During the boring of my artesian well we drilled through a
limestone stratum, eighty feet from the surface to one hundred and
ten. When this stratum was reached all the water which could be
pumped down the pipe would disappear. I considered this a strange
thing. I inquired of contractors in Albany and the neighborhood
if they had met with similar strata. They informed me that they
had. On receiving this information, I felt confident that water
let down into this stratum from a pond would disappear. I became
so interested in this proposition that I determined to make the
experiment.
This section of Dougherty County is not over two hundred feet above
the sea level and has on it a great many shallow ponds which have
no natural drainage and which, because of the flatness of the land,
cannot be drained by ditching. Near the artesian well on my Hickory
Level plantation there was a pond of this character. It was not over
twelve feet deep and covered several acres of ground. I thought
that this stagnant water contributed to the sickness of the place,
and to the high death rate from malaria. Later scientific research
concerning the mosquito has proved the connection of stagnant ponds
and malaria.
I determined to drain this pond into that subterranean limestone
stratum eighty feet below the surface. I had a boat built and
transported pine logs to the center of the pond, laid them in a
square, building this up until it was above the surface. I then
had a platform put upon this crib, connected a small derrick,
made a large swinging maul, and drove a three-inch pipe down to
the hard-rock stratum. I then attached a chisel to a two-inch
pipe which was let down in the three-inch one and cut the rock by
continually raising it up and down, thus cutting through the rock
until we reached that honeycombed stratum which I was looking for.
When the chisel struck this porous rock it fell about two feet.
A large quantity of air rose to the surface, startling the two
negroes who were working on the chisel. The top of my three-inch
pipe was several short pieces screwed together. I now unscrewed
and left open at the bottom of the pond the three-inch pipe. The
roar of the water as it went into this subterranean cavity sounded
like a small cascade. The water in the pond decreased gradually for
about two weeks, when it disappeared. The drained bottom presented
a remarkable sight--many fish, alligators, and trunks of ancient
trees were exposed to the sun.
This was a complete drainage and cost about one hundred and fifty
dollars. By preventing the pipe from being stopped up with debris,
the pond was kept successfully drained for several years. But,
finally, through the difficulties of keeping it open, as there were
only negroes on the plantation, and because of general inattention,
the pipe became stopped up and the pond filled again.
I would here like to state that to my knowledge this method of
subterranean drainage has been taken advantage of, in several
localities. One that has been specially drawn to my attention is
the drainage with six pipes by Mr. T. F. Putney, of Albany, of
several hundred acres. This has greatly increased the value of his
land. There are many ponds in south Georgia that I believe could be
drained in the same way, as I feel assured that this same porous
limestone stratum extends under that entire section.
I believe that this method could be the answer to the great problem
of draining the Everglades of Florida. That State is now spending
large sums of money on the attempt to drain parts of these vast
swamps by canals and ditches. I believe that under this section of
Florida is the same geological formation as under Dougherty County,
Georgia, and into which could be drained the surface water. And at
only a fraction of the cost of the system now being attempted.
I also hold the theory that the earth slides at the Panama Canal
could be remedied in the same way, these slides being caused by very
wet earth. The geological formation at the Isthmus is volcanic,
resting on tertiary. Where the slides occur is one hundred feet
above sea level. I think that a system of pipes, from the surface
into a sand stratum which runs under the Isthmus, would remove the
water from this wet earth. I shall not here go into my theory in
detail. I have suggested it to Mr. Goethals, the engineer of the
canal, and state it here not only as a theory of mine, but as a
prophecy of the system that will ultimately be used.
As I became more and more convinced of the immensity of the
underground waterways of Georgia, vast underground rivers making
their way to the sea, and as I realized more fully the inexhaustible
supply of good water to be obtained, I had the vision of a large
area of our State being made more healthful because of pure water,
and prosperous by the use of that same water for the irrigation of
the land in the growing of crops.
I had always been interested in the problem of irrigation. Many
years ago, a Mr. H. S. Orme moved from Milledgeville to Los Angeles,
California. When on a return visit of Mr. Orme, I asked him what
was the most wonderful thing he had seen in the West. He replied
that which most impressed him was the fact that on a piece of land
watered by irrigation such splendid fruit and vegetables were raised
that it was worth five hundred dollars an acre; adjoining this tract
was land which could be bought for one dollar per acre because it
could not be reached by water. This showed the great value of water,
both pieces of land being of the same fertility.
There is no section of Georgia that is arid, but a large section of
southern Georgia is subject to prolonged summer drouths, when the
crops burn badly, sometimes being totally destroyed. It is good land
and with the help of commercial fertilizer and water could make over
one hundred bushels of corn and two bales of cotton to the acre.
This section is geologically in the tertiary system and I believe
that in it artesian water is everywhere obtainable.
I was so impressed with these facts and my belief in the underground
waters of the State was so strong, that I determined, if I were ever
financially able, to make a practical demonstration of what could
be done in this section by the help of irrigation from an artesian
well.
In late years, with much difficulty and limited means, I have
illustrated the truth of my theory. I have, ten miles from Albany,
a plantation known as Tompkins. The land is good and well suited to
my purpose. On this plantation I determined to make an irrigation
plant. With difficulty, in spite of accidents, I succeeded in boring
a well five hundred and fifty feet deep. From a pipe six feet above
ground there now flow thirty-five thousand gallons per day. This now
fills a reservoir which holds four hundred thousand gallons. This
reservoir is about four feet above the field to be irrigated. I was
financially unable to make a cement reservoir which would have cost
between three and four thousand dollars. I made a cheap substitute
of sand and clay at the cost of about one hundred dollars. I
plastered the sides and bottom of my reservoir with sand and clay,
and which I had mixed by dragging a log back and forth across
it. The log acted as a trowel, and made the reservoir perfectly
water-tight.
