The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-11
RICE PLANTERS HARD AT WORK
EARLY SPRING PLANTING NOW
BEING GOTTEN IN.

Account OF the LOSSES ny INT
storms of Recent Years-The Re-
pairs to the Old Freshet Dam and
to the Plantation Banks Along the
River an Important Question for
the savannah River Planters 10
Consider.
The rice planters are hard at work put
ting in their early planting. The planting
IS delayed this year, because of the cold
weather of the late spring. Many who ex-
pect TO plant largely are said to have not
yet put In a grain. The work of getting
the lands in shape for the crop and plant
ing the early rice is going rapidly on now,
however. The second planting will be
made on the last tides of the present
month.
From such information as can be gath
cred from the planters, there will be some
decrease in the acreage this year in the
territory tributary to Savannah. This in
cludes the rich rice lands on the Savan-
nah, Ogeechee, Altamaha and Satilla riv-
ers, together with some lands across the
river in South Carolina. The decrease is
estimated as high as 80 1-S per cent. 1t
is thought that about 5000 acres will be
planted in Savannah's territory.
The disastrous storms of last fall prac-
tlcally wiped out a number of the plant
ers, the majority of whom had suffered
heavy losses by other storms in recent
years. That there should be two storms
in this territory in one season was some
thing phenomenal and totally unexpected
by the planters. One planter stated yes
terday that the planters weathered the
storm of September with small loss, and
with good prospects of not only clearing
expenses. but of having something to the
good. The October storm caught them I'M
awares, and almost the entire crop was
destroyed. On one large plantation of $50
acres not a grain of rice was saved An
other planter said that the repeated storms
of the last few years had simply wiped
him out, and he would be unable to plant
this year The last storm brought with it
a tidal wave which simply washed away
the entire crop in the fields.
The greater damage done by storms now
as compared with former years Is sub
jest of frequent discussion by the planters.
Mr.. Joseph Huger, who is one of the
ldI SSSl pidHttiS III lIlS SeCtiOil, III SPEAK
ing of the matter said: Il do not think
the storms are more frequent than in for
mer years, but they seem to strike Savan-
nah Oftener. Savannah seems to be a per-
feet storm center, In fact. Every storm
formed in the Gulf during the fall Of the
year seems to head our way. OF course,
storms from the Gulf may be looked for
at certain times of the year, and they are
as liable to move off towards Galveston. or
HiscissinD1 or int h.,
Atlantic, as they are TO strike in at this
section of the coast. Still we seem to
have had more than our share of recent
years In former times a severe storm
every twenty-five years was about the av-
erage."
'r@ere is no doubt of the fact,
though, said Mr.. Huger, that
the freshets in the Savannah
river have increased in frequency and
intensity during recent years. This is
not difficult of explanation. The country
along the river and especially along the
upper reaches of the river Is becoming
more densely populated each year and
| with the increase in population the lands
are being more thoroughly cleared up.
! There are now hardly any forests left to
| catch the floods and hold them back from
the lower river. Whenever there is a
! heavy general rain in the country up the
river the water pOurs almost Immediately
! INTO the river and the result is a freshet on
snort notice. twenty-fve-foot freshet
at Augusta means that the planters at
Savannah must look out and thirty-one-
| loot treshet there means a serious mem
ace, with the prospect Of heavy loss The
increase IN the river freshets is something
! which can be foTeseen, and which the
planters must guard against If the indne-
| try is to be continued"
In This connection Mr.. Huger was ael,sd
about the condition of the Savannah river
| treshet dam above the city and of tho
| plantation banks along the river generally
The tidal wave of last October not oniv
swept over and damaged the freshet dam
OUT wrecked many of The plauta ton banks
as Wen Inc damage was repaired, but
! me dam has again been injured recentlv
| The freshet dam is located a hour nine MI.
above the city. Ii was built a number Of
| years before the civil war nv tho ,ioa
Planters above the city for their mutual
| protection and has since been maintained
| assessments usually being made at 81
much per acre to keep the dam In condi-
Ton Inc dam does not extend along tho
river Dahk' out extends out perpendicu-
| larry to the river, being intended 10 sbu.
! on the fresh water, which, in times Of
| freshets, pours through the river SWARM
| from the rear, and would deluse the Man
tations if il were not for the protection
afforded by the dam. 1t has been renortod
that the dam was so seriously injured thai
IL would require a large expenditure to puI
Il in effective condition again.
The report as to the serious Injury to
the dam is Incorrect" said MIR. Huger
The damage to the freshet dam can no
repaired at comparatively small cost nroh-
ably about $500. The chief item of expense
to the Savannah river planters this year
IN the way OF dams Will not be in renairs
to the freshet dam, but to the plantatior
dams along the river. These were greatly
injured by the last freshet, and as several
of the plantation owners find themselves
unable TO plant this year on account Of
their losses, ii will be necessary for those
who do plant TO put their hands in tbo,,
pockets and repair all the dams. II is inst
as necessary to me, for instance. that tbo
dams of the plantations above me shonId
be in good condition as it is that INV our,
dams should be all right Tbis
will be an item of consider
able expense, but one that cannot he
avoided. 1t viii be necessary, of course
r..v- D.