The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-23
DAMAGE IS SLIGHT
REPORTS UPON FRUIT AND CROPS
ARE ENCOURAGING.
LITTLE INJURY REPORTED.
DIFFICULT TO GET SEED TO RE-
PLANT DAMAGED COTTON.

ters-Winds and Cloudy Weather
Prevented the Frost That WOuId
Ordinarily Have Accompanied
Such Low Temperature - From
Southwest Georgia the Reports
Were Less Encouraging Than
Those From Other SectiOns-Fenrs
of Fnrmers and Railroad officials
Are Now Relieved.
The general nature of the reports re-
ceived by the railroads yesterday from
the fruit-growing and farming sections
was encouraging, as they indicated that
the crops had not been materially dam
aged. From agents at one or two of the
points from which Information was ask
ed were received reports that were less
and it would seem that the. cold snap did
not pass without causing some injury.
Had the low temperature not been ac-
companied by weather conditions that
prevented the appearance of frost, the
result would have been disastrous. The
high winds and cloudy sky prevented frost
forming, and to those conditions may be
Despite the Threatening conditions of
the night before, no frost Termed yester-
day morning around Savannah. and so
with but a very little damage from the
cold winds of the day before yesterday,
the truck growers have safely weathered
the cold snap. The only damage done in
the vicinity of Savannah so far as can
be learned, was the blighting of the Gu
cumber and canteloupe crops of Mr.. C.
E. G. Fell Some of the other plants may,
of course, have been retarded in devel-
opment for a few days, but the damage
from this account is too slight to be cal
culable.
The thermometer yesterday morning
registered exactly what it had on
each of the two previous days,
A degrees. Later in the day it went
much higher, however, the maximum for
the day being SO degrees, whereas the
maximum for the day before was but 81.
The temperature is still away below the
normal, though, as the mean yesterday
was but 81 degrees, while the normal is
GS. The month has now an accumulated
deficiency of 112 degrees, and the year of
269 degrees. The rainfall for the month
is short of the normal, 10 of an inch, and
for the year, SO.
The state forecast for to-day is, fair,
except possible showers in the northern
portion; warmer in the northern portion;
tomorrow fair, variable winds
President John M. Egan of the Cen
trail Railroad expressed his satisfaction
yesterday in receiving encouraging re-
ports from the interior of the
state. He and other railroad officials
lad feared that the crops would be cut
off materially by the cold, but reports
from other lines We're of the same char
ecter as the Centrars, and apprehensions
have been relieved.
Railroad officials share the fears of
farmers in the early spring. when there
is always danger from cold snaps. These
fears had about passed, however and
none thought there was very much dan
ger 1t was considered that the season
had advanced so far that the weather
would continue warm, but the descent of
the cold from the north on Friday dis
PEELED this idea. The same belief, after
the passage of the cold snap, is stronger,
however, and it would be a great surprise,
indeed, if frost should appear.
From. the Office of Traffic Manager f.
H. Hinton of the Central were sent out
instructions to agents at peach-growing
centers on. Saturday for them to send in
reports of the effects of the cold. The
following were the reports received:
Cuthbert-The general opinion is that
the fruit in this territory is not seriously
damaged by wind and cold weather to
date.
Albany-One of our largest growers,
Mr. Morris Wealosky. says: From my
observation, do not think the fruit up
to now preceptibly affected by the cod
weather, as we have missed the expected
frost, on account of the prevailing winds
The damage to. canteloupes and melons
from the wind will be a least % per cent.
to the crop that is up now. The serious
obstacle now is the scarcity of seed, and
only few can be procured. l will make
q critical examination this afternoon and
give you more positive information.
"A later report says: mo further change
in condition of fruit and melon crop out
look, as contained in my letter of yes
terday, which L confirm until other no.
tice."
Observation-Disclosures was no frost last
night; high wind here for past SO hours;
no damage to fruit crop-this is opinion
of growers"
Dawson.-"It is the general opinion of
peach growers that the fruit crop has not
been materially damaged by weather.
High winds last night prevented frost and
while the cold may have done slight dam
age, so far the crop is safe"
Fort Gaines.-'I have conferred with
Mr.. Paullin, and he does not think that
his peaches are yet damaged, as we have
had no frost. For past three days we
have had very severe winds and extreme
cold weather for Aprii-and all the COT
ton that was above ground will have to
be planted over"
GAINESVILLE. Worm to-day and fruit
safe; this is the general opinion
Arlington.-"Have called on several
fruit growers, and they advise me peaches,
watermelons and cotton are all dam
aged some but cannot advise as to what
extent under two or three days. Some
think the damage will not amount to
much, while Others think will amount to
one-third. We had no frost, and what
damage we sustained was from wind. Cot
ton is two-thirds killed, but
not too date If can get
seed to plant again. watermelons about
third killed"
Fort valley-"No damage to fruit so
Ear"
Griffin-"No frost Saturday or Sunday
night and fruit growers advise no dam
age has resulted so far to fruit from
low temperature"
Forsyth-"The last two days cold has
not caused any material damage to fruit
or crops"