Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-15
DUR GROWING INTEREST IN TRUCKINt

According to the census OF 1895. 5,7SSlsl
acres were devoted to vegetable grow
ing i'm the United States. This consti-
futes per cent Of the acreage devoted
TO all crops, and while Ia per cent OF the
improved land was utilized In the grow
ing OF vegetables. the returns on the land
devoted to vegetables amounted TO $42.0e
per acre. and for all crops to 5000
ed by s.. s10.I Sc. vegetables were worth
While all our farm crops were represent
Ss42I7OISS or SIS per cent OF the total
value of all crops. The south shared ex-
tensively i'm this business, as shown by
the fact that Virginia grew SS,OS3.24
worth Of vegetables. Texas, Ss.6N- 24s,
and Missouri. s.. e. 50a In Maryland Sc
per cent, and in Florida 5 per cent Of the
improved land was devoted TO the pro
ductiOn OF vegetables. while the value or
vegetables in Maryland represented 1888
per cent. and in Florida ZS.7 per cent OF
the total crops grown. The production
Of Irish potatoes increased fOur-fold in
the south IN the past decade, the south
Atlantic states producing 12.15o.74S BUSH
els worth S. sS1.072. and the south CEN
trail states, S,s1ssls bushels worth S,076.-
es5 In 1889. LOO. ST farmers reported the
growth OF sweet potatoes in the United
States. 5sT ~ acres being devoted 10 the
crop which was worth about SS,S16.2O1,
or one-ffth OF the total value of the Irish
potato crop OF the United States. The
value OF the sweet potato crop per acre
was sass. or considerably more than
that Of the Irish potatoes. The crop is
chiefly raised in the south, Georgia de-
voting 70.se0 acres TO il and North Caro-
lima 30 acres. The south Atlantic
states grew AL per cent OF the crop, and
the south central states 500 per cent
The counties devOting the largest acre
age to sweet potatoes were Accomac
county, Va, i. 495 acres with yield or
aooa,S14 bushels; Northampton. Va, g.
500 acres. yielding 1.054SO3 bushels, and
Johnson county. n. c., AIS acres, yield
ing SO. $50 bushels.
Onions have not been extensively grown
IN the south as yet. In 1SSS the south At
antic states reported eaS, ia bushels worth
$50 as. and the south central states. ss7.6S3
bushels worth SAD, $50. The growth Of Ber-
suda onions in Texas is Of rather recent
rigin. but II has assumed very sub
stantfal proportions in some sections OF
hat state and threatens to a considerable
sxtent the supremacy Of the Bermuda is
ands In this industry. This means that
some millions OF dollars annually sent 10
he Bermuda islands win now pass into
he hands of Texas farmers. and thus
further tend to enrich the south.
Miscellaneous vegetables were cultivated
IN -1T6.es1 farms I'm the south Atlantic
states in 1879. the value Of the crop being
Halls 30 In the south central states mis-
.eIlaneous vegetables were grown on 49,
Al farms, the value OF the crop being
S.761. SIS. Vegetables were grown in ex-
.eSs OF home needs on 4S.T76 farms in
North Carolina. AL farms in Texas. S.
81 farms in Virginia. s. .o0S farms in GeOr-
gia. S3.5S4 farms in Tennessee. and Ass
arms in Missouri The largest acreage
vas in Maryland. with Virginia. Texas
md Missouri following in the order
named. The values OF the crop in Mary
and was 1882 IS: in Virginia, s. s6S53
and in Missouri s. 81. $50. Baltimore coun-
y. Maryland. devoted 1878 acres to veg
stables with a value OF sS1S5S5; Norfolk,
Virginia, 6.Ss7 acres with a value of S7o5.-
Sc
In Georgia and Florida the watermelon
interest is becoming a great industry,
thousands of cars being shipped from
.hese two states annually. The relation
1f vegetable farming to the fertilizer
business is shown by the fact that $50
vas spent per farm for commercial plant
food In the South Atlantic division.
The fundamental relation of truck and
vegetable crops to the economic develop
nent OF the south is shown by the fact
maj In leSo the Falues OF tneSe crops IN
he south Atlantic states aggregated
81. SO. 20, and in the south central states.
cs, s7AsI2 This was ia and per cent
respectively of the total Of all crops pro-
Iuced in these sections. 1t appears from
hose figures that the production Of truck
and vegetables is a much more important
industry. comparatively speaking. in the
south Atlantic than in the south central
states
The canning industry has developed
with marvellous rapidity in the south
since 1855. In 1850 pickles and preserves
Eere canned to the value Of s.. 407. 3i3, and
n 1900 to the value OF S21.507. 046. The
pickles, fruits and vegetables canned in
SO were worth S7S.175.S so. This will give
some idea OF the phenomenal growth OF
his industry throughout the country. 1t