The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1891-09-29
The Fruits of the North.
PORT JERvIs, N. VI
80 Gnqf I1of 1Q0I

Sept. list, 1891.
JAURENs ADyERTIsER:
In sending q few specimens OF
fruit to q friend I'm Laurens, it oc-
cured to me TO say a few words
through your paper regarding its
production in these parts, and of
fer a few suggestions to readers in
your section. On my several visits
to your State, 1 have noticed the
small number of orchards and vine
yards, and the baroness OF the mar
kets in the towns, OF fruits OF the
various kinds.
Now, / am very sure that where
trees of almost every kind grow so
well, fruit bearing ones can be
made to yield. 1t is u matter /
think of simple neglect in planting
and then not caring for the trees
when planted,
All through this very region the
same condition of things existed
twenty-five or thirty years ago.
Now we usually have abundance,
and the demand of the market is
for q larger supply as the people
have como to perceive it's value as
u necessary article of food and con-
ducive to health.
Our town of ~ population Of only
ten thousand eXpends 100000 to
100000 each year for the same.
l mention this simply to show
the progress on this line and as
suggestive of how the community
can he brought to appreciate agood
thing when brought to their sight
and taste. There is hardly a home
in the towns, (not cities) which has
not about it apple, pear, peach,
plum and ounce trees and grape
vines yielding yearly to the family
some, or all, of these sorts.
When it is remembered that we
are living in q climate where frosts
come much earlier than with YOU
and here with care and attention
succeed-you certainly ought to do
50. Naturally, one after knowing
of your climate and soil, concludes
that the fault is with the people,
just as it "a with us in not plant
ing and not giving attention to the
trees when put in the ground.
Every kind except apples, per-
haps) ought to do as we'll in your
upper South" as with us.
l am aware Of your frosts nip
ping the peaches in Spring some
times-this could be met in part
by selection Of later kinds and
other means. The prime difficulty
Is to get people to start to grow
ing, and induce them to give to
the trees a tithe of the attention
given to the cotton plant. We
were, q few years ago. in the same
fruitless condition, as L mentioned
at the beginning of the letter.
Now, if you could SEQ the exhibits
of the various kinds at our County
Fair you would be amazed.
Knight mention that the editor
Of the ADVERTISER will probably
state where tho few specimens can
be een l should add that these
are by no means the finest, as
my friend who grew them retained
those to exhibit at the county fair
to be held here next week.
Within the corporate limits of
our town on 4 lot Of about three
acres those were grown by my
friend, w. j. Nearpass, Esq, who
kindly presented them. From one
of the trees he has picked eight
bushels-aDd it was comparatively
a young one. He has perhaps q
dozen varieties. The apples grew
in the same yard as did also the
plums.
l have written you these facts
not to 'boom" a tree nursery, (for
there is none here)-nor from any
personal interest beyond trying
TO show your people that they can
do rs we'll and better in your lat
itude if pains are taken to grow
fruit for the market and table.
=. W..