Growing Tomatoes for tKe Canning Factory 



T. D. Rivett, B.S.A., Department of Ae'ricviltvire, Toronto 



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TOMATO growing in Ontario is be- 

 coming more and more extensive, 

 and has proven so far to be one 

 of the most profitable crops of the 

 farm. Although we have no definite 

 figures to date, yet one cannot fail to 

 see that this industrv is on the in- 

 crease. In 1904, over 1,500,000 bush, 

 were consumed by the canning factories 

 alone, representing a sum farm- value 

 of $326,486. As the consumption in- 

 creases, together with improvements 

 in canning methods and machinery, the 

 supply naturally will increase also. 



There are distributed throughout 

 eastern, western and southern Ontario 

 some 50 canning factories. Of this 

 number 40 make tomatoes one of their 

 specialties, and offer every inducement 

 for farmers to grow them. Of late, 

 however, there is a feeling of dissatis- 

 faction with the price per bushel, 

 which is 25 cents, the farmer on the 

 one hand claiming that 30 cents should 

 be, and is, a moderate price, especially 

 where dangers of early frosts are prev- 

 alent; while, on the other hand, the 

 canners claim that 25 cents is not only 

 legitimate, but insures the farmer a 

 fair margin of profit. It might be said, 

 however, that where the farmer meets 

 with exceptional conditions, 25 cents 

 would seem sufficient, but in normal 

 conditions, 30 cents is hardly too much 

 in consideration for the risk which the 



average grower has to encounter in 

 the general run of seasons in this 

 province. 



SOIL THAT IS SUITABLE 



The tomato will grow and succeed in 

 a great variety of soils, and in different 

 districts will give different results, on 

 the same kinds of soil. The best re- 

 sults, therefore, will be obtained only 

 by a close study of the soil and its 

 treatment under the prevailing con- 

 ditions. 



The best soil is a clayey loam. Al- 

 though it is not as early as others, yet 

 it produces a firmer and thicker to- 

 mato with a smaller percentage of 

 water, which to the canner is of great 

 importance; for, the larger the percent- 

 age of moisture, the greater will be the 

 lack of sohdity and the smaller the 

 number of cans to the bushel. The 

 waste in pulp and juice at present com- 

 mands little value on the market. 



The land should be well drained, 

 either artificially or naturally, and if 

 possible, the location should be an 

 elevated one so as to insure atmos- 

 pheric drainage, thereby lessening the 

 probable damage by light frost. Un- 

 der no conditions should one try to 

 grow tomatoes in a low, damp locality. 

 Not only do they suffer for lack of 

 drainage there, but early and late 

 frosts will, in all probability, damage 



them, and fungous diseases, such as 

 wilt and blight, are more likely to be 

 prevalent. 



PREPARING THE LAND 



It is always best to grow crops in 

 rotation, and this applies equally well 

 to tomatoes. The tomato should be 

 preceded by a hoed crop, and prefer- 

 ably a deep-rooted one. In the fall, 

 after the land has been plowed, a good 

 dressing of well rotted manure should 

 be appHed to the soil and ribbed up. 

 In the spring, this should be thoroughly 

 incorporated with the soil, and a suit- 

 able seed-bed prepared for the time of 

 planting. 



WHAT IS THE BEST VARIETY? 



The question of variety is of great 

 importance, and can be solved only by 

 continued experiment. No variety will 

 give the same results, on different soils 

 and in different localities. Season, cli- 

 mate, treatment and source of seed, all 

 have a prevailing influence on develop- 

 ment, product on and time of ripening. 

 One must observe his neighbor's meth- 

 ods and experiment for himself, before 

 he will eventually find the most prof- 

 itable tomato for his district. The 

 following are those grown in the differ- 

 ent sections of Ontario with apparent 

 success : Early^Earlianna, Chalk's Early 

 Jewel, Moore's Early Marvel, Atlantic 

 Prize. Late — Stone, Ignotum, Living- 



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Field of Beans in the Essex Peninsula of Ontario 



Tlic crowing of beans is carried on extensively in the Essex peninsula of Ontario, particularly in the counties of Huron. Kent and Essex. This year the industry in- 

 creased wonderfully. Whole farms were devoted tt» the (frowing of this crtip. Most of the beans are grown for winter use and are consumed in Canada. 



