TOMATO GROWING 



BY FRANK WM. RANE 



One little realizes to what an extent the tomato is used. 

 The canning industry alone is enormous, and although facto- 

 ries are increasing, nevertheless the prices for canned tomatoes 

 are higher at present than for a number of years. The catsup- 

 making industry is continually increasing, and yet the demand 

 equals the supply. Even green fruit is in fair demand in the 

 fall of the year, and in the local markets in New England is 

 nearly as remunerative as the ripe fruit. Nearly every family 

 nowadays makes green tomato pickles, chowchow, etc. Dur- 

 ing the past 5^ear the green fruit was in equally as good de- 

 mand as the ripe and sold for the same prices from our grounds. 

 While nearly every New England garden has tomatoes in it, 

 and they are comparatively easy to raise, yet we are yearly 

 expending thousands upon thousands of dollars, which for the 

 most part go to other sections of the country, for this vege- 

 table. Not only is this expenditure made by the rich but also 

 by the poor. Where is there a country store that does not sell 

 canned tomatoes and catsup? The retail price of canned toma- 

 toes at present is at the rate of 12J to 15 cents, while a half 

 dozen years ago it was eight cents. As a people, it is believed 

 we too easily accustom ourselves to getting a thing in the 

 easiest way and do not consider the cost. It is all well and 

 good for the city people to purchase canned goods if they 

 haven't room to raise them, as the expense of purchasing the 

 fruit and the work in canning the same perhaps would not 

 come far shorty of the expenditure for the commercial product; 

 but for the great number of families who have their own 

 garden spot, and especially our farm homes, to depend upon 

 the canned goods and bottles does seem in a degree a nseless 

 expenditure. 



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