Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-02-07
TOTAL DESTRUCTION
Of PEACH CROP IS
FEARED IN GEORGIA
Trees in Full Bloom and Cold
Wave viii DevaSte the Crop
Declare EntomoIogist and
Growers

general feeling OF depression and I'M
easiness is reported among peach growers
throughout the state OF Georgia and It is
the opinion OF experts that the crop this
year will be almost totally destroyed be-
fore the peaches make their appearance
upon the trees.
II is a generally conceded fact that one
or more severe cold spells are usually ex-
perienced in this state during the month
OF February. Peculiar weather conditions
have existed during the recent past which
have caused the blossoms TO break into
fun bloom on practically all trees In the
southern portion OF the state and in the
northern section blooms are appearing,
although they are not as far developed
ENToMOLOGIsT WORRIED.
z. L. Worsham, state entomologlst'
stated Friday morning that the outlook
was very blue and unless weather condi-
lions continued moderate during the re-
nainder OF the month the chances were
the peach crop would suffer great dam
age.
Senator w. s. West. Of valdosta, who
was a visitor at the state capitol Friday.
stated that in that section of the country
the peach trees were in fun bloom and
that growers were fearful OF a total oe-
vastation of their crops in the event OF
cold wave.
Assistant State Entomologist A. c.
Lewis. who is in Thomson, Informed the
local members of the department of agri-
culture that blossoms were appearing on
the trees in that section and that the out
look was very blue for the crop this year.
For many years Georgia has been con-
sidered one OF the foremost peach sec
tons in the United states, the products
from this state ranking among the hrst
L - - xrya0 G10HT-
ed a bumper year in the peach crop and
tho official records show that the output
was more than 500 carloads. In former
years this record was equaled but In some
Instances the crop only amounted TO
about 1900 carloads.
OUTLOOK is GLOOMY.
From the present outlook Il is feared
that the crop this year will fall below
any previous years record and that Geor-
gia will have to be the recipient OF snip
ments ~of peaches from other states In
order TO meet the demands OF the public
for this article OF diet which has become
a favorfte for household use during the
spring and summer months.
II is generally conceded among all
growers that the only thing which can
save the crop this year will be an early
spring with no sewers cold. In the ex-
IRENE southern section OF the state the
effect or hgnt colo waves cah oe ,As,
what abated by the burning of rubbish
and brush in the orchards, which will
prevent frost on the trees, but IN the
northern sections this viii not prevent
an almost total destruction Of the crop.
FRUIT EXCHANGES VIEW.
At the Georgia Fruit Exchange it was
stated that existing conditions were not
thought to be of such a serious nature to
the prospects OF the peach crop for the
year. 1t was the opinion generally among
the men In that office that the crop would
not suffer any material damage unless
the warm weather continued for few
DAYS and was followed by heavy rain.
In this event It was thought that the de-
veIopment of the blossoms would progress
to such an extent that cold spell would
be OF great damage.