Three-Quarters of N.C. Peach Crop Was Lost, May 17, 1923

Peach Crop Will be Smaller Now. . . Bad Weather, With Biting Cold, Will Cause Falling Off in Fruits

By the Associated Press

Washington, May 16—The crop of early peaches will be considerably below that of last year, according to reports from the department of agriculture from peach-growing sections of the south, but will be larger than anticipated when frosts occurred last month.

Reports from Georgia estimated the crop on May 10 at 57 per cent of normal with Elbertas almost up to normal. A large number of new trees are bearing this year and the commercial crop is expected to total about 7,000 cars.

“In Arkansas,” the department reported, “the cars to be shipped are estimated at from 800 to 850. The main producing sections this year will be to the southwest. Shipments should begin about July 4, practically all Elbertas.

“Alabama will practically drop out of the commercial peach production this year. Few, if any peaches will be shipped from Atmore. New trees have gone in there and in Monroe county but will not produce this year. Other sections at Bolling and Opelika have young trees which are expected to come in later but the movement form these points will be light, if any, this season.

“In Oklahoma, 59 per cent of the commercial crop is said to have been killed by freezing and the condition of the 41 per cent remaining is 85 per cent normal. “In North Carolina, a commercial crop of about 500 cars is expected, which will be about 27 per cent of the last year’s crop and about 25 per cent of a full crop. The loss in the sand hills will not be nearly as large as had been expected.

“The commercial peach crop of South Carolina is grown in Saluda, McBee, and Greenville counties. Saluda will market about 30 per cent of a full crop, McBee about 50 per cent, and Greenville will have very few, if any, to ship. Production will be greater than estimated immediately after the freeze, but growers expect the quality to be below standard.”

From the front page of the Durham Morning Herald, Thursday, May 17, 1923. To learn more about Elberta peaches, go to arbordayblog.org/treeoftheweek/elberta-peach-americas-favorite-peach/.