90 
THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
PEACH ORCHARD EXCURSION. 
Interesting Trip to Mayfield, Macon, Fort Valley, Marshallville 
and Myrtle by One Hundred and Fifty Nurserymen After 
the Atlanta Convention -Georgia Barbecue at 
Berckmans Brothers’ Orchards —Testi¬ 
monial of Appreciation. 
After the convention the nurserymen were treated to an 
excursion of two days’ duration among the peach orchards 
of Georgia, the largest in the world. Boarding a special 
train on the Georgia railroad, under the direction of R. C. 
Berckmans and the assistant general passenger agent, F. J. 
Robinson, 150 nurserymen were taken to the Mayfield orchards 
of Berckmans Brothers where after a ride in fruit wagons 
through an interesting country, the party arrived at noon. 
A Georgia barbecue under a great oak tree awaited the excur¬ 
sionists. This was heartily enjoyed. Then after speeches 
by Hon. H. H. Cabaniss of the Augusta “Chronicle,” President 
E. W. Kirkpatrick, C. L. Watrous, C. T. Smith, G. L. Taber 
and John C. Chase, the orchards and packing house were 
visited. The orchards were established in 1898. Forty or 
fifty carloads of fruit will be shipped from them this year. 
Berckmans Brothers grow the Red River, Carman, Mamie 
Ross and Elberta varieties. They ship to all the large north¬ 
ern cities. They have 710 acres in peach orchards. A 
shipment made on Monday, for instance, will be on the Bos¬ 
ton market on Thursday. The soil of these orchards is sandy 
with a clay subsoil and it has a good natural drainage. 
The nurserymen were much interested in the packing of 
the fruit. Three of the girls there employed can pack a 
carload of peaches in a day. 
Proceeding on the journey the party reached Macon in 
the evening. Early on Saturday they boarded a special 
train on the Central of Georgia railroad and at 9 A. M. were 
at Fort Valley where they were met by J. H. Hale and other 
peach growers. Flat-topped wagons upon which were a 
number of peach baskets, some of which were upturned to 
serve as seats while others were filled with ripe peaches from 
cold storage for eating, were in waiting. The party was 
driven through a portion of the great Hale orchards and 
wondered at the extent of the industry. 
Mr. Hale has 2,100 acres in peaches and has 200 acres 
more to plant. His trees range from one to 13 years old. He 
employs 200 hands and expects to ship 250 carloads this 
season. 
From Hale’s the party went to Albaugh’s orchards and 
viewed the trees and packing house. This is the pioneer 
peach nursery on a large scale in the section. 
At the Rumph orchards the party was met by Samuel H. 
Rumph and was regaled with peach punch on his spacious 
verandahs. Mr. Rumph talked of the famous Elberta peach 
which he originated and cheerfully answered the many 
questions asked. The packing house of E. J. Willingham 
and the crate factory at Fort Valley were also visited. 
It was a most interesting trip. Many photographs were 
taken by members of the party. All present were deeply 
appreciative of the courtesies extended and on the-way back 
to Atlanta on Saturday night the following expression of 
appreciation was prepared and signed by the president of the 
Association: 
IN RE EXCURSION FOR NURSERYMEN FROM AT¬ 
LANTA TO FORT VALLEY, GA., JUNE 24th AND 25th. 
The members of the American Association of Nurserymen, 
one hundred and fifty in number, desire to express through 
the president of the National Association their deep appre¬ 
ciation of the many courtesies extended to them, through 
the agency of Mr. Berckmans, of Augusta, Ga., by the rail¬ 
road companies and the peach growers of Georgia, during 
the two days’ excursion from Atlanta to Mayfield, Macon, 
Fort Valley, Marshallville and Myrtle on June 24th and 25th, 
1904. 
The trip was one of continuous hospitality of the heartiest 
and most generous sort and has given those who were fortun¬ 
ate enough to enjoy it an experience with true Southern 
courtesy that will be remembered always with the greatest 
pleasure. 
To the Georgia Railroad Company through its general 
manager, Mr. Thomas K. Scott and its general agents, Mr. 
S. E. Magill, of Atlanta, and Mr. W. M. McGovern, of Augusta, 
who personally conducted the excursion, and Conductor J. R. 
Cosby; and to Mr. W. A. Winburn, vice-president and traffic 
manager of the Central of Georgia Railway Company, and 
Mr. F. J. Robinson, assistant general passenger agent, Savan¬ 
nah, Ga., who personally conducted the excursion, as well 
as to Mr. J. M. Mallory of the industrial department; Mr. 
J. G. Carlisle, commercial agent, and Conductor W. R. Daw¬ 
son, the nurserymen feel especially grateful. These com¬ 
panies issued complimentary tickets and placed at the disposal 
of the excursionists fully equipped special trains which 
conveyed the nurserymen directly to the great peach orchards 
of the state, and quickly from place to place in the orchard 
district, so that the excursionists were enabled to see the most 
that was possible in the time at their disposal. 
In no other state of the Union have the members of the 
American Association of Nurserymen been so cordially 
received and so bountifully and continuously entertained. 
Every member of the party has repeatedly expressed his or 
her hearty appreciation of the courtesies extended, and all 
desire to record their gratitude. The fine equipment of the 
railroads traversed on this occasion and the excellent time 
made on special schedule have been noted. 
To Mr. R. C. Berckmans who arranged the excursion and 
who entertained the nurserymen at the Mayfield orchard 
of the Berckmans Brothers, and to all who assisted him in 
that novel and enjoyable entertainment, special recognition 
is given, and appreciation of the care needed to make such a 
trip a success is expressed. 
It is desired also to thank Mr. J. H. Hale, Mr. N. H. Al- 
baugh, Mr. Samuel II. Rumph, Mr. E. J. Willingham and 
Mr. F. G. Withoft for courtesies extended by means of which 
the visiting nurserymen were enabled to view the great 
orchards and the packing houses at close range and under 
the most favorable circumstances. 
Besides enjoying the trip to the fullest extent, the nursery¬ 
men have gained information which it will be their pleasure 
to use at every opportunity for the advancement of the inter¬ 
ests of the State of Georgia and her most hospitable people. 
E. W. Kirkpatrick, 
President American Association of Nurserymen. 
