The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-02-20
LOST A FINE TRUCK CROP.
ONLY sOUTHERN EXTREMITY OF
FLORIDA ESCAPED THE COLD.

Temperature Han Very Low
Throughout the state Night Before
Lnst-Reports of the southern EN-
press company show Destruction
OF ye@ets.bIes in All sections Save
the Far.south-C ompany Had Made
Special Preparations to Begin the
Movement ofthc crop, which Was
the biggest Florida Had Ever
Made-Aid May BE Given the
Truckers TO Replant
The reports received by Supt c. L.
Myers Of HE Southern Express Company
show that Florida suffered severely by
the cold snap. The loss has been great
some of the vegetable raisers having had
their entire crops dest royed. This was
the case Throughout nearly the entire
state, only those in the extreme southern
portion having been fortunate enough to
haye anything remaining.
The express. eompany's adviees from It's
agents indicated that a temperature of
from 30 to q degrees prevailed even as
far south as Miami. Tampa had 80 de-
grees, the vegetables in its neighborhood
being killed. Along The Gulf coast the
temperature did not run as low as in the
same latitude on the Atlantic coast, but
Punta Gorda is about the furthest point
north that did not suffer.
sanibel and the other islands on the
west coast that are under cultivation by
truck farmers escaped, and the farms
along Biscayne bay, on the Atlantic coast,
did NOT suffer. That is the extremity of
the peninsula, however, and everywhere
else sustained an almost total loss
The vegetable prospect in Florida was
srch, Supt. Myers said, as was never be
fore known The crop was just about
ready to move. Already shipments had
begun. and ii was expected that they
would daily become greater. The farmers
confidently expected good prices and a
ready market for all their produce, which
was well in advance of all up the coast.
1t was believed the entire crop would be
easily marketed
The Southern Express Company had
made special arrangements for handling
the crop. 1t was recognized that there
was more of the business in prospect than
usual, and the officials were put to it to
provide facilities for It's removal. Plans
had all been laid, though, and it is be-
lieved the system determined upon would
have been worked adrantageously for the
company and the truckers. The freeze
has put the plan out of joint, for there viii
now be scarcely vegetables enough to oc-
casion the slightest concern for their
movement until the farmers have re1ov-
cred their lost ground and got the crop in
readiness again.
Special trains, beginning tomorrow,
were to be run by the express company
for the benefit of the truckers. 1t had been
arranged that specials were to be run
daily from along the east and west
coasts, uniting q Jacksonvf lie. The train
was then to unite at Waycross with one
from another sec ton of Florida, and the
entire movement would be made daily to
Jersey City. Mr. Myers said he was con-
fident that there would soon have be n
dozen cars six days in the week had it
not been for the cold.
II is not known that the truckers will
put in another crop. The express COM
pany has made it a custom to furnish seed
and assistance afser such disasters in or
der to help the farmers make their crops.
This was done after the freaze of last
February. and the farmers were able u
make vey good crop, of which they mar
lcetedt fully two thirds before the compe-
ttion of sections further north made IL
impossible for them TO ship at a profit
The situation is being closely watched
by agents of the express company in
Florida, and reports Will be made as TO
The ;tdvisabillty of replaning. If there be
any who can show to the satisfaction of
the company that they are entitled to its
aid, IL is scarcely likely that il will be
Withheld as it is the desire of the officials
10 do what they can 10 help in The eX-
tremity the farmers find themselves. If
it is thought advisable that another effort
be made, the farmers viii get seed from
the company.
Atr Myers does not believe that the
orange trees in Florida were affected He
saws TWO OF three days of continued cold
are needed to hurt the trees. II is posi-
bic that those in the northern section
Of the state we're damaged some, but the
fruit is off, and it is doubtful if those
lower down the peninsula were injured
About peaches no reports have been re-
ceved, as some days are necessary after
a freeze to ascertain whether the buds
are injured If they turn black after the
freeze il is seen that they have been kill
ed.
The damage in Florida was wrought
night before last. IT was then that the
greatest cold prevailed in that state, the
wave requiring more time to get down
that far