HUGE TOMATO CROP

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 134, 16 January 1939, Page 1

HUGE TOMATO CROP

FORTY TONS AN ACRE N.S.W. VENTURE .SYDNEY, Dec. 21—Probably the most prolific) crop ot' tomatoes in the State is "rowing on the hanks of the Natai River, in tfie central Burragorang Valley. On present indications the . yield should he between 40 and 4.'3 tons an acre of marketable fruit. Approximately this return was obtained on the same farm last year; The yield is the more remarkable when it is compared with those from other tomato districts. In the metropolitan area a good: return is 1000 halfbushel cases an acre. On the central North Coast, tin* State’s most progressive tomato growing area, the best growers may average about 1500 cases an acre. The- Burragorang Valley crop last year yielded more than 2500 cases an acre. These results have been achieved through a combination of factors. Seed selection, generous irrigation, heavy feeding, and rigorous disease control have all played their part, but" the choice of a remarkable variety lias been mainly responsible. The crop has been grown by a. .Sydney organisation known as Salads, which specialises in tomato production. The seed Avas obtained some years ago from New and the vaiicty grown for seme time in hot-liouses.