MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 
127 
was quite fully and favorably discussed at the last meeting of the Georgia 
Horticultural Society. 
Some success with the Northern or European varieties of pears can be 
expected in portions of this region. The Kieffer, too, succeeds admirably, but 
the LeConte seldom escapes late spring frosts. As in the other parts of the 
South, blight is now too menacing a factor to warrant the large planting of 
pear trees. The longer blooming season giving a longer period for its rapid 
spread through the flowers, seems to explain the greater destructiveness of 
this disease at the South. 
Cherries should not be omitted in considering the orchard possibilities of the 
mountain region for there is much evidence that some of the sour varieties 
at least will do well here. There can be no question of finding a profitable 
market if they can be successfully grown. 
Taking the South as a whole, peaches are at the present time by far the 
most important orchard crop. The area where they can be successfully 
grown is very great and orchards can be grown very cheaply. From its 
geographical position the South should need to fear no rival in supplying the 
great markets of the Northeast with this ’fruit. The earlier varieties as 
they ripen in the North cannot compete successfully with southern grown 
Elbertas. The only competition that is really to be considered comes from 
the West. Texas is increasing her fruit production with giant strides, and 
we shall probably have to concede to her the markets of the great Northwest. 
It must be the province of the railroad systems of the Southeast to see that 
rates are so adjusted that we retain the advantage of our nearness to the east- 
ern markets. California is another competitor that cannot be wholly disre- 
garded. Even though handicapped by such great distance and such high 
freight charges, she still holds a portion of the fancy trade. This is not 
because California peaches are any better than those grown in Georgia, but 
the Californians have learned the importance of care in assorting and pack- 
ing fruits, and they are also favored by their dry climate which prevents the 
ravages of the brown rot and of the curculio. Even after its long journey 
across the continent the California grown peach will last longer on the fruit 
stands and subject the dealer to less loss than southern fruit. In seasons 
when frequent rains occur during the gathering season, this will to some 
extent be unavoidable, but there is no excuse for flooding the market with 
wormy peaches, or in sending the fruit unassorted and poorly packed, as has 
so often been done in the past. This is not the way to build up a market 
and to increase the demand for southern grown fruits. This packing problem 
is one that is likely to adjust itself for the poor packer w r ill unquestionably 
be forced out of the business. The complete control of rot and of the curculio 
by spraying or other means unfortunately presents some difficulties that have 
not yet been fully surmounted. No subject is of greater importance to the 
peach interests of the South for these two agencies cause more loss than all 
the other unfavorable factors combined. The San Jose scale problem that has 
attracted so much attention during the past few years has been attacked 
so vigorously that we can now begin to hope that the worst danger is 
passed. Let us hope that this success will encourage both growers and 
investigators to attack these older and even greater problems with the same 
vigor and determination. 
