The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-01
ABOUT LECONTE4 PEARS.
FACTS IN THE HISTORY OF THIS
PROMISING FRUIT.

Harvesting the Pears-How They Yield
Growth of Their Culture Where
They are ACKNOWLEDGMENT De-
mand for Young Trees-something
About the Bnght-Theories Concern
ing It.
TOWNSVILLE, GA, May 31.-Llke the
discovery of the Carolina phosphates, the
Introduction into Southern Georgia of the
LeConte pear has added many hundred
thousands of dollars to the resources and
taxable values of that section of the state.
The earliest pear to ripen on the continent,
and coming into market almost bsfore the
blossoms of the same fruit have fallen IN
the northern portions of the union, 1t is
sought after with avidity, and the demand
Is only limited by the production. A sue
cincU notice of the
ORIGIN AND HISTORY
of this popular pear may not be devoid OF
interest at this Juncture.
In 1856 Maj. John LeConte, an uncle of
the two distinguished professors of that
name in the University of alifornia. sent
from New York to his niece in Liberty
county, Georgia, Mrs. Jane Harden, several
young pear trees labeled of the 'sa I'd
variety" These were duly planted, but
only one of them survived. TINS bore fruit
in 1860, but proved TO be new variety
essentially differing from the 'Sand" The
distinction can be detected at a glance, as
was shown me an lchard near Thomas
vile, where the two are growing side by
side
From the cuttingssof this single stock.
which is still in full bearing. have been
propagated all the pear groves OF the state.
ana the countless young trees which have
been shipped elsewhere.
A popularity of the pear is the fact that
it is the only known variety that can be
grown successfully from the cutting, and
until recently has never been affected with
blight. the principal
PEAR COUNTIES
Of Georgia are Thomas, Brooks Lowndes,
Lee, Macon, Mitchell and Liberty; but
groves are springing up, more or less, all
over the southern portion of the state. and
even as far NORTH as Griffin.
The largest orchards are located in the
vicinity of Thomas vile and Smithville. A
few exceed 100 acres In extent, the ages Of
the trees ranging from one to twenty years.
When properly cultivated the young trees
commence to bear after the fourth year,
but the yield is comparatively Insignificant
until they are seven years old. After that
period, ii the seasons prove favorable, the
average annual increase Of fruit may Oe
reckoned at about % per centum. On the
10th of July or Whereabouts, the
PICKING SEASON
begins, and continues from three to four
weeks. The fruit is put up in crates aud
barrels, we'll ventilated, the former con-
tai ing seven eighths of one bushel. New
York, Boston, P iladelphia and Baltimore
are tho principal markets, the majority of
the ship nents going to New York.
A fair average for the Oldest tr is ten
bushels, though in exceptional instances
the yield is much larger, mounting up to
twenty-five aad tnirty Bushels Toe lar sest
prod ction on record is forty-two bus els,
which was obtained from tree grown by
Mr.. John McKinnon OF Thomas county.
This seems to be well attested fact.
RULING PRICES.
Last year QSSS the prics obtained per
crate varied from 81 50 to 50 25. ba rels
bringing all the way from So to IS 80 each.
Outside of the home consumption Thomas
county The past season shipped per exuress
$1,000 crates, which nett d over 81 per
crate. The barrels are included in this
statement, when was obtained from the
express agent at Townsville.
EXPRESS CHARGES.
The present rates are a, follows:
From Thomasvills by steamer via Savan-
nan TO New YORK tcratesl.... 1890. 40c
From Townsville by steamer via Savan-
nah 10 New Y rk (bolsl. ................ soc.
From Thomasvi.le by steamer via Savan-
ma to Philadelphia tcrates). 40c.
From Townsville by steamer via Savan-
nah to Philadelphia obls.)................S soc.
From Townsville by steamer via Savan-
nah to Baltimore (crates) ................ .SSc.
From Townsville by steamer via Savan
ma TO taltim re tbDls1 ...................76 roc
From Th Evansville by steamer via Savan-
nah 70 Boston crates. ....................40 zoe.
From Townsville by steamer via Savan-
nah TO Boston (obls ).........,.............S0c soc.
If for y arded by raj from to IA cents is
added on crates. and double that amount
for barrels. These rates, which are not
high, may be modified still further at the
opening of the harve t season.
PEAR ACREAGE.
The best posted pear growers estimate
the orchards of Thomas county to cover
1000 acres. Brooks county is also engaged
largely in the blu siaesS, and indeed all alo q
the line of the Savannah Florida and
Western. the Townsville and Albany, and
the Southwestern railroads young groves
are frequently to be seen. The nortnera
tier of Flo ida counties also have invested
heavily in this industry, and are reaping
rich returns from it. This is especially
true of the region about Tallahassee, Madi-
son, Monticello ami Lake City. 1t is i'm
possible 20 form a correct IDEA of the grand
total in acres dew ted to the
cultivation of LeConte pears, but it would
doubtless foot up very largely. The pres-
dent of the Horticultural Association of
Thomas county, Mr.. H. H. Sanford, says
the demand for young trees the past winter
and spring was never so great. All the
nurserymen sold out clean. They were
shipped even to distant and remote secti ms
of the country. The question is sometimes
asked, Why is it that cap talists are SO
eager to Invest in pear chardsf The
answer is obvious. Because they have
enriched many individuals, and il we'll
managed always prove remunerative.
Mr.. L. L. vARNEDoE
was the first to bring the scions of the
parent tree from Liberty county aud
demonstrate that they could be propagated
from the cuttings. RE is, therefore, the
father of the new industry. quired #
him what was the result of his fruit sale of
LeConte pears. He replied thus: In 1878
sold my first crate of pears in Boston, aud
it brought Sl2. The next year they readily
commanded in the northern markets from
So so to 81 per era e." No wonder, then,
that everybody Vi pted to plant pear
orchard, and lanes around Townsville
went up like magic, and are still in great
demand.
Mr.. Varnedoe viii ship this season 400
barrels, or about 1,2 0 bushels.
WHAT is The BLIGHT?
Acconrsnied nv Mr. Thomas r PIaoL