PRODUCTION OF TOMATOES UNDER GLASS AT WAINUI

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22817, 11 December 1948, Page 8

PRODUCTION OF TOMATOES UNDER GLASS AT WAINUI

TOMATOES under glass relying on the heat ot' the sun had a set-back in the cold November weather, but have been ripening readily in tire past w eck and the market has been well supplied. Relying on the fairly even temperatures of the climate at Wainui, Mr. G. 11. Stewart started picking in two of his three tomato houses in mid-Octo-ber. His third house was planted up later. Ilis quantities were increasing until the cold snap in November. The heat of the past week has brought his crop forward in fine order and liis picking rate stepped up to 600 lb. at the peak for one day. He expects to have the bulk of his crop marketed by New Year. Since the war Mr. Stewart has been improving his cultural practices and when a visit was paid to his nursery this week lie was found working in his new tomato house crowded, as were five others, with tomato vines nearing full production. Most of Ihe vines were carrying from five to seven trusses laden with fruit. He stated that, his average yield per plant last season was 61b.

The job did not finish with the picking. The tomatoes were then cleaned and the stalks removed. In that operation the fruit was graded into acceptable sizes and later packed in 231 b. cases for the market. The season, he said, was a busy one.