"As one among such special crops, the culture of tomatoes holds a high rank. Statistics sufficient to give definite information in regard to the money value of this crop in Virginia have not yet been collected by the Station ; judging, however, from genera] statements, there must be in this state no less than eighty, and probably as many as one hundred, canneries working on this crop, either alone or in conjunction with other fruits. In addition to this, the market crop grown in the vicinity of Norfolk and on the eastern shore will reach about one-balf of the value of that used in the canneries. Hence, it seems fair to say that the value of the tomato crop grown for these two purposes alone - for the canneries and for market - cannot fall short of $1,000,000 annually. This takes no account of what is grown in a general way for local markets and home consumption".

Root-Knot, by Atkinson.

"A matter of cultural importance, to which attention is here called, is that of transplanting the plants instead of permitting them to grow without disturbance from seed until put out in the field. The large number required for the extensive areas cultivated by the packers make this a formidable task, but at least one transplanting will prove decidedly profitable to them in the vigor and productiveness of the resultant plants. With experience, men acquire dexterity in the handling of small plants, and the labor is not so formidable as it at first appears. Some growers do practice transplanting, but others do not".

"The special value of a variety of tomato for the large canning industry of this state and for market purposes must lie in its being a strong, vigorous grower, productive, yielding fruit of good size and smoothness, reasonably early, carrying its fruit through a good length of season without its deteriorating in quality, and (if this character can be had in the larger varieties of the tomato) freedom from fungous diseases. Observation leads to the belief that this latter characteristic in the large fruited sorts is more dependent upon season, situation and culture than upon variety. Further, solidity, i. e., firmness and capacity to stand up well under shipment and other handling operations, is a character of prime importance, but one on which judgment is not easily rendered. In general, this point includes both firmness and keeping quality, which are by no means identical and are possessed in different degrees by different varieties".

"Some plants of Paragon did well, but it seemed on the decline. This was also very noticeable of some plants of Beauty, but on the whole, this variety yielded some of the finest fruits grown on the trial ground. Acme fully sustained its reputation as one of the best all-round sorts. The crop was uniform and of fine quality, yet was somewhat more affected by the rot than some others. The purplish color of this variety may be objectionable to some, yet there are none can be so warmly recommended for general culture. Conqueror and Comet show the heaviest yields, but have little else of merit. They bore very abundant crops, but the fruits were small, and, after the first pickings, degenerated rapidly in quality. Dwarf Champion, one of the prominent novelties for the last two seasons, was not productive (one of the plants being entirely sterile, though it grew and bloomed vigorously). The fruits are of fine shape, color resembling the Acme, plant not quite strong enough to bear its fruit free from the ground.

The indications are that it requires high culture and will be valuable as an amateur sort, but not for general culture.

Tomatoes In Virginia.

Ideal Canning Tomato.

Varieties of Tomatoes.

Extra Early is a very prolific early sort, but the fruits are small and not of extra quality. Lorillard is a new variety of some promise. The fruits are of good size, fairly smooth, of fine crimson color, but for general culture it does not surpass some of the best previously mentioned. It is of Trophy type, and recommended as a forcing variety. Mikado is one of the best of the potato-leaved sorts, but there is some difference in stock of seed as to productiveness and character of fruit. This was plainly indicated in the test here the past season. Selection has been taken with a view to establishing a better type of this variety. It has a small growth of vine, hence can be planted closely, and is very susceptible to trellising. This variety produced some of the largest fruits grown here the past season. Shah is quite similar to Mikado in growth and general appearance, but its color is yellow".

In nine varieties the per cent. of water in the fruit was found to be, on the average, 93.63. The fertilizing value of 3,938 lbs. of tomato vines - the estimated produce of an acre - was found to be as follows :

Composition Of Tomatoes

"A question just here of practical importance should not be overlooked by growers. It is that the vines should not be allowed to decay in the open air, as in this way a large part of the nitrogen they contain, and which is their most valuable fertilizing ingredient, would escape, in the form of ammonia, into the surrounding atmosphere. The same thing would occur should the vines, after becoming sufficiently dry, be burned. This is a practice that has been recommended in order to destroy the germs of fungous diseases that affect the tomato. By plowing under, the same end will be attained without loss of nitrogen. In the case of a heavy clay soil, this would also have the effect of loosening the soil, securing a better tilth and more rapid decomposition of organic and mineral matters in the soil".

