The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-20
FORTUNES IN CANE
GREAT INCREASE IN THE FIELDS
IN SOUTH GEORGIA.
DR.. WILEY'S INVESTIGATIONS.
WILL SHOW WONDERFUL DEVEL-
OPMENT OF THE INDUSTRY.

Years-2,OOO to 5000 Acres of Cane
Within a Radius of Fifteen Miles
at Cairo-10,OOO Barrels of Syrup
shipped From There Last Year
and the Shipment This Year Much
Greater.
DR.. H. w. Wiley, chief chemist of
the Department of Agriculture, made
the second trip of his tour through the
cane growing districts of Georgia yes
terday, this time visiting the south
western counties.
Accompanied by Capt. D. G.. Purse,
Mr.. James Menzies, general freight
agent of the Plant System, Mr.. c. Is.
Roberts, and a representative of the
Morning News, the trip was made from
Savannah to Waycross, where the par
ty was Joined by Mr.. D. F. kirkland,
superintendent of the Third division
of the Plant System, and Mr.. W. w.
Sharpe of Waycross, who accompanied
it on the remainder of the trip, which
included visits to Valdosta, Kinder
Low, Cairo and, on the return, Thomas
vile.
prominent citizens who had been noti-
fed beforehand of the object of the trip
and who in, each case displayed the
liveliest interest, and took every means
to give all possible information relative
20 the cane industry.
At Waycross the train was met by
Messrs. w. W. Sharp, G. r. Youmans
and j. w. Greer, who urged that a stay
over be made for the purpose of visit
ing the cane fields near Waycross, but
as the itinerary of the party made this
impossible the invitation, much to the
regret of the people who extended it
and to DIR. Wiley as well, was declined.
At Valdosta among those who well
coined the visitors were Messrs. ]. G.
Crawford, a prominent manufacturer;
j. M. Wilkinson, president of the Val
dosta Southern Railroad; Editor
Brantley of the Valdosta Times, Mr..
Will McRee of McRee Bros, who are
the largest planters in the county, if
not in this section of the state; VIM.
Roberts, manufacturer, and Col. Ben
Jones, one of the largest manufactur-
ers of fertilizer in South Georgia.
In the Kinder Lou Fields.
A stop of only half an hour was made
and then the party, under the guild
ance of Mr.. McRee, left for Kinder Lon,
where the McRee farm and cane fields
are located. Here was found by far
the best cane that had yet been seen
by DR.. Wiley. 1t is of the purple va
riety. and of splendid growth, some
stalks stripped, measuring eight feet,
and stout in proportion. DR.. Wiley es-
tirnated that the average yield to the
acre would be between thirty and
estimates that his crop will yield an
average of between $50 and 900 gallons
of syrup per acre. and for his entire
output he has a ready market at 80 to
35 cents a gallon. barrelled.. Despite
the excellent showing Mr.. McRae said
the quality of the cane is much be-
low the average for this part of the
state, a condition that he ascribes to
| unfavorable weather conditions early
in the spring. The crop of this years
| planting is only Sc acres. but next sea-
| son will be increased to rs acres. The
| fertilizer used for its production is
composed of potash cotton seed meal
and phosphate, and is usually applied
| 800 to 1000 pounds to the acre, though,
in this case because the land is new,
q less amount was used.
Center of the Cane Fields
How great is the interest in syrup
making in this part of the state is
shown by the fact that within three
|
increased over 200 per cent, and will
be increased next season even in great
| er proportion.
| 1t is believed to be only a question
| of short time when the industry will
assume huge proportions.
The Georgia Land and Improvement
| Company, of Lumpkin, is said to have
now options on over 100000 acres of
land in Clinch county which will be
| fa
ket and for raising cane. The COM
pany, it is understood is capitalized by
| Illinois and Indiana farmers. Its presi-
dent, b. f. Nyswander of Indianapolis,
is expected in Waycross next week.
when it is expected several of these
land options will be closed.
| At Quitman the Savannah visitors
were taken in charge by Judge Joseph
| Tillman and Mr.. w. A. Davis, who, in
the short time allowed by the schedule,
showed them something of the business
| interests of this progressive and thriv-
| ing town. Among the places visited
was the Board of Trade.
The prospects of the cane industry
were discussed at length. Many prom
inent business men were met, and all
expressed the views of Messrs. Davis
and Tillman. w. A. Davis & Co.
sell about $500 barrels of syrup a year.
The market, though until a few years
| ago was restricted to Georgia, but
now extends from Massachusetts, to
| Texas.
800 Per Cent. Increase in Acreage.
The last stop was made at Cairo,
where the mill of Mrs. NJ. L. Wight
was visited. This is the largest in this
section, and the most modern in the
state, having the Louisiana sugar pan
and using the lime sulphur clarifying
process. The product DIR. Wiley con-
siders the best he has seen in Georgia.
Cairo is the center of the syrup in
| custry. both as to production and ship
ping. Between 1000 and 5000 acres Of
cane is planted within a radius of flf-
teen miles, and the shipments from
Cairo last year were 10000 barrels. This
seasons shipment will be larger AL
ready shipments are being made to
Texas, five carloads being sent this
| week.
DIR. Wiley and party returned TO
brownsville, whence after supper they
| continued TO Waycross, en- route TO
| Jacksonville, where to-day DR.. Wiley
will deliver an address before the
| Florida Fair Association. Tomorrow
night DR.. Wiley and Capt Purse will
go 10 Brunswick where they VIII be
/ guests OF the Board OF Trade. They
win then return 10 Savannah. At
| brownsville they were the guests OF
Mayor Culpepper and several members
OF the municipal board.
se