TRELLIS TOMATOES . 11 



Differences resulting from the application of a medium and large amount 

 of manure are not very great. A part of this may have been due to the fact that 

 the soil, both at Waltham and Amherst, is well filled with organic matter. Also, 

 ample irrigation was used at all times, which probablj^ did not allow the moisture- 

 holding qualities of the manure to show to full advantage. 



Although the total yields at Waltham were not greatly influenced by the appli- 

 cation of manure, it did have considerable effect on the percentage of No. 1 

 fruit. Much of this difference was due to less cracking and larger fruit— two 

 factors which are very important from the marketing standpoint. At Amherst 

 the application of manure in any quantity reduced the early yields, but the total 

 yields were in favor of the application of a medium quantity of manure. The 

 difference in the effect of manure on early yields in the two experimental areas 

 is probably due to the different soil types and the speed with which the soil 

 warms up in the spring. Had these experiments been conducted on lighter soils, 

 the value of manure would undoubtedly have shown to better advantage. 



It is probable that other kinds of manure, such as poultry, pig, or horse, would 

 have produced slightly different results. This is particularly true of poultry 

 manure because of the higher percentage of nitrogen that it contains. All types 

 of manure can be used to advantage on tomtaoes if they are handled properh- 

 and the fertilizer is balanced accordingly. 



Some growers have followed the practice of placing part or all of the manure 

 in the furrow, but it is questionable whether this is worth the extra labor required. 

 If the manure is evenly incorporated into the soil, a more even growth will be 

 obtained and the land will be left in a uniform condition for the next crop. 



Setting the tomato plants; putting up the trellis, wire and string; and spray- 

 ing make it necessary to walk over the soil a number of times. If a good job of 

 plowing and fitting the land, is not done before these operations start, the soil 

 becomes quite compacted. Proper soil preparation is important enough to 

 justify taking time for a thorough job. 



Before the preparation of the soil starts, consideration should be given to the 

 need for lime. Better results from the fertilizer and manure will be secured if the 

 soil is slightly acid (pH 5.8 to 6.5). If lime is to be applied it is essential that 

 the application be even and uniform. Apph ing the lime just before or just after 

 plowing will insure good mixing with the disk. 



Fertilizer for Trellis Tomatoes 



The production of large quantities of tomatoes per acre necessarih' requires 

 considerable amounts of plant food. If the soil cannot supply this plant food 

 the crop will suffer in size of fruit, quality, and yield. A properly balanced 

 fertility program will vary from farm to farm according to the type and natural 

 fertility of the soil, the cover crops used, and the amount and kind of manure 

 applied. In these experiments certain indications have been noted and will 

 serve as a guide to growers in making up their own fertilizer program. 



Amount of 5-8-7 



In getting at the problem of the proper amount of fertilizer to apply, it was 

 decided to use the most popular grade, 5-8-7. Three treatments were compared: 

 no commercial fertilizer, 1 ton per acre, and 2 tons per acre. All of the plots 

 received 12 cords of manure per acre. 



