Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-05-14
THE SUN LANDS BORDER.
LETTER FROM THOMAsVILLE.
South Georgia Vegetable and Fruit
Growers sAssociation-FruiG Farms
General Crops, Etc.

General Crops. Etc.
TOWNSVILLE, May lit is known to some
of your readers that the vegetable and fruit
growers along the line of the Savannah, FIori-
da and Western Railway proposed a meeting
in Townsville on the Sd instant, in conjunc-
ton with the Thomas County Horticultural
Society, with the view Of general organiza-
ton for the purpose of combined effort not
only to encourage the new enterprise Of vegeta-
BILE and fruit growing in this section for foreign
markets, but also to induce the most favorable
arrangements for the convenience and cheap
| ness of shipping. In consequence of break
in the schedule of the railroad for that date
the delegates failed to reach Thomasville
from several points, and although a useful
meeting was held by those who did arrive, the
main objects of the convention were postponed
to Wednesday, the 10th inst, for full attend
ance. Delegates appeared from several iocali-
ties In the counties Of Thomas, Brooks and
Lowndes, with proxies and reports of non-rep-
resented individuals and sections aud after
pretty thorough examination of the grounds,
in open, frank debate, organization was effect
ed by the election of Mr.. James A. Dasher, of
Lowndes, President: Mr.. John Brooks. Of
Brooks county, Vice -, Presidents and
Mr.. Theodore Stephens, of Thomas, as Secre-
tary. The report of committee was adopted
prescribing rules and regulations for the
government of the new O. ganization, and an
nouncing its name and style to be that of the
| South Georgia Vegetable and Fruit Growers
Association" Discussion took a wide range
directed chiefly upon shipping facilities, en-
bracing the rate and management of the sew
eral railroads concerned, and the stormy
tendency of a few speeches indicated
that the interest of shipper and producer were
not in perfect harmony The Savannah
Florida and Western Railway Company were
represented by Mr.. d. H Elliott, and beside
frank, clear statement of the attitude of his
ation its capacity for freight movement ETC.,
the experience and ability of that gentleman
rendered important service to the association
III the way Of reliable, accurate information in
the matters of transportation, distribution and
general management
The main object of the formation of the asso-
Citations remains yet to be ccompIished-that
OF securing by combination. such shipping
rates over the railroads as will render remu-
neration more certain in this line of industry,
and thus encourage the great diversity of labor
success promises. 1t appeared from the reports
and discussions that former efforts in
this line were mere ventures, altogether uncer.
tain and remuneration only accidental. This
was attributed mostly to high rates of trans
portation, want of concert of action among
shippers, and injudicious distribution of car
goes. 1t is believed that these can be remedied
and the area of cultivation vastly increased
greatly to the advantage of all concerned; and
to harmonic the interests of the section, agree
with the railroads upon equitable rates of
transportation. and build up the agricultural
along the Savannah, Florida and Western Rail-
road, seems to be the work cut out for the new
association, which adjourned to meet ag ain on
the 18th of June.
FRUIT FARMS
On the highway trading east from Thomas
vile to the village of Boston, and within four
miles of the former, are situated the vegetable
and fruit farms of Thomas e. Blackshear,
the MessrS Varneaoe, of LIE Conte pear fame.
We were among these farms few days ago
and noted with great pleasure the increase Of
way, the excellent character of the work and
the remarkable growth of the fruit trees, ETC.
