Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1903-01-30
AMERICUs. Ca. JAN. 80. 1903.
FRUIT CULTURE IN GEORGIA.

some timely suggestions on the fruit /
industry. The article is by Mr.. E a
Ross, and Is as follows:
In 1867 Mr.. Samuel H. Rumph Of
Marshall7ille, Ga, then a lad about
sixteen years OF age, began growing
peaches and other fruits for market. |
and Notwithstanding the discourage
ments incident to embarking in a new
and untried enterprise, and the many |
predictions of failure made by his |
kindly disposed but i'll advised neigh
bors, he perseyered until he succeeded |
in building up one OF the most pros /
porous industries in Georgia or the
sonth. For many years he has enjoyed /
princely income from the sale Of nur- /
sery stock and fruit and has seen his
neighbors, following in his lead, pass
from the narrow rut OF the cotton
planter into that of prosperous fruit
growers.
The business has grown and spread
until nearly every section Of Georgia
and her neighboring states IS growing
fruit and deriving splendid incomes
from this source.
It is not the object Of this article to
tell the story Of Mr.. Rumph's success,
but to point to the fact that others,
following his example, may SO change
their methods and kinds of crops
planted as TO coax from the soil much
better income than has been derived
from the .an cotton policy" Of the
past.
1t is a fact that when any crop is
grown on large scale it develops many
enemies unknown to the small grower.
The peach has proven no exception,
and we now have to contend with San
Jose sea-, brown rot, borers, peach
rosete, curculio and other formidabs
foes, which are being fought with some
success under the able direction Of our
state entomologist. When these dis
eases and insect pests have been per-
mitted to get a firm hold, it is wise to
pull up the trees and start over.
These enemies can be controlled by
applications of remedies, and the bust
ness Of fruit growing is not doomed to
failure, as some who have suffered are
prone to believe.
It is not the intention of this panph-
let to name the remedies and appli-
ances necessary to successful fight,
but to impress upon the grower the i'm
portance of keeping in touch with the
state entomologist and following his
suggestions. His labor is done at the
expense of the state and viii save
money to the fruit grower if he is will
ing to profit by it.
Now is the time to set out an or
chard, if not done earlier in the fall
The usual distance is fifteen feet each
way. the ground being thoroughly
broken with two-horse plows, and the
rows for peach trees laid off in checks |
and opened out with double-wing
ploYs, the Mallory pillow being well |
adapted to this purpose; one or two
pounds OF commercial fertilizer being
used to the tree. this being applied
round about rather than Immediately
under the tree, and well mixed with
earth, as the roots of the young trees
should not come in contact with the
fertilizer.
The first three years, cotton is gen
orally planted in the orchard, as this
saves the cost of cultiyating the trees,
the crop Of cotton usually paying this
expense After three years, the land
should be custivated for the benefit of
the orchard. peas or ground peas often
being sown without detriment, and by
many thought to benefit the trees.
The best market varieties are Carman,
Wadden, Early Belle, Georgia Belle
and liberia.
The package used in the standard
Georgia crate, know as the six-basket
carrier. Fruit should be colored but
firm and lacking forty eight hours of
being ripe when it leaves the orchard. |
The Central of Georgia Railway Co |
has ample facilities for handling this
crop, well iced refrigerator cars being
provided wherever shipments are offer
ed in sufficient quantity to load a car.
Small shipments may be forwarded to
a common point and consolidated into
carloads where shippers have arranged
for their agents or commission men to
look after their consignments and for
ward them to final destination.
The peach is the principal fruit
groTn in Georgias but, while for