Experiments On Tomatoes

"It is estimated that the consumption of tomatoes has increased four-fold in the last ten years. The soil and climate of New Jersey are well adapted to the growth of this crop, and it now forms an important farming industry of the state. There are in this state, 73 tomato canneries, located chiefly in counties south of Middlesex. Statistics secured by this station from both canners and farmers show that at least 15,000 acres are devoted to the raising of tomatoes for these canneries; that the average yield per acre is from 8 to 10 tons, with a minimum selling price of $6.50 per ton, delivered at the canneries. Statistics secured in regard to the raising of tomatoes fo the general market, while less complete, indicate that the acreage is at least 2,000, with an average yield of 6 tons per acre, and an average selling price of 25 cents per basket of 30 pounds. Calculations based on these statistics show that the annual value of the crop to the farmers of New Jersey is over $1,000,000. As compared in point of money value with the staple crops grown in the state, tomatoes rank below hay, Indian corn and potatoes, with wheat, and above oats, rye and buckwheat." " Practical experience in regard to the growth of ther crop has led to the belief that while both barnyard manure and commercial fertilizers increase the yield, it is at the expense of maturity, especially in the case of fertilizers; and that the best effect of barnyard manure is shown when it has been applied in the fall previous to the year of growth." In order to determine the influence of fertilizing upon the yield and maturity, extensive tests were made with nitrate of soda, with the following results: 1. That nitrate of soda, while increasing the yield, does not do so at the expense of maturity when a small quantity is used, or when a large quantity is used in two applications. 2. That nitrate of soda increased the yield at expense of maturity when used in large quantities in one application. 3. That nitrate nitrogen is the ruling element in the growth of tomatoes, and that its best effect is dependent upon the method of application, and on the presence or absence in the soil of . a full supply of the mineral elements, phosphoric acid and potash. " Nitrate of soda was effective in increasing the yield in every case.

It was effective in increasing maturity from both the standpoints of yield and money value on six out of the eight plots upon which it was applied." "The increase in yield from the least effective use of nitrate of soda was 226 baskets" on one-twentieth of an acre, as compared with unmanured soil.

Tomatoes In Jersey.

Investigations were made to determine what effect the nitrate of soda may have upon the composition of the fruit and vines "In the average composition of the tomatoes from the plots on which nitrate was used alone, and those on which it was used with phosphoric acid and potash, the carbohydrates and moisture are practically identical, while decided differences are noticed in pro-teine, fat and ash. The proteine is 10 per cent. lower, the fat 14 per cent. higher and the ash 20 per cent. higher when the nitrate was used in connection with phosphoric acid and potash; and in both cases there is an increased percentage in all classes of food compounds over those found in the sample taken from the unfertilized plot, and equal in every respect to those from samples on the manured plot. This result is just the reverse of the quite general belief, based largely upon prejudice, that garden produce grown by the use of artificial fertilizers is watery, tasteless and less nutritious than when grown without fertilizers or with barnyard manure. The tomatoes were a magnificent crop in every respect; large, smooth and solid. Upon cutting the tomatoes at the time of sampling, a very decided difference in the appearance of pulp was noticed.

Those from the nitrated or manured plots were much more solid and with less seeds than from the unmanured, or from the plot fertilized with phosphoric acid and potash. What appeared a decided difference to the eye is confirmed by a chemical analysis." "A crop of tomatoes removes twice as much potash and over 50 per cent. more nitrogen than either a crop of white or sweet potatoes; nearly twice as much phosphoric acid as white potatoes, and more than four times as much as sweet potatoes." Wheat, oats and timothy hay remove more nitrogen than tomatoes do, and timothy bay removes over 50 per cent. more potash".

Fertilising and Yield.

Composition of Tomatoes as Influenced by Treatment.