Tough Tops Are Key To Carrot Harvest Success
Harvesting a jpei pi
wagon, one pulls the harvester and Carl mans the side of the
harvester to watch for clogs.
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Stationary-
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BY HELEN KELCHNER
Columbia Co. Correspondent
BERWICK - Twenty acres of
carrots were harvested at the Carl
Shaffer farm, Mifflinville,
Columbia County, after ap
proximately 14 weeks of careful
nurturing.
The crop averaged 20 to 25 tons
per acre. Shaffer feels he got a
good yield; 18 ton is considered
average.
Carrots are not an easy crop to
grow. The critical period is when
the fragile plant pushes through
the ground. Loose, sandy loam and
adequate moisture are essential to
prevent a ground surface crust
from forming. Regular cultivation
aids in maintaining acceptable soil
conditions during development.
An unusual feature of the carrot
crop is the necessity of a good,
strong top. During harvest the
plant enters the machine (an FMC
harvester) where a pulling
pressure is applied by way of the
carrot top, while a shovel lifts from
the bottom. The carrot is carried
along a track by its top to a point
where the top is sheared off and the
carrot drops on an upward con
veyor leading to a wagon. If the top
is weak, it tears off as the machine
passes over and the carrot remains
in the ground.
Certain measures are taken to
develop strong tops. It begins with
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N.H. FLICKER & SONS, INC
Maxatawny, PA
Ph; (215) 683-7252
M. WEAVER & SON
N. Groffdale Rd.
Leola, PA 17540
Ph: (717)656-2321
S.G. LEWIS AND SON
West Grove, PA
Ph (215)869-9440
869 2214
adults
heavy urea application during soil 20 percent of the crop is bought by
preparation prior to planting. Hanover. Campbell Soups in
After the plant shows green, Delaware takes the balance,
precautions are taken to control A Planet Junior seeder (an
leaf hoppers and blight. From mid- implement designed for small
July until harvest, the crop is seeds) is used to sow the carrots in
sprayed every ten days to two early May. Harvest is a three-man
weeks. Subsequent nitrogen ap- operation. One man pulls the FMC
plications during plant growth aids harvester with a 756 International,
in strong top and vegetable A second man pulls a “potato”
development. wagon which must run along side
Hanover Foods urged Shaffer to the harvester close enough to catch
try carrots eight years ago. He is the carrots as they drop off the
one of the few growers in this area conveyor. Carl mans the side of the
who continues to grow the crop, harvester from a platform to in-
The variety is a dicing carrot and sure proper operation. He can
can reach a five-pound size. All but (Turn to Page Dl5)
M-F 298
LEBANON VALLEY
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700 E. Linden St.
Richland, PA
Ph: (717)866-7518
R.W. KELLER SALES
Perkasie, PA 18944
Ph (215)257-0101
GUS FARM EQUIP. INC.
Rt. 616, P.O. Box 85
Seven Valleys, PA 17360
Ph: (717)428-1967
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ABRACZINSKA'S
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RDI, Catawissa, PA
Ph: (717) 356-2323
(South on Rt. 42)
ARNETTS GARAGE
Rt. 9 Box 125
Hagerstown, MD
Ph: (301) 733-0515
MARLIN W.SCHREFFLER
Pitman, PA
Ph: (7
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M-F 3545
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