RESEARCH and REPO 



For the American Tomato Industry 



PUBLISHED PERIODICALLY BY FRANCIS C. STOKES COMPANY, VINCENTOWN, NEW JERSEY 



NO. 10 



JANUARY 10, 1955 



WILL YOUR 1955 PLANS KEEP PACE WITH PROGRESS? 



On this, our 74th Anniversary, we are proud to announce 

 progressive improvement in new strains and varieties for 

 1955. 



Tomatoes by Stokes mean a high standard of production 

 and of type breeding. Continued progress is being made in 

 Fusarium resistance and in crack resistance. For the fifth 

 consecutive season we are conducting research in the Prov- 

 ince of Santa Clara, Cuba, thus affording two judgments 



1954 has taught us much about varieties. Again, hybrid 

 vigor has demonstrated its superior producing strength, 

 averaging 14 tons per acre in a 10 ton year. The Stokescross 

 strains have set fruit under higher temperatures than most 

 standard varieties. The size factor in hybrids can largely be 

 controlled by heavier fertilization. 



As breeders and growers, the Stokes Company is produc- 

 ing tomato stocks that will have a continental range. There 

 are certain Experiment Stations which have developed 

 tomatoes for their own individual states. In some cases, 

 these have locally shown great merit. Some, however, have 

 been disappointing when tested on a country wide basis. 

 If you desire higher tonnage per acre, plant any of the 

 Stokescross strains. They -have performed magnificently 

 and with great profit for many Stokes customers. For 1955 

 we offer Stokescross No. 1, Stokescross No. 4, Stokescross 

 No. 5. Each is described on page 4. 



WHAT ARE YOV DOING TO PRESERVE FLAVOR? 



This paragraph applies to all tomatoes^ whether for green- 

 wrap or for processing, but it is for the greenwrap industry 

 that we are more directly concerned. The phenomenal cello- 

 phane, or tube box, pre-package business has grown to vast 

 proportions — something in excess of 2 billion boxes per 

 year. This multi-million dollar business has been seriously 



hurt because the operators have lost sight of the flavor 

 x^_i_.. Ai 4. ; ;„ui,. t,..,ih ;o Uo,.,,£xc.toJ of the ^.yi 



mature stage with the result that the true tomato flavor 

 never develops regardless of the color. In our humble opin- 

 ion, sales of greenwrap tomatoes could double if the flavor 

 could be retained. 



We know of one group which is making a detailed study 

 of the problem. If their theories are put into practice they 

 could easily revolutionize this important industry. The 

 time is coining, gentlemen, when a vast change is going to 

 take place so that the consumer will be able to buy fruit 

 that not only looks like tomatoes but has the well-known 

 mid-summer flavor. 



GERMINATION IN TOMATO SEED 



1954 harvest of Stokes tomato seed has averaged from 90 

 to 95 percent. Our seed is all tested on a bag by bag basis at 

 the New Jersey State Experiment Station. The tests are 

 based on 14 day duration. Many of our customers ask for 

 the 7 day test results and these we are pleased to report have 

 been averaging about 85 percent. These are the highest 

 recorded figures in our company records. 



AU Stokes tomato seed is treated with Du Pont Ceresan 

 M (ethyl mercury phosphate) . We have now come to the 

 conclusion that blotter tests of seed treated with Ceresan 

 M are sometimes 5 percent lower than untreated seed. On 

 the contrary, the same treated seed when tested in soil 

 averaged 5 percent stronger germination. The seed treat- 

 ment almost totally eliminates bacteria and fungus spores. 

 We feel that the treatment definitely adds to the value of the 

 seed. 



STOKES TAMPER PROOF CONTAINERS 



The packet is a brilliant lithographed envelope. The ounce 

 is a valuable re-use plastic container, sealed for your pro- 

 tection. The one-pound is in the famous Stokes canister 

 which is totally sealed against re-filling. The germination 

 and the date of test is on each package. 



These bright and distinctive packages speak for them- 

 selves. We consider them to be the finest tomato seed pack- 

 ages on sale anywhere, full\ wortliv of the high type pedi- 

 greed seed they protect. 



THE IMPORTANCE OF TEMPERATURE TO FRUIT SET 



Very few tomato growers realize the importance of cool 

 night tenipcature to attain normal set of toe tomato blos- 

 som — night temperatures between 60" and 70°, but 65° 

 is optimum. The sugar transport from the leaf to the grow- 

 ing bud takes place in the dark. This cannot occur unless 

 the temperature is in or very near the 60° to 70° range. 

 Nights when the temperature is 75° or over almost invari- 

 ably result in no setting. 



Day temperatures, of course, must not be too high. Field 

 temperature in excess of 95° may blast blossoms. It has 

 often been said that the tomato glut occurs 50 days after 

 there has been a week of night temperatures in the 60°-70° 

 range. These facts were clearly borne out in the season of 

 1954-. Fortunately there was a cool week commencing 

 August 10th. This brought on a deluge of ripe tomatoes 

 just before frost. 



The effect of temperature on the flavor of the fruit also 

 is vitally important. Moderate temperature is best for fruit 

 flavor and for fruit color. Prolonged hot spells will ad- 

 versely affect the flavor as well as the color. 



RELIABLE PLANT SOURCES 



The following Southern Plant Growers have ordered im- 

 portant blocks of Stokes Tomato Seed this year: they in- 

 clude both Stokescross and standard varieties: 



We consider these men reliable and competent. 



H. S. Pendley, Chula, Ga. 

 J. Spence Phelps, Ridgely, Md. 

 Piedmont Plant Co., 



Albany, Ga. 

 Ponder Plant Co., Omega, Ga. 

 Service Plant Co., Omega, Ga. 

 John Thornhill Co., Tifton, Ga. 

 Tifton Plant Co., Tifton, Ga. 



J. P. Councill Plant Farms, 



Franklin, Va. 

 R. 0. Dean, Federalsburg, Md. 

 P. D. Fulwood Co., Tifton, Ga. 

 L & L Plant Co., Omega, Ga. 

 L. P. Legg, Rebecca, Ga. 

 Lindsey Plant Co., Lenox, Ga. 

 Lindsey & Daugtrey, Adel, Ga. 



