The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-01
PARNELL PEACHES.
The Eldest Brother of the Irish Leader
Fruit-Raiser in Georgia

Letter
"Our FAM Y said Ar. Parnell, as his eye
rested on blushing red peach with admiration,
has always been fond of sports or the ne!', but
at the same time has developed a strong inclina-
ton toward some kindred intellectual taste. My
great granduncle, John II. Parnell. was mem
Der OF the last Irish Parliament. He was offered
a peerage by the English government II he would
vote for the act OF the union, but he showed the
bauble from him. Thus it was that the spirit
of intense pa ri ,tisIa became with us matter
of family PRIDE. My father, John IL. Parneil,
who inherited the family estates IN Armagh.
when young man visited America: IL was
thus that he became acquainted with MISS Deiia
Stewart, daughter o. Commodore stewart VINO
lived IN BordentoWn. n. j. They were ,.FFleu'
returned to Ireland where family of twelve
children born unto them. AS the eldest son
am the head Of the house, and inherit the fam
lily estates, which visit annually. My brother
Charles Stewart Parnell has however, quite
left me in the shade since he has become the
leader of the Irish party, and has 1t IN MS power
to upset the English Cabinet whenever lie
pleases.
How did your brother attain bis prominence
in Irish politics" ~
THAT involves a personal narration said Mr.
Parneu Little as you may think OF 1t, was
the first of the family TO ruo for Parliament and
thus opened the way which Charles Stewart Far
nell has followed In 1872 my brother paid me
visit STAYING here two weeks. 1t was his purpose
to invest in the Birmingham iron fields, which
were being opened at that time. We went to New
Orleans, thence back TO Birmingham, where
something occurred to break up the trade. l
concluded to accompany Charles to Ireland.
While was On this visit Irish politics grew
Sizing hot. Dr. Isaac Butt was notwithstanding
the country on the question of home rule. At
dinner party in the city of Dublin, / turned to
my brother and said:
Charles You always talking politics; why
not 90 into Parliament the home rule plat
formp
The idea was indorsed by others present and
that night succeeded in getting him to con
sent to stand for Wicklow. An unexpected
difficulty here arose. My brother high
sheriff of the county. Unless the Lord -lieuten-
ant would release him from the duties of that
Office he could not run AS the Lord lieutenant
did not want to encourage the announcement of
lhome-rule candidates he refused the desired re-
lease. In this dilemma | was announced, and
ran the race, being defeated, but still breaking
the ice. This was in 1872. In 1874 my brother
ran for a vacancy which occurred in Dublin, bat
he, too, was defeated. Later still, however,
vacancy occurred IN the county of Meath, when
he was triumphantly elected DR.. Butt, who
was suffering from age, pushed my brother to
the front, and finally left him in the leadership"
What has been the secret of his SUGGEST
IA silent tongue and watchful eye When
/ was in London, last fall, / asked Charles if
ireland would ever gain anything from the agi
tation. She has gained great deal already
he replied. Everything cannot be secured In
minute
''Why do you not enter Parliament?7
II have an invitation now to stand for an Irish
county but it would ruin my business interests
here, so | must forego that satisfaction
'Mr. Parnell." said the correspondent, lit
seems that you have gotten a long way off from
your home surroundings How did you find this
placer?
'That was in 1866 was then young man
of twenty-five, just out of college, and sent out
to travel | had with me letters of recommen-
datiOn to several persons in various sections, be
sides having had personal acquaintance with
the family of Hon John p. King, of Augusta
Harry King had spent his Cambridge vacation
with our family in Ireland was advised that
there were excellent chances for investment in
the South, and especially in Georgia. Ny search
for suitable property led me this way. This
plantation, which then the property Of
Colonel Hughler, was for sale. Within five
miles Oh both sides Of it there two cotton
factories. 1t was my idea that thus located
there was money in cotton, so paid cash down
$4,000 for 1900 acres. To this original pur
chase have since added 800 making my posses
sions 1000 in all. For three years planted cot
ton, only TO find it delusion."
1t was in this fortunate moment that Mr.. Par
nell made up his mind that there was money in
peaches. The country, in its soil and climate,
was suggestive of the southern part of Italy. AS
q venture he planted, in 1868. fifteen acres in
Hales early and several other Northern varieties.
These varieties, though pressed by the nursery
men, were not successful for shipping purposes.
They rotted on the way were extremely sensi
tive to the weather, and were altogether what
you might call holiday peach The receipt of
$50 for single bushel in New York city, how
ever; attested the fact that there was money in
peaches. and that the only difficulty to solve
the variety most suitable for our climate.
II found it necessary said Mr.. Parnell, 'to
have recourse to English varieties 1t was clear
that hard, firm peach, which would bear hand
ling, would be gold mine. In 1871 l brought
from England j, 900 budded trees-the Beatrice
the Early Rivers and the Early Louise found
these three varieties to meet every requirement
They will bear shipping as we'll as apples; their
flesh is sweet and the skin is firm. The frSt
shipment of the Beatrice brought $40 bushel
These varieties are known as the half cling The
Beatrice is red-colored peach, oblong in shape
with soft flesh and tender taste. The Early
Rivers is white skinned, with pink shading, Just
the picture of pale college girl with a spot of
red paint on her cheek. The Early Louise has
pinkish skin, is white feshed and firm.
The Alexander peach Mr. Parnel continued
is boosted by nortculturists Just because it is
fashion. While admit its excellent quality as
table peach just from the tree, | must say that
it is altogether unfit for shipment. 1t is easily
bruised is sure to rot on the way, if indeed, the
whole crop does not rot before it falls from the
trees. The Early Hale. which l tried first and
abandoned, rots on tho hands of everybody ex-
cept Mr. Berckman, of Australia, who always
succeeds with them
"How do you account for such differences?"
st is altogether matter OF experiment. In
different localities the varieties show different
results There is only way to attain success
in peach growing. You must select your ground
and experiment until you strike the particular
variety suited to your local conditions Then
press the growth of that, throwing your best
peaches upon the New York market, when you
will dispose of everyone offered.
ITO come back to the subject in hand, how
ever. he said: have developed a hybrid to
which has been given the name of Parnell. This
peach is destined to rank among the peach family
as the LIE Conte does among the pears. | secured
it from an accidental Seeding l made my first
shipment of this peach FIVE years ago, when it
went off at $25 bushe l have now Z 900 trees
of this variety. 1t has dark red skin, white
flesh, and is firm and hardy for shipment. The
next is the Foster peach of yellow skin, saffron
flesh, and firm mold But one crop in three Of
this peach, however; is nj to snip OF the
cheek / have over 5000 trees. have spent
much time in experimentng. and believe that |