The model little vegetable and fruit farm of
Mr. Thomas E. Blachs shear, in the suburbs of
the town will fully repay visit at any season,
but particularly at this time when the young
vegetables, melons and fruit trees all begin to
show vigorous spring growth. But whoever
may visit his suburban residence and farm
should not fall to extend that visit mile far
ther, to farm number two, presided over by
Mr. j. w. Mckay formerly Of Kentucky, who
is fast revolutionizing this section and creating
boom in the strawberry business. This farm
has LIE Conte pear orchard which will proba-
bly, begin to bear next year, twenty-five acres
in waterInelons now making fine progress,
very superior variety 1t is in this part of
the work Mr.. Mckay hiss so distin-
guished himself, in shipping from
his farm in Kentucky nearly 800 COO plants,
preparing the soil, putting out. mulching and
bringing even to fruit bearing growth twenty
acres of strawberries in spite Of most unfavor-
able weather, having commenced IN the win
ter. walked two miles to his work large part
of the time, experimenting the erection of his
dwelling and removed his family from Ken
tucky. From bit of poor land of no signih-
cance whatever, MeSsrS BlackShear & NC
Kay have made it one of the most valuable
and desirable farms in Thomas county and
we have no doubt will be sold in few years
for fabulous sum, as inquiry by Northern
capitalists have already begun for bearing
orchards of the LIE Conte pear
Hard by is the fruit and vegetable farm of
as the proprietor of popular nursery, has re-
Gently taken into partnership Mr.. - Idener
formerly of South Florida, and having erected
extensive green and hot houses and supplied
themselves with an immense stock Of plants
These gentlemen have created business where
it did not before exist, and concentrated the
trade Of rich and populous section upon their
deserving gardens and nurseries,
Some of the largest and finest LIE Conte pear
trees in the county are to be found in the or
chard of Mr.. Sanford, with almost every other
variety of pear and other fruit trees adapted
to this climate, with the most extensive vine
ward in the county, save that of Mr.. John
Stark, few miles farther off on the same
road.
About one mile from the nurseries of
Messrs. Sanford & Idener is the famous LIE
Conte pear orchard of Mr.. L. L. Varnedoe the
older trees of which continue to surprise and
astonish every beholder. First with their inn
mense giant like growth of wood; second,
with the evident strength and vigor Of their
mig lty branches, and third with their most
extraordinary fruit bearing capacity. Some
OF these trees though but dozen years from
the cuttings, having yielded their owner as
many bushels Of fine juicy pears: But
from the parent tree in Liberty county, we
passed inadvertently by the little poor
spot of earth which so rapid
ly changed hands three wears
ago on account of one hundred LIE Conte pear
trees, set there by Mr.. Thomas E. Blackshear
and having now become the largest pear
orchard in the county, has long since risen
to that OF many thousands. 1t is the property
of Messrs. Sanford, of Thomas, and Thompson,
of Sumter county, who, evidently by the con-
tinued extension OF orchard, foresee the
coming LIE Conte boom, and mean to be pre-
pared for it. Eight hundred young trees were
added to this orchard last winter, and between
the young trees a fine prospect for large
melon crop may be seen at this writing.
Continuing along the same highway, we pass
the well regulated farms ef Charles Vann,
Kinnon, Sr, Uncle john, and Mrs Jane
Mitchell, to that of a pair of bachelor Gran
gers, nine miles from town, and situated among
the fertile hills and valleys of the Aucilla.
We allude to that Of Mes RS John and
Duncan McKinnon, two young farmers
noted for sober, steady habits of morality,
industry, intelligence and thrift. A brief
VISIT to their residence and farm revealed the
secret Of their prosperity, in timely good work
in every departments OF the farm-good fences,
neat premises, tidy household Gn the care of
the best of maiden sisters) and evident pains
taking to do things we'll Hare we saw
log potato house constructed above ground,
chinked with clay, divided into stalls or Gellals,
with overhead ventilation through ceiling
which cut of auy caId OF dowy air that
might pass through the roof, and
sew a good lot Of well preserved pota
toes from the old crop. There was q
creditable garden of vegetables, and tha gen-
eral crops of the farm in good coalition, with
plenty OF moisture. On this place we noted an
admirable prospect for peach crop. but from
Seeding trees, while the popular hybrids ex-
hbted little or no fruit at all and the fact
confirmed our oft expressed opinion. that our
section must return 60 seedling trees before we
can expect anything like steady remuneratlve
peach crops.
THE GENERAL CROPS
of the section visited, wa should say, though
late on account of the late spring weather,
promised as well as could be expected, and
worked up to time during the remainder
of the season, will douhtlesa result
in acout the usual harvest of our climate and
soil. Corn fodder, peas and potatoes can be
abundaDtly provided for through the months
of May and June, and any shortness indicated
in the grain and forage supply may thus 10
remedied in time. L. G. B.
The Cost of n Modern NeWsnanar