Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-23
THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

There Is quite an extensive interest der
veloping along the line Of diversified fruit
industries. II is hardly more than % years
ago when Mr. Samuel Rumph. of Marshal
vile. the pioneer in the peach industry Of
this state. began the cultivation OF
peaches on an extensive scale for market.
Since that time millions Of trees have been
planted and the business Of raising
peaches for market, in Georgia now
amounts 10 many millions Of dollars an
nuaIIy.
While other southern states. notably
Texas Alabama and Mississippi. are pro-
ducing peaches in considerable quantities
and OF very fine varieties, the Georgia
peach seems 10 have won the blue ribbon
for richness IN color and favor over
peaches produced In any other state In the
union. While q few years ago the peach
belt OF Georgia was confined TO the terri
tory south OF Macon, and In the neigh
b0rhoods OF Marshallville. Fort Valley,
Montezuma. Triton and other south Geor-
Ria points, ii was afterwards learned by
practical experiment that the red, iron
lands OF middle and north Georgia were
equal, IL not superior. to the gray lands
for the production OF the finer varieties
OF peaches. Consequently millions OF
yourfg trees are growing on the red lands
OF north Georgia thousands of which are
now in bearing and making their owners
rich.
IL cannot be denied that the extensive
DEVELOPMENT OF the peach industry In this
state Is gradually migrating toward the
middle and northern sections. Many hun
dreds of acres win be set out In young
trees In Jones and Jasper counties the
coming winter. while in Putnam the bust
ness has already developed TO nice proper
rfous II IS freely predicted that Judge
George Gober Of Cobb county, viii In a
short time be the peach king Of Georgia.
All along the line OF the W. & A r. r,
awA nj
Southern between Atlanta and Toccoas
thousands. OF acres OF good. stiff red clay
lands are being planted In peaches. Not
only Is this true OF peaches. but also OF
apples. grapes. plums. figs and berries Of
different kinds. Georgia is rapidly forg-
Ing to the front in the fruit industry. and
IN less than ten years the value Of her
fruit crop win not fan far short OF the
value Of her present cotton crop.
Overproduction.
There Is no fear Of over-production in
the fruit business The market for fresh
peaches. pIums. apples and berries might
be glutted for a short period Of time by an
unusually large crop. but the canneries
Will be there to take care Of the surplus
fruit and prepare 1t for the demands OF
the market at a later period There should
be more caunerfes erected now in all fruit
growing sections TO preserve that class OF
fruit which Is not good for shipment.
With the rapid increase in cultivation or
peaches and other fruits in all sections
of the state. and the development Of the
cattle industry. small grain and grasses,
Georgia farmers are destined within
few years to become largely independent
Of the unsatisfactory business OF raising
cotton With diversified res0rces any Of
the southern states can within a few
years make their agricultural interests
not only profitable and successful. but
also attractive and pleasant
The farmers Of Texas are making big
success operating truck farming in con-
nection with their fruit growing interests.
And the two departments should be oper-
ated in common The shipping facilities
Tor one are needed In the other. The
same markets are used for both. and the
cannery for peaches can also take care Of
the surplus vegetables Profit on the farm
IN the future lies in diversincation, and in
those sections which are favorable there
can be no more profitable industry than
that Of fruit and trucking. or raising cat
tie HARVIE JORDAN.