3*H .S6 A3 o. < o * ^o * 1 •\ o *„s<^w" O S* Sap/ft?^-' \r '.rcSSXW O <^ •J* 7 o > V^ 1 * V .' THE Trucking Industry IN South Carolina Reprint of Extract from Annual Report for 1906 of E. J. Watson, Commissioner, to the General Assembly :-: :-: : . : : . : 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 fi — • co s . 1 B-^:cZ2k & **■* i 1 L Mt^*- * •tt ■^v^ii; >''€tt , Kr': ■aoo^ . . ■ "*3C M *"*~ ; ', log ■ r 1 ' »■ i i ■te>- k^HK*^ ■ •■ ■ tw 3 bM&-*\~~ : . ^^ ■hr<^ •| ■ COq^^ ': fla Lj— ^"^ ol ■ ° VJ>| ^ ■ ri 3Ei-^| rt * 1 kj _■■■ CC 9 rrf ■f osl IV. ajfe i flf O LjLm ^1 h -j «-■ I! Li 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, 1 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. lie 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 1900, 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. Irish Potatoes as Compared with Size of a Silver Dollar. 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 tree. 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 I 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 — No. of acres 8,000 No. of bushels 1,100,000 No. of barrels 400,000 Approximate value $800,000 Sweet Potatoes — No. of acres 1,200 No. of bushels 3 2 .5°° Approximate value $12,000 Cabbage — No. of acres 7,000 No. of crates 1,050,000 Approximate value $940,000 Asparagus — No. of acres 9°° No. of bunches 540.ooo Approximate value $108,000 Cucumbers — No. of acres 2 -5°° No. of baskets 500.000 Approximate value $300,000 Beans — No. of acres 2 -5°° No. of bushels 375-000 Approximate value $187,000 Greeu peas — No. of acres I '4°° No. of baskets /0,ooo Approximate value $70,000 Other Vegetables — No. of acres 2 -5°° Approximate value $250,000 Strawberries — No. of acres 4QO No. of quarts 1.500,000 Approximate value $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: S< mthern 88,606 Atlantic Coast Line 57- 2 37 Seaboard Air Line 55- 8 5 2 Other lines I2 - Xl6 Total tonnage 213,801 yy 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 £lO,0O0 from two crops net this year. They planted the same ground n beets; took off a good crop and followed this with cucumbers, naking 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 fathered. 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. ( ribson's Experiment— From selected ground, five acres, ertilized according to his own formula, Mr. C. M. Gibson, on fonge's Island, had the following experience with cabbage: 'ive acres yielded ^ crates Lach acre yielded 3l8 crates total worth ($367 an acre), $1,835 net. Cabbage Plants— The cabbage plant industry has grown to enor- ious 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 jhipped by Blitch & Co., Meggett 35-ooo,ooo plants .est of Charleston District 21,000,000 plants 100,000,000 plants \ alue of above ( 100 cars) $150,000 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 91. It costs $110,000 to cultivate his crop. His daily telegraph 11, 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 30,000,000 plants, for this year's delivery. Began poor John S. Horlbeck, Mount Pleasant, S. C.-Largest pecan grower. lain grove 600 acres; two smaller groves with 10,000 trees each mnual production ten tons. ■4- "° 'a^ ^ /fife- ^ ^ 0- •r, v . 4 i o V \> ^ ^ oy<^V ^ v ^ V * ^ A 9* • ' 4 ,o r oV 0' ^°^ & V '7'.V G^" *o "•.»* A <*^ **„«* ,0* o »* > •j> ,..., % °"° ^° D0BBSBR0S. '.^^V n " LIBRARY BINDING MOV 7*8 \ ^ ,V|j ST. AUGUSTINE FLA - 32084