The Jennings daily record., 1902-11-03
THE APPLE COUNTRY
Southern Illinois Will Lead In Pro.
duction for This Year.


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Of the story Of the going down into
Egypt" but instead Of going for
corn, as Joseph's brethren did Of old.
the people of northern Illinois will buy
apples Of their southern neighbors,
reports the Chicago Chronicle.
Egypt" is the name given to the
extreme southern portion of the state
by the more fortunate people Of the
north, and for years the thrifty people
Of the corn belt have been slyly pok-
ing fun at the "Egyptians," but appar-
entity that day IL over, for with one
county 1000. 600 barrels Of apples and
the corn crop almost equal to the CEN
trail section a new era has apparently
dawned for southern Illinois. One mil
lion barrels Of apples! Large, red ap-
pies whose qualities in the market
make them the peer Of any fruit in the
world. This 10 the crop of Clay county
for 1900.
With an area exceeding 10000 acres
set to total exceeding 100000 trees,
one-half Of which are bearing this year,
this locality resembles one large apple
orchard. and one could imagine himself
in the Garden Of Eden. with apples
enough for Adam and his posterity for
all time. This immense acreage is
centered about the little city Of Flora,
the metropolis Of the country.
Possibly in radius Of Is miles will
include the greater portion Of the or
chard area. The southern Illinois belt
claims $4,000 acres, scattered over ten
~ r1op,
has more than one-half this total acre
age.
The average age Of the apple trees
is possibly - years, and the present
year is the first general crop since the
trees became Of bearing age. The
country seems peculiarly adapted to
the growing Of an ideal apple tree and
the production Of perfect apple. Ac-
cording to the best authorities some
Of the finest orchards in the United
States are located on the outskirts of
the orchard city" - Flora 10 COM
monty known.
From the eminence just north Of
town may be seen 1000 acres Of apple
trees. now loaded with fruit. The va
rieties known in this section are those
we'll known in the markets as standard
fruit. Color. favor and keeping quail
ties are the requisites which are need
ed to give an apple favor in the eyes
Of the buyer and later please the ap-
petite Of critical people. The Ben
Davis predomihates, as to the other
varieties, in proportion Of three to one.
The Jonathan, with its sleek. glossy
coat Of deep red. is the prime favorite
These apples bring fancy prices. and
there is an unlimited demand for this
splendid variety.
The harvesting Of this enormous
crop is a problem which the growers
have yet to solve. This is the first
general crop since the trees have
reached the age Of maturing and the
handling Of such vast amount Of fruit
within comparatively short time is
likely to tax the abilities Of the hortt-
eulturists. Preparations are under
way and everyone is hustling in order
to meet the rush which 1s now at hand.
One representative Of a large COM
mission firm said to your correspond
ent the other day that he had pur-
chased $4,000 barrels. This means $50
car loads or fully ten trains Of apples.
The magnitude OF the industry is not
apparent until the figures are consid-
cred.
In order to care for the grades Of
fruit, other than frst-c1ass nine large
evaporators have been built in this
locality. These plants when running
at full capacity will use $4,000 bushels
daily. They are marvel within them
selves. Not only do they dry the body
Of the apple, but the cores and pee1in9
are also evaporated, and they find
ready market.
These institutions turn out car loads
Of good clean stock and the quality 10
attested by the prices the product
brings in the market. The apple grow.
ing industry is as yet in Its infancy, and
those horticu1turists Of an optimistic
turn Of mind zee great possibilities In
store for this immediate locality when
later years test the permanency Of the
business. It has opened up new In
dustries and quickened the pulse Of
section where the wheels Of progress
had not turned for two decades. An
instance is shown by the location of
. $4,000 cold storage plant in this city
and still another where one Of the
evaporators, when the apple season
was over, used pumpkins and found
ready market for this fruit.
Negro Population,
The rapid increase Of the slaves un.
der the excellent hygienic surround
ings Of the old planta tons produced
quite enough Of them and to spare,
without bringing in any more. 1t is
an esta blished fact, owing to the hy-
gienic condition Of the old plantations,
that II the rate Of increase of the ne
nrn %or the Arsf hundred veara ~