylvania,
but most of the truck crops which constitute the greater part of the
commercial output are produced on loams, silt loams, or clay loams. A
few of the market-garden crops on the Delaware river first terrace soils
are gro\7n under soil and climatic conditions v/hich are similar to those
in New Jers^, and the same fertilizer practices may be followed in
these limited areas. For most of the vegetable production of Pennsyl-
vania, however, the quantities and analyses of fertilizers should be
somewhat different from those of the seaboard states, ana shoula be more
like those of New York or Ohio.

Analyses should vary somewhat for different crops and soil types; the
peneral relations betvveen fertilizer analysis and either soil type or
kind of vegetables are well known, however, and need not be discussed at
this time.

The relative values of the different plant food elements are established
best by field tests, and where experimental evidence is at hand, it
should provide the basis for any discussion of fertilizer practices.
The following table is presented, therefore, which summarizes certain
results of field experiments in progress since 1917, on Hagerstown clay
loam soil at State College, Pennsylvania. These results, because in
many respects they confirm those of field tests on soils of similar
texture in Nev; York and Ohio, may be considered as representing approx-
imately the effects of the different plant food elements on the heavier
soil types of this state, on v;hich most of the truck crops are grown.

TABLE 1. RESULTS OF FERTILIZER EXPERIMENTS 1917 - 1935.

-■i'^r THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE COLLEGE

Yields per Acre

S^TilET CORN TOMATOES POTATOES
Doz. Tons Tons Bushels

t

N

1/2 N in row

P

1/2 P in row

K

NP

1/2 (NP) in ro\?

NK

1/2 (NK) in row

PK

1/2 (PK) in row

NPK

N/2 PK + N/2

1/2 (NPK) in row

N/2 PK

NPK

3N/2 PK

l/2(3N/2 PK) in Tox:

N P/2 K

NPK

N 3P/2 K

1/2 (N 3P/2 K) in row

792

1.42

6.2

1088

2.79

9.6

867

1.67

9.5

927

2.08

8.2

750

1.28

6.0

1104

2.67

12.0

1026

2.62

10.6

993

2.09

8.0

1031

2.49

9.8

973

2.36

12.4

892

2.11

9.4

1188

3.33

15.3

1163

3.24

16.0

1003

2.52

10.7

892

2.21

12.9

1000

2.61 -

14.2

1033

2.84

13.7

982

2.25

10.3

942

2.33

14.1

1092

2.87

14.8

1150

3.20

17.9

1052

2.66

11.7

94
141

110
130
90
128
145
124
151
167
146
192
190
140
158
166
171

151
177
208
212
164

CABBAGE
Tons

3.1

10.2

8.0

8.7

4.0
13.3
11.3

7.0

10.4
11.6

9.2
14.9
15.3
11.4
11.5
13.6
13.2
11.6
10.8

13.1
14.3
12.6

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TABLE I. RESULTo OF FERTILIZER EXPERLVIENTS 1917-1935 - CONT'D.

*■

Yields per A

ere

SWEET

CORN

TOMATOES

POTATOES

CABBAGE

A

Doz.

Tons

Tons

•

Bushels

tons

NPK/2

1046

2.78

14.5

187

12.6

NPK

1025

2.72

14.1

191

11.4

NP 3K/2

1071

2.71

13.7

146

13.0

•1/2(NP 3K/2) in row

1008

2.42

10.8

160

11.2

1/2 (nPK)
3/2 (NPK)

971

2.54

10.7

147

9.4

1050

2.69

14.8

179

12.7

2 (NPK)

1000

2.55

15.8 '

