The Dawson journal. (Dawson, Ga.) 1878-18??, 1883-05-17
MELONS AND MONEY.
Enterprise aud Pluck.

As the dingy old freight pulled
In to our depot on last Tuesday
morning number of expectant
and anxious passengers stood ready
to get aboard. For days, a trip
to the little station of Morris had
been talked of by some of our en-
terprising citizens and this proved
to be the occasion selected. Among
these passengers were n. w. Do
zier, r. L. Melton, w. r. Melton
and the writer. The first named
three are interested in the culture
of watermelons at the above named
station, and the object of this visit
was to inspect the prospect. "All
aboard" rang out from the con-
ductor and at once all made rush
for the caboose. Once inside and
pleasantly seated the conversation
was naturally enough directed to
truck farming, and notwithstand-
ing the rattle and roar of the cars
the interest was kept up through
out the entire journey. At Wards
our little party was reinforced by
the accomplished and entertaining
Crittenden. The Colonel at once
adapting himself to the surround
ings joined in the conversation
with as much ease and dignity as
II he had made the subject of
trucking" a lifelong study.
While he is disposed to look upon
this new industry with great favor
he exercises his usual Characters
tic of caution in discussing it.
The Colonel was frank to admit
that the farmers in Terrell possess
ed many advantages in truck
growing that was denied their less
fortunate neighbors in adjoining
counties. He thought that the
complexion and quality of our
soil rendered it peculiarly adapt
ed to this sort of work, and he en-
tertained no doubt that it would be
made a success in Terrell if only
pursued with diligence and ener-
gy. Finally we reached Morris, a
small station on the S. w. r. r.,
Just eleven miles below Cuthbert.
Here we were greeted by half
dozen or more gentlemen with a
kind and cordial reception. Seem
ing to divine the nature and object
of our mission all hands began at
once to tell of the beauties and
wonders Of that famous seventy
acre watermelon field. The oldest
gentleman Of the party, in his i'm
patient haste, cried out, "Tll bet
you what's a fact, there's the finest
watermelon patch in Georgia.
Another, but a younger man, join
ed in by saying, gentlemen, that's
the biggest watermelon patch |
ever looked at; it is the prettiest
sight l ever saw" and sure enough
it was. Like the celebrated queen
of ancient history we had to con-
fess that the half had not been
told. Imagine a field of seventy
acres In watermelons gently un-
dulating towards the warm, sunny
south, with vines running here and
there and everywhere, from seven
to eight feet long, loaded with
blooms and little melons, and YOU
have a picture in your mind that
in reality exists at Morris Station.
The Messrs. Melton & Dozier have
what we consider little
fortune i'll sight Under favorable
circumstances, estimating the pres
ent by last years crop, they can
not fail to make net profit of
some four or five thousand dollars.
These gentlemen deserve to be
congratulated, for they have dis
played pluck and enterprise
worthy of the highest commenda-
ton. 1t is proper to add that Mr..
A. J. McLendon, the gentleman in
charge of this field of melons, de-
serves to be equally compliment
ed, for he has managed this bust
ness with a skill and perseverance
that few could exert. Leaving
Morris at 1910 our little party
returned home feeling that they
had been amply compensated for
their pains. We shall go to Nor
ris again when the melons are