E.B. Norvell Raises 400 Pounds Tomatoes on a Corner of His Garden, Nov. 6, 1925

Norvell Demonstrates Tomatoes Can be Raised Profitably in Western N.C. . . . From 1/77th Acre He Sells Nearly 400 Pounds, Besides Quantity Used and Given Away

Mr. E.B. Norvell, prominent attorney and citizen of Murphy, has demonstrated this year beyond doubt that tomatoes can be grown with profit in this section.

Lat spring Mr. Norvell planted 1/77th of an acre to tomatoes. He planted primarily for his own use and with no thought of marketing them, and the spot of ground used was a corner of his garden. The production of the plants was unusually prolific and when time came to begin gathering the tomatoes, Mr. Norvell had more than he needed for his own use. He found ready market for them right here in Murphy, and gave his friends and neighbors a quantity. Of those sold he and the parties buying kept records, but of those given away, no record was kept.

From his 1/77th of an acre, according to the records kept, Mr. Norvill sold this year 388 ½ pounds. Besides what was used by his family and what he gave away, which he reckons to be about 150 to 200 pounds.

Not counting the tomatoes given away and used by Mr. Norvell’s family at the rate of 388 ½ pounds per 1/77th, and are in tomatoes would produce 29,914 ½ pounds, or 14 tons, and 1,914 ½ pounds or 534 bushels. At the rate of 40 cents per bushel would make in round figures $213.60.

Mr. Norvell gave away between 150 and 200 pounds. In terms of bushels, there would be 740, at 40 cents per bushel, an acre would net in round figures $296.

The figures are almost unbelievable, but County Agent Gray measured the land and the figures can be verified by Mr. Norvell, and by J.G. Greene, local retail merchant who bought the tomatoes sold. Of course, Mr. Norvell’s land is fertile, but no more fertile than any of this mountain valley is or can be made.

The largest tomato raised this year by Mr. Norvell was 15 inches in circumference, weighed 1 pound and 14 ½ ounces, and was thoroughly developed. Mr. Norvell has grown tomatoes successfully for many years, and he attributed his success to his method of planting.

From the front page of The Cherokee Scout, Murphy, N.C., Friday, Nov. 6, 1925

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