The Dawson journal. (Dawson, Ga.) 1878-18??, 1883-06-21
Is Truck Farming a Failure ?

Is EFuck Farm ing q Failure ?
The ''heavy" editor of the Telegraph
and Messenger has written quite and elab-
crate editorial recently upon the failures of
the truck business in South West Georgia
As usual, this gentleman digs with a
trenchant pen, and he deals the truck bust
ness and its advocates some hard blows
| But, after all, his views m lst be considered
rs one mans opinion against the many
We are frank to admit, thus far, the truck
business has been a partial failure, at least
so far as the realization Of remunerative
prices go. But may not this be accounted
for in a reasonable, intelligent way and
spare the truck business and its friends so
much unnecessary chagrin? We think SO !;
and if the editor of the telegraph viii hear
us patiently and deal fairly with this bust
ness We will proceed to give what we con
| ceive TO be the causes Of this alleged failure
First of all, then, we remark, large
majority Of the truck growers in South
West Georgia were entirely without ex-
perience. Not only were they without
experience in regard to transportation and
the marketing Of their produce, but, also,
without experience in the planting and
cultivation Of this class Of products. But
few Of the truck farmers of South West
Georgia had learned the proper time for
putting their seeds in the ground: they
were at a loss TO know what kinds of seeds
to plant, and, indeed, many of them had
to plant such as they could get, regardless
Of judgement. Again most of our truck
farmers were compelled to plant just such
land as they happened to have, regardless
OF fertility and adaptability, while it has
become well known to most of them by
this time that in order to grow fine vege-
tables the land must have been previously
brought up to a high state of fertility and
cultivation by a series Of crops. The result
of all this has been, the vegetables grown
have been very inferior stock. Our truck
farmers were warned of this, too, in ad-
vance, and if they have suffered they must
bear it patiently and resolve to do better
! the next time. In regard to the Irish
potato crop very serious bhnder has been
made by many Of our truck farmers in
gathering them too early, while the vines
were yet green and luxuriant. The pota-
toes were found to be immature, and,
therefore, utterly unfit for Shipping long
distances. Indeed, so far as we have been
able to learn, all the truck shipped from
this section has been very inferior stuff,
and in the light of all the facts it is just to
conclude that it has resulted from a want
II proper experience upon the part of our
truck men. Sc fcr as the losses entailed
are concerned they will be comparatively
light, for, indeed, no one man ventured to
invest sufficiently largely to be hurt in any
event. The general howl, then, we APP
prehend. sis coming up" more from dis
appointed spectators and visionary news
paper men than from the truck men them
selves. So far as our observation extends
we have heard very little complaint among
the latter class, notwithstanding some of
them have sustained slightlosses. Another
reason might be assigned for the partial
failure in truck products. and that is the
cold, backward spring. Everything con
sidered, we see no reason, then, why our
truck farmersshouldb be utterly discounted.
The melon crop is not yet fairly on, and
any discussion, therefore what the melon
men will realize as profit, would he pre-
mature, speculation. 1t is well known,
however, that this crop has suffered very
greatly from the late rains, and the cror
will not be what was hoped and believed 6
few weeks ago. In the meantime there il
no reason why any man should become
discouraged. All gigantic enterprises have
at first met with opposition, and it woulC
be out of the usual order of events if tbi,
new industry Of truck farming should bt
made an exception to the general rule. Il
The meantime, as a matter of simple Justice
we promise to keep the ''heavy" editor O
the Telegraph well informed as to the re
suit Of all shipments from this point.