Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-10-26
PART I.

Who has not heard Of the famous Hood
river valley OF Oregon and the magnifi-
cent quality OF the apples produced in
that section? The fastener unacquainted
with the facts might naturally suppose
that there were thousands upon thousands
OF acres OF land devoted to the cultiva-
ton OF apples in some OF the favored sec
tons of the west. and while IL Is true
that in certain localities marvellous de-
velopment in Orcharding has taken place.
one rides for hundreds OF miles through
q country where as little fruit is seen as
anywhere else in the United States. IN
the Hood river valley proper something
ike la000 acres Of land are devoted to or
ehards and a good part Of this area is
yielding fruit at the present time. There
are probably s0.eo0 acres Of land available
for cultivation in this section and the
valley Is fayorably located in many par
ticulsrs. the climate probably being one
Of its greatest assets Undoubtedly there
ere other sections in the west where az
pies Of very superior quality can and
win be produced in the near future. Some
OF these sections are already attracting
the favorable attention OF the world. but
Il Is a serious mistake TO presume that the
Hood river valley or any other OF the To-
caIifies which are now being developed
possess all the favorable conditions for
the cultivation OF apples Of SUPERIOR mer-
Il to the exclusion Of the balance OF the
United States While these western COM
nunities deserve commentator for their
pioneering efforts and for the splendid sue
cess they have achieved II Is impossible
for one accustomed to living in the east
to appreciate the complete and thorough
manner In which the country has been
exploited Internationally. thousands up-
on thousands OF dollars have been ex-
PENDED BY the railroads. by various COM
munities and individuals to portray to
the world in the most glowing terms the
possibilities OF these different sections.
While money has been made by apple
growers IN those sections and Will still be
made the fact that unlimited profit can
be obtained with greater certainty there
than elsewhere IS a doubtful proposition.
IN the Hood river valley. for instance.
there Is an ample growers association
which IS in reality a close corporation and
only permits two grades OF very superir
apples to 90 on the market Controlling
the supply Of apples from a limited sec
ton and which are naturally Of good quail
fly and OF the most attractive coIoring
IMAGINABLE Il Is nosSible through this CO.
operative arrangement for them to OBJ
tain a good price and make the apple
Just now. however. the demands for these
lands are Increasing very rapidly and an
acre OF Wild land will cost the purchaser
from S200 TO 500. When you consider that
the clearing and planting must follow and
that several years must be spent In walt
ing for any returns. IL win be seen that
starting an apule orchard In Oregon calls
for the expenditure Of a good deal Of
money.
This much by way Of introduction to
the subject OF apple growing in certain
sections OF Georgia and its possibilities.
II Is a strange thing that here in the
east we have possessed for hundreds Of
years opportunities for the development
OF certain speciaIties. as for example, the
growing OF a superior grade Of apples
In the northern section of Georgia, but
which have not been exploited as they
should be. We have lacked in some re-
spects the auda ciousness Of the western
er and the community spirit which has
enabled the development Of many OF their
enterprises. Moreover. the natural condi-
tons Cor the production Of many crops
have been so favorable that IL has not
been necessary for the tiller OF the soil
10 exert himself TO the same extent
forced upon the westerner by the fact
that he must irrigate the greater part
OF his land and must exercise the great
est care and skill in producing and haE-
Ing hts crop in order 10 get il on the
far eastern market in good condition.
and produce Il in such quantity as TO en-
able him TO pay excessive freight rates
and stu leave a profit
II has been known for many years that
there were sections Of Georgia where a
very superior quality OF apple could be
produced. and it seems rather remarka-
bic that so little attention and effort has