Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-10-29

The things necessary to produce an ap-
pie OF superior quality are an abundance
OF moisture. freedom from late frosts. a
fairly fertile soil or one that can be made
So and an abundance Of sunshine. In
the west the place OF rain Is taken by irri-
CATION In the northern part Of Georgia
there are many localities where the rain
fall approximates 20 inches. This rain Is
for the most part well distributed; Il falls
largely as showers during the summer
time when growth Is most rapid and mois-
ture, therefore. essential for the quick de-
veIopment and maturity OF the fruit. In
the late summer and fall there IS usual
~ a period OF dry weather. assuring the
perfect ripening OF the fruit and the high
coloring 50 attractive and desirable from
the standpoint OF the grower and consum-
er as well.
While the soil In this section Is not nat
uralIy rich. II can easily be made so by
commercial fertilizers, as the experience
OF many apple growers has already dem
onstrated- This section OF the state. par
tichlarly Rabun. Towns and Hsbersham
counties. i fairly accessible to railroads.
and when these are reached shipment can
be readily and economically made TO the
great consuming markets OF the country.
In no section OF the United States Is tree
no more difficuIty in this section in hold
ing IN check through spraying the various
fungi and insect pests which attack the
apple tree than in a majority OF others.
Moreover. the experience and success at
tanned D. certain growers who have pion-
eered In this section OF Georgia show that
the claim made by certain sections that
they alone can produce apples to perfec-
ton Is without foundation. and these
same growers have shown from their ex-
perience In the last year or two that there
Is good profit In apple growing in this
part OF the south Moreover. a great va
riety OF apples OF superior merit and
quality can be grown successfully IN this
section. and some few varieties can be
raised to perfection.
In proof OF this statement II will not be
improper to cite the experience OF Col. J.
p. Fort, OF Athens. Ga, who owns an
orchard near Clayton, In Rabun county
This gentleman produced apples last year,
which he has named Forts Pride, OF the
most beautiful red color. and OF fine size,
texture and favor. A selection from these
apples was sent 10 the National Apple
Growers show. at Spokane. Wash, held
December 70 L. 1905. There were I, 500
entries at this show and the apples sent
from Mr.. Forts orchard were placed on
display BY the authorities OF the show
and did not have the advantage Of repre-
sentation or exhibit by the owner. Never
theless, these apples took second prize for
the best exhibit from the southern states,
and sscond prize for the best new variety
open 60 the world II should not be for
gotten that these prizes were carried or
IN TIE face Of the finest exhibits which
the western apple sections were capable
OF producing.
There are thousands OF acres OF land at
On elevation OF LOO 20 $500 feet above
sea level In the state OF Georgia ideally
adapted for the production OF apples
equal IN quality 10 those grown by Col
onei Fort Undoubtedly, there are many
localities in these same sections where
the land IL not adapted for the produce
ton OF apples, GsI there Is a great and
uudeveloped Industry awaiting the touch
OF genius In the northern part OF the
state. and while some may urge that the
land IL naturally poor. which is true, II
can be made rich by the use OF CONNER.
cial fertilizers, and this win NOT ada
more 20 the cost Of production and plac-
ing the apples on the market than the
handicap from which the western grower
suffers b. reason Of bis great distance
from the markets.
What Is needed TO develop the latent
energy OF this section and make II one
Of the great and famous apple sections
or the world Is the combined industry
energy and capital OF the people OF the
state II they realized what a financial
opportunity the mountains OF the north
ern section OF the state held for the de-
Fslopment OF profitable orcharding Il
would be but comparatively short time
before the valleys and coves and more
accessible mountain sfdau 49, $500
with beautiful orchards ana this section