AC 154

13.8

NPK in row

996

2.64

11.2

158

12.3

SODIUM NITRATE + P

1104

2.67

12.0

128

13.3

AMiJONIUM SULFATE + P

998

2.54

11.4

139

11.8

SODIUM NITRATE + PK

1225

3.36

16.9

199

14.5

A;.GiONIUM SULFATE + PK

883

2.27

9.9

149

10.6

DRIED BLOOD + PK

992

2.46

11.9

149

11.1

TANKAGE + PK

1000

2.48

12.6

187

11.8

CALCIUM NITRATE + PK

1233

3.43

16.0

220

14.4

CYANAMID + PK

1167

3*34

16.6

162

13.4

SUPERPHOSPHATE + NK

1208

3.26

16.8

198

14.1

BONE MEAL + NK

1192

2.91

15.5

204

11.8

ROCK PHOSPHATE + NK

1025

2.15

10.5

141

9.5

MURIATE OF POTASH + NP

1175

2.81

14.6

183

11.3

SULFATE OF POTASH + NP

1067

2.74

14.3

172

11.1

20 TONS IJaNURE

1181

3.64

20.4

250

14.9

30 TONS MITORE

1167

3.66

22.2

270

16.2

40 TONS MANURE

1229

3.57

22.1

250

16.9

10 TONS MANURE + NPK

1067

2.95

17.8

200

14.1 •

RYE & VETCH COVFR + NPK

973

2.50

- 13 . 4

165

12.9

s

weet

In this table, the letters, N, P. and K represent 60 lb* of nitrogen,
100 lb. of phosphoric acid (P2O5J, and 80 lb* of potash (K2O) per acre,
from nitrate of soda, 16^ superphosphate, and muriate of potash,
respectively. Unless otherwise specified, the other carriers of the
different plant food elements supplied the same amounts of the
respective elements. All applications were broadcast by hand and
harrowed into the soil before the crops were planted. Crops v:ere
grovm in a four -year rotation of cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, and
corn, in the order named, during the last nine years; before this,
v/heat followed by clover and timothy occupied the position of the sweet
corn in the rotation as stated. All treatments were duplicated except
the qomparisons of the different plant-food carriers.

The row applications were begun five years ago, on plots which pre-
viously had been fertilized uniformly with 250 lb. of nitrate of soda
and 625 lb. of 16^ superphosphate per acre. In the cases in which the
row applications produced a greater yield than did tv.ice as much of the
same plant food broadcast, it is likely that some of the effect is due
to residual effects of this fertilization. Ro\; applications vvere made
in bands alongside the rows of sweet corn and potatoes; for cabbage
they were mixed in the row, and for tomatoes, they v;ere applied in a
circular trench around the plant.

It may be seen that phosphoric acid is the most important plant-food
element for all ci^ops; potash is next, except with cabbage and sweet con
The addition of each element to the other tv:o increases the yields of

m

-«ri,io-5n<r thP nitroeen of the standard complete fertilizer
?SpKf SK ine-hiS^lduoed the ?!eld of all crops and increasing it

fertilizer vrere variable and inconsistent.

Tho yields on the different NPK plots vary somev;hat, as night be
pxpefted. ■ Comparisons should be made between each NPK plot and the
plots under other treatment which are nearest it. -

organic nitrogen carriers arc not so effective as the lnorganlc_^«
except a-moniuB sulfate for ^lJ/^^°P^'^*|^t ammonium sulfate.. The
?.??2c\ ol aSmoflSi sSifa?f ?s'dlfflcuit to understand bemuse in oom-

nitrate oi ^o^<i., uu\. ±ii^^ ^v^Ari mrnt is less favorable to yield

T,nt?«;h ammonixim sulfate in tins experxflicnu i& xco^j j-t^^vv/

S£L"Se1nliSporfhSspfaJS^??peLr

of increasing them, eatcept v.dth potatoes. ,

^nnP mpal is not particularly different from superphosphate, and
sS?fa?e of po?ash'^Is a little less effective than is muriate, although
the difference is probably insignificant. {

The effectiveness of heavy applications ^f^^^f.! ^^^^^^ °J?P! J^^lhL
evident, though 30 tons per acre are a more efiective application tnan

are 4.O tons . ; , '. •

i

i

!

Method of Ar)plication

A comparison of ro'^ applications of c°«Pi^^%^^J^iii^f?J^St?e?ireat-
cast apTDlications tvice as great shows that in f J^f ?J;^^^J,/^"|?^entr
inents produced the greater yields. The yields from the row treatments
ivere satisfactory, however, and very likely were profitable.

In t"his connection,' it is interesting that two separate tests in 1935
of applications in bands alongside the row, mixed with ^oil in the row,
and broadcast with spinach, carrots, and ^e^*^' Jf ^"^^^/gf JlJgf ^^stt
which were considerably different in tne ^''^^^.^^f J-..^Soisture best
made in earlv May on soil that was well supplied \.ith ^o^^ture, oest
results wSe'^obtained from the fertilizers mixed ^.ith the soil in ohe
row; in the second, which v.as made with beets only ^^ J^^.^^^^'Xtreat-
•.hich beca;::G rather dry soon after the seed was planted the band treat
ments produced best stands a.nd yields; Evidently the condition ol tne
soil and p,:.ssibly the temperature have an Influence upon the relative
effectiveness of different application methoas. ;

!'■■ I

f

!?

