< iSeeetate HPO CHESRVESE seas teietatetn Histraitie ti 4 ie Ae i : : th ie at arate: SSI Spier eae eat pete MELEE i ae a ata! Sf o ; ae te ! i 3) pa ; i eth ss SUR eee gd a - : sett ei : a i i Le a BS ab tr oS ie Hi Ruegetnsa — wemeee e 3 See THE Trucking Industry Reprint of Extract from Annual Report for 1906 of E. J. Watson, Commissioner, to the General Assembly : Seer ur ISSUED BY State Department of Agriculture, Commerce and Immigration E. J. WATSON, Commissioner Columbia, S. C. 1907 Columbia, S. C. THE STATE CO., PRINTERS 1907 Levee NOS WSS HIYA CUINY 1g 0335 3 te 4 J ft & WV Lor, THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY In the trucking industry, South Carolina’s advance has been most marked. This State now possesses the “cabbage king”? of America, and the largest producing pecan nut groves in this country. It also possesses the largest tea producing plantation in the whole United States, and the product of this plantation is becoming known in all the markets of the world. While tea is scarcely a truck crop, I mention it under this head inasmuch as the industry is confined to South Carolina alone in the whole United States. I deem it my duty to give you some idea of the immense develop- ment of the trucking industry in South Carolina. It has been difficult, after the most careful investigation, to ascertain the exact acreage. The acreage of one man, for instance, was off at least 20 per cent. in 1906, yet there was an increase in yield. Fie averaged, however, 200 crates per acre, as against 126 crates the year previous. No attempt is here made to give estimates; only actual figures are given. Truck growing for market in South Carolina began in the year 1868, when William C. Geraty, now the largest shipper of cab- bage plants in the whole world, and his partner, Frank W. Towles, of Martin’s Point, Wadmalaw Island, began operations on a small scale. The present unparalleled development began about 1891, growing by leaps and bounds since 1goo, until at this time the Charleston district alone has over 30,000 acres planted in truck, counting in replanted land. The Department is informed that this year there will be an increase of several hundred per cent. in the bean crop; of 25 per cent. in cabbage and Irish potatoes; of 25 per cent. to 30 per cent. in strawberries ; asparagus will about hold its own, as will watermelons and canteloupes. Celery growing has been started, but is yet an experiment, despite good results, yet it promises well. There will be a marked improvement in the planting of lettuce, and an improvement in the quality. The quantity of tomatoes and other truck products will be about the same the coming year. All early truck did well, but the 38 inches of rainfall in June, July and August, which was unprecedented, caused practically a total failure of melons and other late crops. IkISH POTATOES AS COMPARED WITS S1zZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR. 5 Reliable reports show a great falling off in the North Carolina truck region, especially in strawberries. The region from Conway to Lake City is ten days earlier than Chadbourn, and this advantage is too great to overcome. There must be a great increase in the South Carolina strawberry belt when this becomes more generally known. The product of Conway and Lake City cannot be surpassed in America. In these regions the strawberry flourishes like a bay eree. Trucking conditions, especially market conditions, are being better understood, and with the aid of this Department, fewer mistakes will be made in the future. The point is fast being reached when truck growing is no more hazardous than any other branch of agri- culture when undertaken by intelligent men. As it is, truck is bringing millions of dollars into South Carolina annually, and the business is capable of indefinite expansion. Merely a beginning has been made up to this time. In this connection | deem it wise to incorporate in this report certain figures that have been collated as to this new agricultural industry, which is yet confined almost entirely to the coast region, and to direct particular attention to the accomplishment of the young men from Rhode Island, whose success and example has had a most stimulating