The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-02-03
PEACH GROWERS
FORM ASSOCIATION

McBee, Jan. 2S.-The "orchard
day" meeting held in the interest of
fruit growing in this section here to-
day was well attended. Much interest
was taken in the advancement OF the
peach industry.
Il. G. Berkman, of Macon, Ca, one
ef the largest growers of peaches for
market, delivered the principal ad-
dress, outlining the main points in
the successful production of peaches
in the peach belt Of Georgia, which
is the largest peach producing Sec
tion in the United States. Mr.. Berk-
man said conditions at McBee were
ideal for peach growing on a COM
mercial scale, but that proper care
and attention were necessary for a
full realization of the profits of this
industry. He related numerous in
stances from his 2S years of success
fnl experience in peach growing,
showing how lands similar in eyerv
respect to those here were made to
produce thousands of dollars from
peach orchards. Mr.. Berkman advo-
Gated cooperative marketing associa-
tions,> mentioning the success of the
Georgia Fruit Growers exchange,
which successful exchange was ex-
plained in detail. Mr.. Berkman speaks
with authority, as he has spent his
life in growing peaches in Georgia
and now has 900 acres of bearing
peach trees.
w. K. Beattie, federal extension
horticulturist of the United States de-
partment of agriculture from Wash
ington, discussed various phases of
the peach industry, telling of sue
cess in this industry realized in the
other Southern states. Mr.. Beattie
was very favorably impressed with
the possibilities Of commercial peach
growing in the sand hill section and
is strong advocate of cooperative
marketing. He gave a detailed dis
cussion of all phases Of peach grow
ing from site selection of the orchard
to marketing.
Among others who spoke were
George p. Hoffman and A. f.. Schil-
letter, extension horticulturists of
Clemson College; j. w. Scott and j.
N. Mcbride of the Seaboard Air Line
railway and J. A Caldwell, another
peach grower from Lafayette, Ga.
These speakers made short and in
teresting talks relating fully all
phases of this promising industry.
j. A. Kerr, of .McBee presided at the
morning session and E. S. Asque at
the aftefhoofi session when the NC
Bee Fruit Growers association was
organized. w. L. Mccoy was elected
president and C. X. Mcleod, secre-
tary and treasurer. The purpose of
this association is to foster fruit
growing in the sand hill section. 1t
was decided at this meeting to adopt
the name Carolina Fruit Hills for the
section instead of the time worn ap-
pellation sand hills The many
guests were entertained by the citi-
zens of McBee at the Hotel Hamp-
ton.
Peach growing has for several
years been very profitable on a small
commercial basis here, and for ii
years crop failure resulting from
frost has not been known. 1t is conf
IDENTIFY expected that this meeting
will give such an impetus to this in
dustry that within few years the
Carolina Fruit hills will rival the
famous Fort Valley section of Geor-
,gia.
This meeting was held under the
auspices of the extension service of
Clemson college, the Seaboard Air
Line railroad and farmers and busi-