DWARF TOMATOES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22439, 20 September 1947, Page 8

DWARF TOMATOES

SPACING OF PLANTS GROWERS’ EXPERIENCE With a number of Gisborne growers interesting themselves in the production of dwarf tomatoes for the new pulping industry establishing itself in Ihe district, the Hawke’s Bay experience on the subject of spacing the plants will be welcomed. ■Several dry seasons in Hawke’s Bay produced plants with a limited spread, encouraging the grower to reduce planting distances. It has been found safer to provide for average conditions allowing ample space for cultivation, spraying and picking and to enable that work to be carried out without excessive damage to the plants. Five or 6ft. between rows, according to the vigour and habit of the variety, has been stated as the requirement for Hawke's Bay. Queensland growers near Bowen had favourable conditions last season. Dwarf tomato plants set out 12ft. apart were meeting together. The yield was heavy anc! 40,000 cases each week were railed to Sydney and Brisbane.

Queensland growers send a representative to Sydney to watch the marketing of the fruit and to recommend improvements in the pack. Realisations vary from 2s (o 16s a case, and one of his duties is to obtain a sample case of the extreme prices. The sample cases are forwarded by air for the growers’ first-hand inspection, affording them the opportunity to learn the reasons for the price variations and enabling them to take remedial action.