N

I

ri

I

i

Rare Elements

I

1

A

Only a few tests of rare elements have been made at the Pennsylvania
State College. Tests in 1930 with manganese sulfa.e-n turnips and
spinach showed no visible responses for these elements on the crops
Studied.

The relations among fertilizers, soil acidity and treatment with pot-
ascium iodide on yield and iodine content of certain vegetables,

'IKta

UMUMWMAi

1? i'

J:

I!

i

m

togotlier vrith the iodine content of Pennsylvania canning vegetables, .
v;ere studied by Mr. Eugene P. Brasher at the Pennsylvania State College
in 1931 and 1932.

The results of these studies, soon to be published in detail in the
Journal of Agricultural Research, showed no consistent relationship
between fertilizer treatment and iodine content of truck crops. The
effects of soil acidity and treatment \/ith potassium iodiue (about 5
lb. per acre) on yield and iodine content of beans and turnips are
shovai in the accompanying tables.

TABLE 2. RELATION OF SOIL PH AND FERTILIZER TREAT^ffiNT TO THE IODINE

CONTENT OF TRUCK CROPS.

POTATOES

Fertilizor
Treatment Plot
Lb. per Acre
625 Super- 1-8

phosphate 4--10
167 Muriate

of Potash Ave

600 Nitrate5-15

of Soda

625 Super-
phosphate

167 Muriate of
Potash

400 Nitr-ite 1-7
of Soda

167 Muriate>4-ll
of Potash Ave.

400/ Nitrate
of Coda 5-10

Iodine

H

o

CO

Cm
O

6.60
6.94

6.77
6.30

G

a

O

en

>^ !

4*4 46
3.9 |4S

XI
CO

.

a,

.

4.2

2.8

933 buper-

phosphata I

167 Muri.ite '
of Potash I

400 Nitrate 1-6 ' ""
of Soda

625 Super-
phosphate 4-12

Ave.

40C Nitrate
of Soda 2-12

625 Super-
phosphate

250 Muriatt of Potish

6.51

6.42
6.47

2.7

3.9
3.3

47
55

u

Q

.
a,

180

''10

195
220

I

60 ; 240

50
55

200

!220

6.80 15.7 41 M-90

6.55

6.66
6.61

6.55

4.3

51

2.9

3.6

4.5

40
45.5

93

200

150
175

410

TOIiATOES

•H
O

CO

o

PL,

6.60
6.73

6.67
6.30

7.30

6.77
7.04

u

J)

O

r-i

O

•H

13.4

10.2

11.8

14.7

11.1

8.1
9.6

6.59il3.2

7.52! 17.1

6.87' 13.8
15.5

6.28

I

17.5

lodino

4^

.

a.

.

16
8

12
8

19

12
15.5

14

17
15.5

8

.

a.

230
240

235
170

250

220
235

150

300

370
335

160

SV/EST CORN

•H

O

CO

<H

o

a,

6.57
5.96

6.27
6.67

u
o

in
o

rH

CU

•H

2.7
3.9

3.3
3.8

6.59

6.09
6.34

6.74

5.85

6.68
6.27

2.4

2.4
2.4

4.8

3.1

3.8
3.5

6. 731 3.2

Iodine

Si

o
u

CU

.

CU

24

25

24.5

73

37

24
30.5

50

33

23
28

30

4.^

(U

90
100

95
250

140

120
130

190

120

90
105

100

^

TABLE 3. EFFECT OF SOIL ACIDITY AND FERTILIZATION WITH Kl ON THE

YIELD AND IODINE CONTENT OF BEANS AND TURNIPS.

pH of Soil

Beans
Iodine

Turnips

Iodine

-.1

■.-;i

r~i -a
« a)

8.34
8.34
8.33

8.33
7.61
7.61
6.12
6.12
5.92
5-92

^-p

O 'A
CD U

8.23
8.23
8.16
8.1s
7.60
7.60

5.85
5.85
4.95
4.95

o

•H O

■d CU

rH

4->

C4^

a, 0;

