The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-02-26
BY THE THOUSAND TONS.
BIG INCREASE N SAvANNAH'S
FERTILIZER TRADE.

The Years Trade Expected to Go From
10 to 25 Per Cent. Above That CT
Last Year-Dsaler5 Rushed With
Orders-Ths Season Late but the
Shipmsnts Far Ahead of What
Was Expected.
Savanuah's trade In fertilizers will be
over $1,000 tons this year, judging from the
present volume of business aud the dealers
and manufacturers estimates.
This estimate includes all fertilizers
handled from this point, those manufact-
ured here, those manufactured elsewhere
and sold here by Savannah houses, and
those sold here by the agents Of northern
manufacturers. The amount handled by
the latter class is very small compared with
tho other two.
The dealers are up to their ears in work
now, working nig1t and day almost. en-
oeavoring TO oil orders promptly and get
out their shipments on time. The ship
ment Of fertilizers is now at its heaviest, as
the shipping season virtually closes by the
nrst week in April
AWAY AHEAD OF LAST YEAR.
A MORNING NEWS reporter who stirred
around among the guano men yesterday
picked up few points. The season began
late, but the orders TO date are equal to
thos9 for the same period last year, and
from all appearances the amount of busi-
ness will exceed last years by 10 to % per
cent.
prominent dealer said there are two
reasons why tho business has not been a
great deal hee yier than it has been. A
great many merchants and farmers we're in
debt and were late getting in condition to
purchase their fertilizers, and besides a
great many held their cotton a great deal
longer than usual. The second reason, and
one which business men outside the guano
dealers have no idea OF, is the terrible con-
oltion OF the country roads in this state for
the last several weeks, caused by the bad
weather.
THE BAD CONDITION OF THE ROADS.
The roads, which are never very good,
nave been very bad this season, especially in
the upper portion of the state. In fact, the
newspapers in that section have not been
able TO talk of much else but the mud and
the weather. Hauling on these roads was
very difficult As the condition of the roads
begins to improve the orders are improving.
The dealers are making no complaint of
lack OF orders now, however. but are we'll
satisfied to keep up with them as
they are received Some firms have taken
their travelling men off the road and have
put them into the shipping Offices. Some
dealers are 1000 or 5000 tons behind in their
orders.
ORDERS PILING UP.
To the question whether the amount of
fertilizers sold this season will be greater or
less than last season the reply was that it will
doubtless exceed last seasons by a consider
able amount The amount shipped to date
Is In excess OF the same period last season,
6Amand 10
Single orders are received for hundreds of
tons. One firm received single order the
other day for 800 tons.
Savannah's territory includes Georgia,
South Carolina, Alabama and Florida,
taking in almost the whole of Georgia.
Southern and Southwestern South Caro-
lima, Eastern and Southern Alabama and
Northern Florida. Along the Central rail-
road and branches, the East Tennessee and
the Savannah, Florida and Western, with
their connecting lines, Savannah dealers
are holding their own well, but have not
made any special extension of territory,
There hos been some increase in the de-
mand from Florida, caused by the gro with
or the truck farming business.
The shippers say they have received very
fair treatment from the local railroads in
supplying them with cars. The rolling
stock OF other lines is Of great assistance to
the railroads, as cars coming here loaded
with freight for this point are loaded with
guano and sent back instead Of being shipped
back empty.