effect upon natives following their example. VEGETABLES. Five-year Average, Charleston District. Irish Potatoes— Oe Cae se SAiretmer E e lbcatteeintwed oS ode 8,000 ce Olm lee tSt tame Shas As sic, oS, sl bids. Mut aue he o- cte! AERLOO; OOO iSoeeode WUT Selah ict uci's cy. anuvelc aie a tauge, aye Ne, « 400,000 POOPLOMIMIAC WANE ohn t. ¢. hay Sues eA ee ws es » $800,000 Sweet Potatoes— SII ON EREMEISS 42 25/0). | Cc ah ae Phe ns Uae UR TT 6 a tals 1,200 PTO PARSING Ins ye AMR nl «ci eee slr ecrclamectren esi 2 ace 32,500 Ps eGraLe Valie A megs «coal o's + a,a,ayeleerec © ens $12,000 Cabbage— pel Y OMAGH GMA 7 cere fae TuGie hide Nw) 6 as 7,000 Dict Olin tpesme ian. eee on eae iss sae, # S,.04e) +) x) s.gesO5O0,000 Wa pmominece Valier. et Sau sb okt dics ssa. aad. +e. 940,000 THE FARM OF THE RHODE ISLAND TRUCKERS IN BEAUFORT THAT Nerrep $10,000 In Onn Yuar. Asparagus— No. of acres .. No. of bunches .. Approximate value. . Cucumbers— No. of acres .. No. of baskets .. Approximate value. . Beans— No. of acres .. No. of bushels .. Approximate value. . Green peas— INiG.oL acres ,.. No. of baskets .. Approximate value. Other Vegetables— INGE Of acres: -:. Approximate value. Strawberries— No. of acres .. No. of quarts. . Approximate value. goo 540,000 $108,000 500,000 $300,000 2,500 S733009 $187,000 1,400 70,000 $70,000 2,500 $250,000 400 1,500,000 $120,000 All of the above figures are strictly net; the market value is far in excess of this. The total acreage of the Charleston District is 30,000, and the value of product $6,000,000. As several crops a year are raised on the same plot of ground, these figures hardly convey a correct idea of value. TONNAGE. Tonnage of fruits and vegetables, according to report made to South Carolina Railroad Commission, vide report, page 63: Southern .. Atlantic Coast Line .. Seaboard Air Line .. Other lines .. Total tonnage .. 88,606 57,237 55,852 12,116 213,01 8 Experience of Whipple Bros., at Beaufort, S. C.—These gentle- men, natives of Rhode Island, planted thirty-six acres at Beaufort in radishes; took off crop and planted again in radishes, realizing 10,000 from two crops net this year. They planted the same ground in beets; took off a good crop and followed this with cucumbers, Inaking a good yield. After cucumbers, corn was planted, making ver fifty bushels to acre. | Five (5) crops on the same ground in same year, in rotation, were yathered. Herewith is presented a’ picture of their field, taken in he early spring. They knew but little of farming at the outset. Mr. C. M. Gibson’s Experiment—From selected ground, five acres, fertilized according to his own formula, Mr. C. M. Gibson, on ‘onge’s Island, had the following experience with cabbage : ipee cuore suv Ghd ea emen nn PE fe ten ots: 2 Sean ae 1,500 crates aneact@.vieldatdinas magnet a io ian Oe 318 crates Total worth ($367 an acre), $1,835 net. Cabbage Plants—The cabbage plant industry has grown to enor- nous proportions. Exact comparative figures are wanting. Some figures for 1905-1906: hipped by F. W. Towles, Martin’s Point.. .. .. 4,000,000 plants hipped by W. C. Geraty, Yonge’s Island.. .. .. 40,000,000 plants hipped by Blitch & Co., Mepgett 9... ss). BEioGeaee plants ieaeuotGlanlestom District... :. 2... .. ce 2. 21,000,000 plants “CCLSIOSS 0 Ra Rene AUTO TR nr ge . -100,000,000 plants Waltie of above (100'¢ars)g0.6 ss... i 4 8s i EEO Gae) LARGEST IN THE WORLD. The following men are the largest in their. respective lines in the orld: Norman H. Blitch, Meggett, S. C.—Largest grower of cabbage ants, 1,000 acres. Began a poor man, working for small wages in g1. It costs $110,000 to cultivate his crop. His daily telegraph ll, during shipping season, is $100. Wm. C. Geraty, Yonge’s Island—Largest shipper of cabbage ants. Ships 40,000,000, worth $35,000. Has booked 100 cars, 90,000,000 plants, for this year’s delivery. Began poor. | John S. Horlbeck, Mount Pleasant, S. C.—Largest pecan grower. Tain grove 600 acres; two smaller groves with 10,000 trees each. nnual production ten tons. 7 ui ' ® a2 * we “ hal a av ¢F. ‘4 Ms oa =? 7 a ‘ne - * i a” \) Ae al ; a a ans 4: ir J : ® 1 A i 1 sh > % ae or oS na + (DOBBS BRQS,.g ‘il: b, || ov. 18 %& 36 | ST. AUG Sng? h Sa FLA. 4 a . > ; 3 sg KR