A TRIP THROUGH THE SOUTHERN ORCHARDS. 47 



After the meeting of the American Association of Nursery- 

 men, which adjourned June 23rd, we had the pleasure of visit- 

 ing the orchards of Central Georgia, through the courtesy 

 of the Georgia Central Railroad, and invitations of the 

 Orchardists. As we had visited the same section in 1892, we 

 were surprised at the immense increase in the planting. In 

 1892, the largest orchard of the section contained nearly 100,000 

 peach trees. On this trip we visited five orchards containing 

 755,000 trees. After we left Atlanta, we were taken to May- 

 field, Ga., where some 150 persons were met at the station and 

 driven to the orchard of Berckman Bros., which contained 710 

 acres, consisting of 130,000 trees, largely peach with a smaU 

 per cent of plum and pear. After a delightful drive we reached 

 the house and were royally entertained by Berckman Bros., 

 they having prepared a real old fashioned Barbecue, consisting 

 of eight sheep and four hogs and other good things in propor- 

 tion awaiting the hungry nurserymen. The tables were under 

 the shade of a great spreading oak, and the drive had created a 

 good apetite for all. Peaches were piled high upon the table 

 and such good ripe fruit at this season of the year was enjoyed 

 by the northern people. After a most delightful time in the 

 orchard, we returned to Macon, Ga., and stopped over night. 

 This is a very progressive city and has the appearance of being 

 very much alive and up to date. 



The next morning we visited the orchard of J. H. Hale, near 

 Ft. VaUey. This orchard contains 2,100 acres and has 250,000 

 trees. They employ 200 hands and will ship 250 cars of fruit 

 this season. 



Our next trip was to the Albaugh orchard, and here we found 

 100,000 trees in most excellent condition. As Mr. Albaugh is 

 one of the pioneers in peach growing, we were pleased to note his 

 success. We also had the pleasure of visiting the orchard of 

 of S. H. Rumph, the originator of the Elberta peach. His 

 orchard consists of 165,000 trees. He gave the nurserymen a 

 most hearty welcome at his home and we fuUy appreciated his 

 hospitality. 



Our last trip was to the orchard of E. J. Willingham and 

 G. M. Withoft. The Withoft orchard contains 110,000 trees and 

 they were in the best possible condition. In aU we visited five 



