The Dawson journal., 1883-07-12
The Disappointed Truck Far
Ialers.
Quitman Free Press.

With the above caption for a text the
Telegraph and Messenger, of the 10Th inst,
INDUCES in some pretty severe criticisms
Of these newspapers and correspondents
who, during the past season, have over
done the vegetable business in Georgia.
The cap, which contains some truths, does
not fit the Free Press or its editor and we
take none of it to heart, but we fear that
or esteemed contemporary has fallen into
a similar error with the ''blowers' which it
mentions While we concede and derre-
cate the fact that the vegetable business
has been ogerdone by some parties we
join issue with the T. and NJ, at least so
far as this section IS concerned, and claim
ethat that Journal underdoes the matter
very considerably. We have been en-
thusiastic in the truck growing business,
but have never been crazy over it. We
have had confidence in its ultimate success
N South Georgia. and we are now satisfied
that it pays better than cotton and win be
a source Of immense revenue to this portion
OF the state at no very distant day. 1t
would have been singular indeed, under
the circumstances, had every one who at
tempted it made a grand success at once.
Such success would have proven more
injurious to our people than partial failure.
Everything must have commencement.
and we began the business here without
knowledge-of any of the details and with
out proper arrangement s9bout transporta-
| ton. For instance, when the shipping
season commenced the express rates to the
west amounted to prohibition. At least
one third of our vegetables were improper
" packed, improperly assorted and placed
in crates 50 frail that they would sea cely
hold together till they reached the depot.
We did not know how to ship OF where to
ship. One man would ship ripe cukes,
another would " ait for bis radishes to at
tain their full growth, etc. If the truck
growers Of this section could commence
the season over again with THE experience
they now have, at least fifty per cent. more
would be realized for the crop. We now
know, among other things, that the aesthetic
Bostonianswants nothing but wax beans
and potatoes Of the largest size, while the
plebian New Yorker gobbles I'D almost
anything, be it small Or great, tough or old
provided it is not entirely rotten. We
can sell our ollra to the civilized inhabi-
tants Of southern citiea, while the savages
Of the north viii not touch it. The truck
growers Of Brooks hold their regular sex
perience meetings, and are learning many
things that viii benefit them in the future.
As proof that our people are not dis
couraged, we are certain that much lar
ger acreage viii be planted in vegetables
another season. than, the preceding one.
The crop viii be better cultivated, better
distributed. 1t is quite probable we will
ship in car load lots and in refrIgerators,
thus saving at least fifty percent. in freight
and placing ouI' truck in market perfectly
fresh and sound. The idea that there is
danger Of ''clogging' the eastern Or west
ern markets with frst-class vegetables,
fresh and sound, is fallacious It can
scarcely be done. The thousand miles Of
intermina5le railroad which the r. and NJ.
speaks Of, is easily overcome when we
have refrigerator ears and ship in car load
lots, and if the production Increases here
| the demand viii increase there The as
sertion made by the T. and NJ that this
business has gone to keep the clement at
tachment company. as an exploded hum
bug, is not true Oh. likely to be true, so far
as Brooks county is concerned. We think
that the semi-tropical regions of South
Georgia will always lead Middle Georgia in
this business, as we now lead them in many
other matters, and we do not believe that
that portion Of the state which iS 50 fortu-
nate as to have the T. and NJ. for It's i'm
MEDIATE centre and radiating point viii IN
! jure.us in the line of competition. IN
conclusion we must say that we think the
T. and VI. has been quite as premature in
its condemnation of the vegetable business
in South Georgia as other papers have been
in their advocacy Of it. We have very
high regard for the opinions Of the able
editor Of the T. and NJ as a rule, but in
/ this matter h renders a verdict before the
case has been half tried, We move for a
new trial. Colonel, and knowing your fair
ness in other matters we do not doubt that
YOU will rive us Justice in this.