The Van Buren press., 1895-11-09
FARMER AND PLANTER.
ABOUT HORTICULTURE.


ABOUT HORTICULTURE.
~ ssstA Peculiarly the Hone Of u
HoFtieulturist.
The south Is peculiarly the home OF
the horticulturist It 10 true that In
many respects we have been behind
some sections Of the north. but this Ii
because We have neglected to seize our
advAntaees and make the best possible
use Of them. For the past twenty
years, however. . metamorphosis has
been going on in the south and par
ticularly along the lines Of railway
leading FROM the south to the centers
of trade and commerce. In antebellum
days and in the period just following
the war. the immense traffic which
has since then developed between the
two sections was undreamed OF.
The south consumed vast guam
tities of the bacon and flour OF the
north and paid for II with cotton; but
now the south is in very large meas
ure raising her own bacon, Is produc-
ing much Of her -four. and her cotton
crop goes on increasing. in addition
TO which we are sending each year In
ever-increasing quantities fruits and
vegetables to supply the tables OF the
north. This traffic begins in mid-win-
ter, while the north is still frozen to
the core, unaffected by the balmy
breezes which sweep the gulf and
warm up the southern soil. In Janu-
ary and February, In Florida and
Louiaiana and southern Georgia, Ala
bama, Mississippi and Texas all garden
products, including those of semi-trop-
ical regions, are growing unprotected
from frost in the open fields. and
where the business has been devel-
oped are being shipped northward. As
the season advances the center of
heaviest shipment moves northward
until 1t loses itself in the regions i'm
mediately surrounding the great
northern cities, with which, on ac-
count Of distance and freight rates,
the southern shipper can not compete
after the season opens to the northern
growers By the time, however, the
southern grower has marketed his
crop. which to him has passed out OF
season, ant he turns his attention to
other crops In turn which have not
come in the north. or supplies the
northern markets with such products
as can not be raised successfully there
at all.
Thousands Of farmers in the south
have realized small fortunes from
products which twenty-five years ago
were never raised except for home con-
sumption. The pioneer of these prod
ucts has been the strawberry. about
contemporary with which may be
mentioned onions, raddishes. lettuce,
all of which have been quickly fol-
lowed by scores OF other small fruits
and vegetables
The growth OF these in the south for
shipment has practically abolished the
period when fresh vegetables can not
be found upon the tables Of even the
poorer classes. The field Is prac-
t!cally unlimited. As the country
grows In population and wealth
the business Of the fruit and vegetable
grower increases. The time has passed
when the smaller fruits and vege.
tables were largely regarded in the
light Of condiments to such staples as
bread and meat. The earth will pro-
duce more in weight and life-sustain.
ing power of, the former than of the
latter per acre. They are becoming as
much necessities as meat and bread,
and this is lesson all horticulturists
should endeavor to teach.
The south is peculiarly suited to the
business. The soil is largely of a light.
warm and sandy nature. thereby be-
ing better suited for such products
than the northern soil By coming
into market weeks and even months
before the same products in the north
are mstured. the southern growers has
gathered his crop. has realized on It
and is out of the way. II he fnds it
then improbable to ship north he has
left his own home market which is not
q thing to be despised, and which is
constantly growing in Importance Is
manufacturing plants move southward
and cities grow in population. Already
New Orleans, Mobile, Atlanta, Augusta,
Savannah. Nashville, Knoxville, Chatta.
noogs and Memphis. not to mention
scores Of smaller cities, are giving
markets that are mines of wealth to
those who properly utilize them.
There Is no business where less capi.
tai Is required and returns more rapid
and sure than careful and intelligent
horticulture in the south. With a few
acres of land which cost him Q mere
pittance, a man can provide for his
own family wants and realize hand
some surplus to fortify against rainy
day.-Horticultural Review.