Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-01-09


northern part OF the state took form IN
the minds OF some OF our early pioneers
more than IL years ago when Jarvis
Van Buren, and his companion. siias
Mcdowell. began TO collect and STUDY
the fruits OF that section OF the state
The origin OF the seedlings which they
found in surprising numbers Is not
known. but evidently the Indians haa
something to do with their development
in those days the lack OF transportation
facilities prevented the exploitation OF
this region as q fruit growing section
bv these brave men and their associates
OF that period. For some reason the
whole area was lost sight OF in the
mad rush which. took place TO the MIS-
sissippt valley, and IL lay dormant Tor
the greater part OF a century after the
investigations OF these two men had
been carried far enough to convince
them OF the possibilities of this section
for fruit growing. During the last -
years however. a number or gentlemen
have demonstrated by their success that
the belief OF these early pioneers was
werI founded. and this section Of Geor-
Ella now offers excellent opportunities
for investment and promises 70 develop
within the next few years into one OF
the notable fruit growing sections OF the
United states
The ffrst orcharding enterprise under
taken in north GeQrgia on a commercial
scale was IN the cultivation OF peaches
rather than apples. The centers of this
industry we're at CorneIla and. Mount
Airy. in Habershann county. These orch
ards have proven highly successful. and
because OF the excellence OF the fruit
produced hy a number Of fine old apple
trees growing in a semi-wild condition
IN that region the pioneers OF the peach
Industry were led to investigate the pos
sibfities OF the section for apple pro-
duction. The fine color and flavor Of the
fruit and the prolifcacy Of the old trees
when properly cared FOR led these men
10 see that apple production offered even
greater possibilities and more perma-
nent Investment than the CULTIVATION OF
peaches with the discovery Of these
facts progress in this section has been
rapid. and several hundred dollars per
acre has frequently been refused OF late
for orchards not over six to ten years
old. 1T Is doubtful il some Of the oest
hearing orchards I'm this section which
are accessible 20 railroads could now be
purchased for less than 81 COO per acre
The profit obtained per acre from some
OF these pioneer paintings is quite sur
prfssnEs one gentleman owning a tract
OF II acres OF l2-year-Old trees receiving
$500 for his crop some two or three
years ago. That he has made good
profit Is well known. but the figures are
not available at this time When you
consider. however, that the crop under
discussion melted in the neighborhood Of
SEQ per acre. the opportunity for ORCH
ardirr in this section OF the state on
q promtable commercial basis becomes
apparent Another grower In. this region
ranorts thar he received 300 gross
from three and half acres. OF land.
and undoubtedly other examples Of large
nrofits can be found and substantial ed
bv one who will take the trouble to in
vestfeate the region for himself and lind
out Just what the men who actually
own the orchards and are operating
them have, 10 say about the matter
The fact that the industry Is proving
profitable and is being developed along
rational lines is shown by the rapid in
crease in land values For Instance,
where land could be purchased several
years ago for s. an acre, most of that
which is desirable win cost now any
where from SIS TO $50 an acre. Choice
locations. OF course. will cost even more,
and in this connection IL is well TO state
that orchard locations should be selected
, with great care. Those desiring to in
vest in lands in north Georgia should
exulore the region for himself, and
should consult and advise with growers
who have made a practical success of
the business The location selected may
make OF mar the undertaking, since ap-
pies are influenced much by the char
acter OF the soil and may be set out on
locations where late spring frosts are
likely to destroy the crop every few
years What are termed relatively
frost-free locations, however. may be
found in close proximity to areas OF
land which are unsuitable for orchard
planting only because OF the danger
from late spring fFosts. These matters
must be taken into careful consideration
BY a would-be purchaser for the inter-
est OF the region viii not be promoted
by bad investments, and il is unfortu-
nate that these should be made where
there IS such a vast territory capable
OF apple production and the industry
is yet so much in its infancy.
The selection Of the right variety is
an important matter also nd emphasis
should be laid upon this point. There
are hundreds OF acres OF pecan orchards
in Georgia which are now just coming
into bearing and are proving a disap-
pointment TO the owners simply because
they put out Seeding trees ratner than
budded trees The undesirability OF
the seeding has been known for several
years. but when the excitement concern
ing pecan production first began a great
many persons did not stop to consider