The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-09-09
Fruit Growing in Mississippi.
es-Democrat.7

part Dl tub E-Ldtt Porcc-ecs 1udu y
advantages for successful fruit and
vegetable growing, and is attracting the
attention Of market gardeners of the
North and West. The winters are mild
and short, and successive crops of s
large variety of vegetables can be raised
during the year without outdoor culture.
I l. is claimed that in the extreme south
ern portions of the State, with reason
able attention, green peas, lettuce,
radishes, and a number of other vege-
tables can be raised every mcnth in the
year. The varieties of fruit which grow
in the State.successfully Include species
grown in more northern latitudes,as well
as those which nearly approach the
tropics.
The soil in South Mississippi is a
sandy loan, while higher up it contains
a great deal of lime; conditions consid-
cred favorable to profitable fruit and
vegetable growing. The fig tree and the
vine bring the most satisfactory results,
with but slight attention. In the
southern part Of the State the fig which
bears regularly every year natures its
crop in May and the second and more
abundant crop in June and July. 1t is
of long life, and neither tree nor fruit is
subject to disease. The dry season,
which naturally occurs about the time
of the maturity Of the fig, renders the
preservation and drying of it labor of
easy accomplishment. Peaches, pears
and apples do well, but difficulty has
been experienced in obtaining variety
of the latter which will keep well
during the winter. Oranges are quite
extensively and successfully grown on
the coast, and are considered equal in
flavor to the Florida oranges. The
Scuppernong grape is also largely grown
on the coast, and to a less extent
throughout the State. From it, excel
lent wines are manufactured. The
Concord, Catawba and Martha grapes
have also found much faver.
Mr.. S. H. Stackhouse, of Crystal
Springs Secretary of the Mississippi
Horticultural Association, gives the
Times Democrat the following informa
tion relative to the present condition OF
horticulture in Mississippi:
''The acreage in strawberries has been
largely increased during the last few
wears. There are about 200 acres in
strawberries at Crystal Springs, 30 at
Terry, 40 at Jackson, Miss, 600 at Mad
ison Station and 800 at Durant and
about 300 at other points, making about
1870 acres, most along the line Of the
Illinois Central. The most profitable
varieties are Charleston, Wilson, Cres-
cent Seeding and Sucker State. The
crop was not good this year, owing to the
drouth and other causes, but prices
were remunerative. The acreage will be
largely increased the coming season.
Plenty of manure, clean culture, suit
able varieties and sufficient moisture
are essential in order to insure heavy
crops Strawberries have always paid
well because they get into the market
early before the markets are glutted.
Growers are learning better to Distribute
to different markets, in order to secure
better prices"
"There were shipped from this point,
Terry and Hazlehurst, not less than
$780, 900 boxes of peaches of one third
bushel each, this season, to New Orleans
and Western markets. There are not
less than 1000 acres in peaches in the
peach belt, which extends about seventy
five miles along the Illinois Central.
New orchards are being planted annu-
ally, and more interest has been taken
during the last few years, owing to the
proftableness of orchards, and their not
being killed as much by frost. The
most profitable varieties are the Early
Rivers, May Beauty, Early Rose,
Tillotson, Thurber, Crawford's and
Picquet Late. Early varieties are
being discarded. But what has
stimulated the industry more. than
anything else, this season, was the
introduction of refrigerator cars. BY
this means, high express charges were
avoided, and the fruit reached Chicago
distance of 500 miles, and other distant
markets in good marketable condition.
The lands best adapted to peach culture
are the black sandy piney woods lands
adjacent to Crystal Springs, and the
deep red limy lands around Terry.
Peaches which grow on this soil are
noted for their beautiful red color and
deliciousness, similar to some of the
famous Michigan peach lands which
before the yellows predomiuated were
valued at 500 per acre.
ePeach culture is one of our growing
industries. Some attention also has
been given to the cultivation of early
varieties of apples, as the Astrachan,
Carolina, June and Early Harvest
varieties. They generally bring remu-
nerative prices. The LeConte pear Is
being successfully introduced, and figs
reached Chicago this season in good
condition On refrigerator cars. Grapes
do we'll, and the earliest varieties bring
| from to 10 cents per pound.
"The vegetable business has assumed
large proportions. From 10000 to
| &C, 900 boxes of tomatoes are annually
shipped from Crystal Springs Melons,
cucumbers, beans, peas, asparagus, egg
plant, pepper, squash, Irish potatoes
and early sweet potatoes are being
grown in large quantities to supply the
increasing demand of growing Western
cities. This is the first year sweet
potatoes have proved to be profitable
crop, bring 81 per bushel in the Western
markets. Progressive development caused
from extensive and increased railroad
facilities is destined to build up the South
and enhance the value of its lands.
Crystal Springs makes the largest
shipment of fruits and vegetables OF any
point in the State, the most profitable
crops being strawberries, cantaloupes
and tomatoes. The average yield of
of these is from $500 to $3.50 per acre.
For the season eff 1885 the shipments
from this point included radishes,
asparagus, onions, potatoes, beats, beans,
peas, strawberries, plums, peaches,
| tomatoes and melons, 10000 pack
ages in all, of the value of
100000, equal to half the total fruit
crop of the State in the census year.
Crystal Springs is one of the many
points shipping fruit Canton, Halle
hurst, Brookhaven, Vicksburg, Meridian
and other towns along the Mobile and
Ohio Railroad being heavy shippers.
Meridian sends 10000 to 250, 900
pounds of strawberries year: Terry
from 80, 900 to 5000 boxes of peaches.
At Louisville, in Winston county, is
the Jackson Vineyard. Among the va
rieties cultivated there are the Black
Scuppernong, Flowers, Tender Pulp,
Thomas and the Sugar of the Scupper-
nong varieties: also the Hartford, Ives,
Concord, Delaware. Martha, Lindley,
Aliens Hybrid and others. All do we'll,
and dry, sweet wine is made from
them. The vineyard is only twenty
four acres in extent, and produces 1200
gallons of wine which sell for 81 per
gallon. Others farmers in the neighbor-
hood have lately established vineyards
There are 400 acres in Winston county
under cultivation in grapes, ali of which
| are doing well and proving profitable.
| The Taffney refrigerator cars, now
used BY the railroads, have given thi.
early fruit and vegetable industry new
impetus The frnit formerly sent By
express paid such heavy freight charges
that all the profits were eaten up
whereas, now, large number of refrig
orator cars are run on the lllin0i
| Central mad carrrino the frnit To III.