PU [X4

.-P

6.75
8.20

3.85
6.23

2.33
4.68

2.43
3.58
1.21

4* 24

73

26

84
37

71
26
56

45

122

54

730
280

1170
510
750
260
570
490

1410
630

37.55
32 . 12

27.13

25.99
22.50
21.64
9.39
7.71
7.63
7.03

9496

79
5692

85

2044
180

2607

209
2148

191

94960

740

5I4VO

850

19540
1590

24140
2080

21140
1910

Plot

lA

U

2A

2B

3A

3B

4A

4B

5A

5B

These data indicate a complex relationship in which soil acidity and
the nature of the plant '.vere conditions influencing grovvtn and iodine
content; other studies in 1933 indicated that climate or season also
i'lfluencec these characteristics of the crops. The data are mtro-
cuced ber<^ to illustrate the general circxirastances relating to the
rare elements, namely that the conditions which govern the effects of
any of these substances are numerous and their relations to yield ana
composition of plants are complex and to a great extent unknown.

Experiments in 1937 on minor elements included a test on early cabbage
of a synthetic -mineral mixture of minor element.? submitted by the
American Cyahamid Company, and of Soil-Aid and Garden- Aid, tv.'omixt 'ores
submitted for test as an ::.mcndraont b"" the Peter llanufacturing Company
of Pittsburgh. The latter was applied both to early cabbage and to
greenhouse cucmnbers. Results of the tests arc showTi bclo'vv.

SYNTHETIC iJINSRAL 'FIXTURE TESTo ON CABBAaE.

Plots consisted of 12 rov/s of 13 heads each, with 4 guard rows betv.een
plots; treatments v;ere duplicated, and consisted of the follw.ii:g;
Control, or 1000 lb. of 4-16-4 fertilizer broadcast; Ncruial Applica-
tion ;jf Xinerals plus 1000 lb. of 4-16-4 fertilizer broadcast; Three
Times Normal Application of Minerals plus 1000 lb. of 4-16-4 fertilizer
broadcast. Results v:ere cs follows:

CONTROL
Average yield of two
plots in each
treatment 194 bds. 4I8.5

Average v/eight per

head, pounds 2.16

Percentage of plants

forming heads 90

NORIiAL

lb. 193 hds.456.5.1b.

2.37
89.3

3X Normal

183.5 hd3. 411.

It

2.24
85.1

I

il

H

'4.

i

!ll i

■#

SOIL-AID AND GARDEN-AID TESTS ON CABBAGE.

Plots consisted of 6 rows of 18 plants each, v;ith A guard rows bet;;een
plots: treatments v;ere duplicated, and consisted of the Soil-Aia and
Garden-Aid aoplied according to directions, the former,. |00 Id. per
acre, arid the latter, 6 lb. perlOO eq. ft., and a control plot. Each
plot except the Garden-Aid plots received stiff icient ammonium sulfate,
superphosphate, and muriate of potash to make the amounts of N, P, and
K the same as that on the Garden-Aid plots. Results were as fillov/s:

CONTROL

Average yield

per plot 79 hds. 168.5

Average weight

per head, pounds 2.13

Percentage of

plants heading 87.8

GARDEN-AID

SOIL-AU)

lb. 74.5 hds. 126. 9 lb. 77.5 hds. 180.1 lb.

1.73
82.7

2.32
86.1

GIUNULAR VS. ORDINARY COMPLETE FERTILIZERS

Tests were conducted in 1937 on spinach, early cabbage, beans, and
c .rpots with granular and ordinary fertilizers of the same analysis,
iipplications were broadcast at the rate of 1000 lb. of 4--16-4- ^^^^~_-
ilizer per acre on spinach aiid carrots; in the row at the rate of 750
lb. of 4-16-4- fertilizer per acre on cabbage; and in a band alongside
the ro\7, at the rate of 4OO lb. of 4-16-4 fertilizer per acre on beans.
Treatments vere in triplicate, and plots were 6 rovs v;ide and from
140 feet v.ith carrots to 200 feet long uithbeans. Results were the
following:

Average yield
per plot
Average v/eight
per head, lbs.

Average yield per
plot , pounds

Average yield per
plot, potJnds

ORDINARY FERTILIZER GR.\NULAR FERTILIZER

Early Cabbage

515 heads 992.4 lb.

1.93

71.6

448.0

Spinach

Beans

Carrots

Average yield^Marketable 4*99

of r oots, lb, .; Unmarketable 1.55

Total 6.54
Average weight of

tops, lb. 6.39

511,3 heads 1008. 4 l^*

1.97

69.©

453.5

4.52
1.61

6.13

5.84

f