The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-24
WEST TENNESSEE FRUIT.
THIS GROWING INTEREST DISCUSSED
AND EXPLAINED.
Col. A. s, Jessop, OF the Humboldt Mes
senger, Interviewed-Straw In
Abundance and of Splendid Quality
Peaches a Promising Crop.

1.-THE fruit interests In West Tennessee
far exceed any in the South" said A. S.
Jessop, publisher OF the Messenger, of Hum
boldt, yesterday in an interview with an
APPEAL reporter, land but few people out
side of the fruit section have any idea OF
the extent OF the business.
ut is about twenty-five years since Col.
John w. Rosaman, Of Gadsden, planted
the first strawberries and fruit trees" con-
tinued Mr.. Jessop, "and from the few
plants and trees then set out the acreage
has increased to nearly 1000 in the region
OF which Humboldt is the natural center.
1t is true that Gadsden, situated five miles
south OF Humboldt, on the Louisville &
Nashville Railroad, has the greatest acre
age OF strawberries, and ships more than
any one point in Tennessee, but Humboldt
has the greatest acreage in berries, fruits
and vegetables and the net returns for the
shipments. Third on the list of important
shipping points is Gibson. five miles north
OF Humboldt, on the Louisville q Nash
vile Railroad. Dyer, on the Mobile d
Ohio, comes fourth, then Jackson, Me-
dina, Henderson, Greenfield and Fruit
land, in about the order named.
'Of this acreage probably one half is in
strawberries, and in about two weeks more
the fields will be full OF pickers, working
from daylight until almost dark. picking
this much priced fruit Tor the Northern
markets. The first berries this year were
shipped from Humboldt, on the 18th, by
w. Y. Praines. They we're OF the Crystal
City variety, the earliest berry in this Sec
ton. Last Saturday six cases were
shipped from Humboldt and the same
number from Gadsden. These berries
will continue for couple OF weeks when
the main crop, the Wilson's and Sharpless
will begin TO ripen and il is then when the
season fairly opens. West Tennessee is
then the busy portion OF the state, every
body is at work and everybody has money.
The towns are full OF commission men from
the Northern cities, local agents are do
ing all in their power to secure shipments
TO the houses they represent and wagon
load after wagon load OF the bright. red
fruit is being driven to the depot platforms.
IL is then that the admirer OF Southern
enterprise should see us and note the great
advancement OF tie agricultural pursuits.
Tomatoes follow the berries There are,
probably, at Humboldt about $50 acres in
fully 80 per cent, and an increase in two
years OF nearly 100 per cent. Tomatoes
bring yield OF 500 per acre, aud although
il is considerable trouble TO care for the
plants until they are set in tho field, they
are over with so quickly that a crop OF late
potatoes can be planted on the same
ground. The average in other vegetables
is as yet limited, but every year more and
more OF every vegetable is planted, ms
everything can be grown in the naturally
rich soil.
Peaches viii be ripe about May 20, and
then is another busy time for the ship
pers, as the crop must be Immediately dis
posed OF. rs the early peaches are very ten
der and very rapidly decay. June apples
are, this year, an almost total failure, but
there are plenty Of varieties that follow
them 80 quickly that the loss OF them will
not be felt TO any great extent Coming
later arc the pears, large, magnificent,
lucious pearE, some OF which, the lie
Contes and keifcrs, cannot be excelled
even in California.
"The shipping facilities are excellent
. aud the railroad companies arc fully alive
10 needs OF the shippers. The Mobile &
Ohio promises to deliver ears 10 the llli-
nois Central. 80 TO get the early morning
delivery IN Chicago and the Louisville u
Nashville offers still greater inducements,
and promises to put their trains into
Chicago full hour ahead OF any other
road and thus get the cream Of the market.
The distribution Of the crop this year will
be better than ever before, as an associa-
ton has been formed by the leading
shippers, In fact, those representing 30
per cent Of the acreage, aud through a
business manager, located at Humboldt,
they will keep themselves posted n 10 the
best markets and prevent the placing Of
more fruit In city than can be readily
disposed OF at good rates. II the shippers
viii only stick together this year they will
accomplish more than by all previous or
CARNATIONS.
ITO sum up, let me say. that West Ten
nessse Is the garden spot Of the whole
South, and with as bright future rs any
place in the country. Humboldt Is tho
best town in the whole section. and
while not ON boom is rapidly growing
and the merchants arc doing first-cias.
business. II anybody wants good town,
with all the advantages. a ine climate
good land and water aud kind and so
ciable pcoplc send them 10 Humboldt