NEWARK, DE Tomatoes are close to the heart of most gar deners. They’re usually easy to grow, providing satisfaction for young and old alike. But how frustrating to look at a juicy red tomato only to find that the has rotted, or to watch the big' green vines slowly wither away to. nothing just as their first fruits begin to mature. With a little extra care, home gardeners can prevent most tomato problems, says Delaware State College extension agent Glenn Layton. He offers the following practical advice for recognizing and correcting or better yet, preventing some of the more common problems. Blossom Drop Early season blossoms sometimes fall off as a result of cool night temperatures (below 55 degrees F). During summer months, some blossom drop may also occur when tem peratures exceed 75 degrees. Unfortunately, says Layton, there’s little one can do about the temperature except plant at the proper time. CONSTRUCTION V & FARM BUILDINGS - EXCAVATING MANURE PITS - SEPTIC TANKS SPECIAL FARM PRICES DYNAMIC MASONRY CONTRACTORS Mike Fisher (717) 687-6801 After 6 PM. Coll <717) 687-7217 HARMAN TRIDENT BOILERS THE ULTIMATE IN WOOD/COAL BOILERS, FURNACES & FREE STANDING STOVES (Available to plumbers at wholesale price) FEATURES: 1 Exclusive Harman Spiral Chamber 2 Harman Cast-Iron Grate System with external shaker lever 3 1 ” Schedule BO Water Pipes 4. Optional Electric Back-Up Kit 5 Optional 4 gpm Domestic Hot Water Coil 6 ASME Pressure Relief Valve 7 Temperature Pressure Gauge Fitting 8. Dual Function Aquastat Fitting 9. Electronic Automatic Draft Control 10. Heavy '/*" & 5/16” Steel Con struction 11. Overfire Draft Controls Pro vides Secondary Air To Bun. Coal Gases 12 Unique Water Flow Pattern For Maximum Heat Transfer 13 Heavy Cast-Iron Doors 14 Fire-Brick Lined CHESTER B. NOLI 30 S. Hershey Ave. (Bareville) Leola, Pa. 17540 Phone (717) 656*6898 Hours: Mon. & Tues. by Appointment Wed., Thurs., Fri. 10 to 8; Sat. 10 to 4 Expert tells how Blossom End Rot This con dition, which affects both green and ripe tomatoes, is prevalent on the bottom or blossom end where it appears as a large dry, darkened area. It’s usually more of a problem on the earliest fruits of the season and generally results from moisture stress caused by hot, dry summer weather while the plant is actively growing. Home gardeners can prevent blossom end rot by keeping their plants evenly moist, the extension agent says. Mulching with plastic, straw, bark, dry grass clippings or newspaper will also aid in prevention. Cracking Following a dry spell, warm rainy days may make the tomatoes crack if they expand too fast as they take on more water. Early Blight and Light Blight Both these diseases are caused by fungi which release wind-blown spores. They can infect plants rapidly when conditions are right for their development. Early blight (also called target spot) first appears as small, SPECIALISTS lit: The Ideal Machine For: • POST HOLE DIGGING • INDOOR WORK • BACKHOE WORK -FREE ESTIMATES Gordonville, PA to stop problems with tomatoes irregular, dark brown spots on the leaves. These enlarge into circular spots with target-like markings. Lower leaves are attacked first. The leaf tissue around the spots turns yellow, an 9 when the disease is severe, leaves fall off. If not controlled in the leaf stage, stems and fruit may also be infected. Fruits will develop dark leathery spots near the stem end. Heavy dew or rain favor early blight. Plants already in poor vigor are most susceptible. Plants infected with late blight first develop greenish-black; water-soaked blotches on the leaves. Under moist conditions, these blotches enlarge rapidly. A white, fuzzy fungus growth may also be seen on die undersides of leaves. Infected plants eventually wither and die. Elongated black cankers develop on the stem and leaf stalks. Water-soaked spots develop on fruit, enlarging rapidly and turning a blotchy greenish brown. A whitish mold may cover the infected tissue during moist weather. Late blight is favored by rainy, foggy weather, Layton says. STANDING SEAM ROOFING in 26 guage Galvanized Steel other Materials available THE LONG LASTING ROOF WATER-TIGHT, DOUBLE CRIMPED NO FACE NAILS TO WORK LOOSE