The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-04-12
PGuIT CULTURE.
CRYSTAL SPRINGS, April ., 1870.

4 ORASIAI piAANNIt
To the Editor Of the Comel'
With your permission, desire to claim a
small space in your interesting ana spark
ling columns, to speak something IN des-
cription OF our new and great industry
fruit farming. Upon the many and rigid
experimental tests that we have made, ana
are making, looking to release from the
the thraldom of cotton, the future of South
Mississippi, as fruit-growing country de-
ponds. All eyes are directed to our tests,
and many important interests, immediate
remote, are affected by the solution OF the
problem now attempted. The outlook for
remunerative prices is exceedingly promis-
ing. Northern weather reports bespeak
more than ordinary encouragement, which,
coupled with the fact of our short crop,
will enhance the value of staple produc-
tion-peaches. Our failing in the outset of
the year to secure such terms from the rail
road authorities as our interests seem to de-
mand, operated measurably to cast damp
er on the spirit of the new enterprise, and
caused many to abandon all hope of sues
cessful issue. But change has GENE over
the spirit of our dreams, and the situation
has been cordially accepted, and determiN
nation to make the best Of 1T ensued, The
rates of freight and facilities for transpor-
ton offered, were exceptionally liberal and
commendatory, but the time of transit
asked for, hence to Chicago, was quicker
thon the best equipped and ballasted roads
could affor1-say ~ hours.
The fruit movement for the season has
fairly opened. The first shipment of straw
berries was made by Mr.. S. H. Stackhouse,
a quandam quill driver, whose pen has been
turned into a garden hoe, 50 to speak,
which implement he Yields with the grace,
energy and success he formerly did the
goose. quill Mr. S. is now reaplng the
benefits of profound sagacity. While he
not any longer grace our press conventions
with bis handsome face and benignant
smile, he muses. among hif vines and plants
in the conscious knowledge that pleasure
and profit come of an assiduous and intel
ligent tilling of the soil. Mr.. s. S first
shipment of berries netted him eighty .f0e
cents per quart. His new enterprise EN-
braces 81 acres in strawberries, which
promise yield of 2)00 quarts to the acre;
3 acres in peas, which will yield $50 bush
els to the acre; acres in tomatoes, which,
at great expense of money and labor, he
has forced beyond their normal growth, so
as to reap the advantage of early produc-
ton. l merely cite Mr.: s. as one of the
hundreds whose faith in the ultimate sue
cess of the new industry has decided them
to embark in the most remunerative occu-
patton that presents itself to the considera-
ton of the thoughtful farmer, and one des-
tined eventually to reyolutionize the inter
ests of South Mississippi, and make our
pine barrens the most valuable lands in the
State.
A guess at the acreage planted in the
yarious fruits and vegetables will not
prove uninteresting, and will so to show
he magnitude of the new industry. Your
from many sources, has ar
lived at results approximately correct
Tnho total acreage in strawberries, in
ound numbers, aggregates so; in tomatoes,
!; the fruit bearing peach trees, within
adlus of six miles, covering an area of
900 acres, is variously estimated at from
80, 900 to 100000. The severity of last
winter was fatal to large number of trees
f a certain age, and the estimate may not
n consequence, be reliable. What the
rop will be this year, no one can divine.
think 10000 boxes an under estimate.
he cheapness of cultivation and gathering
as made the peach the object of our sin
crest solicitude, hence, to it has been that
me and experiment in propaSation which
as not been shown to equally remunera-
i've fruits. A volume would barely suffice
0 elaborate the tedious experiments in n.y.
WulCu udVo D66n lIluo W plOPh-
ate new and early varieties-how every
richard has been culled of its late bearers
ow the demand for improved fruits has
ssumed such large dimensions many
of dollars-say 75,000-have
ecu expended to secure the vantage ground
a the way of first shipments, which, inter
reted, means fabulous prices. No obsta>
les have, as yet, dampened our ardor, and
be day is not far distant when the outcome
f this fpirit will be seen in canning fac
cries and distilleres, to consume the fruit
1hen shipping ceases to pay. One or two
nore propitious seasons will direct public
ttention to those new outlets, and stimn-
ate increased production; and then we may
re considered to have won the goal striven
or. 5. ID. A, Jr.
The New York Star says; I" If there is
nv Democrat in MississiDui who ia biz