This reservoir now irrigates a field of fourteen acres. On this
tract I have for the last three years averaged per acre two bales of
cotton, and over one hundred and fifty bushels of corn, and over
four hundred bushels of fine onions.
Mr. Milo Williams, a United States irrigation engineer, on looking
over my plant, said that this large section of Georgia was worth
from three hundred to five hundred dollars per acre, that is, if
the water supply was equal to what I believe it to be, and if the
availability of the water became generally known. He said, too, that
this land compared favorably with lands that were selling at that
price in the irrigated section of the far West. The United States
Department of Agriculture was interested in my work and gave me
practical advice on the irrigation of my field, but on account of
some technicality in the irrigation appropriation I was given very
little financial assistance. I had hoped that the Department would
take up my idea and do some developing on a large scale as they have
done in the West.
I wish again to state more fully my reasons for my confidence in
the possible development of the underground resources of Georgia--a
matter I believe most important. There is a surface geological
formation called eocene commencing near Dublin in Laurens County,
extending in a southwesterly direction through the counties of
Pulaski, Dooly, Sumter, Lee, Dougherty, Early, and Decatur, across
a narrow strip of West Florida. I feel confident that under this
formation flows a great river with collateral branches which comes
to the surface at Wakulla Springs. Wherever this eocene formation is
clear and distinct I believe an artesian well may be obtained, and
that my well taps that great underground river.
There are other underground waterways taking different directions
and different surface formation that flow under southern Georgia
and Florida. There is a large quantity of fresh water that comes
up in the Gulf of Mexico near Cedar Keys, Florida, another in the
Atlantic Ocean at Sheep Island, near Brunswick, Georgia. Brunswick
has excellent artesian wells.
I believe in the future this water power will be developed for
irrigation. It will not require much capital, if the inexpensive
furrow system of irrigation is employed, and the well once obtained
is permanently there. I picture that part of the State prospering
with the raising of cereals and cattle. There will be beautiful
farms and comfortable homes. Thus showing that adding water to the
other bounties of nature, this land can yield abundant crops with
the aid of the wisdom and industry of man.
We shall now turn our attention to my work in fruit growing in
northeast Georgia.
In the summer of 1886, we decided to spend the summer months in
the cool and healthful climate of north Georgia. We bought a small
cottage in Mount Airy, Habersham County, where my family have
spent the subsequent summers. The last fifteen years being spent
in a large comfortable home on the highest point in the village,
with magnificent views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding
country, and beautified with a profusion of flowers with which my
wife has great success.
In north Georgia my first work was with grapes. In 1890 I bought
some land near Mount Airy and planted out a vineyard of Concords
and Niagaras. I raised splendid grapes. I have never seen their
equal, being superior in quality to those grown in New York State.
Our climate made them especially sweet and tender. I did not make
much money with my vineyards as the prices were low and express and
commission so high. The grapes were attacked by the black rot. I was
unable to eradicate it, although I tried the best means then known
to the United States Department of Agriculture. So I was compelled
to abandon the cultivation of grapes on account of this disease
which became uncontrollable.
In my observation of the country around Mount Airy I became
satisfied that a large section of the dividing ridge between the
Chattahoochee and Savannah rivers, on which ridge Mount Airy is
situated, was specially adapted to the growth of peaches. My
principal reason for this belief was the freedom of this ridge from
late frosts. This absence of frosts is caused by oscillation of
the atmosphere--the cold air from the high lands draining to the
valley. Frost does not form when the air is in motion. My theory
that peaches planted on these ridges are not killed by a late frost
has proved to be correct. I did not reckon with the cold winds that
swoop down on this section from the northwest, the temperature going
very low, sometimes to zero, and killing the fruit buds. This fall
of temperature often comes after comparatively warm weather, which
had caused the buds to swell. I determined to plant a peach orchard
on one of these ridges. In 1895 Mr. R. H. Plant, of Macon, and I
purchased some land splendidly situated about three miles west of
Mount Airy. We planted about twenty acres in peaches. This orchard
is known as "Clear View." Later I became the sole owner of this
orchard. I also planted orchards in the other side of Mount Airy. I
increased my orchards until I have one hundred and twenty acres in
peaches--about twelve thousand trees. I, at first, planted a good
many varieties, but my greatest success has been with Elbertas,
Georgia Belles, Crawfords, and Fox's Seedling. In good seasons I
have shipped from fifteen thousand to eighteen thousand crates to
markets at Boston, New York, New Orleans, Cincinnati, and Chicago. I
have obtained net, as high as $1070 for a car, my peaches selling as
high as $3.50 a crate in New York. But this was by no means always
the case. Some seasons on account of the glutting of the market it
hardly paid to ship.
The fruit is of great beauty, of large size and bright color, and
delicious flavor. My example has been followed by many others, and
now from several miles above Mount Airy to Alto, ten miles below,
are hundreds of acres planted in peaches, as many as six hundred
cars being shipped out of this section in one season. I believe as
a whole the growers have made money. Land has greatly advanced in
price. When I first put out my orchard, ridge lands sold at two
dollars per acre. Now it is worth from fifty to one hundred and
fifty dollars.
It has been very gratifying to me to see an industry, in this
section in which I was the pioneer, flourish and bring prosperity to
the people. During peach season as much as thirty thousand dollars
are paid out for labor alone.
I now wish to speak of another experiment of mine in fruit culture.
Although this experiment has not proved a financial success, it is
of interest, and I believe that yet through scientific work it will
be made a success. I speak of my cherry orchard. My largest orchard
of cherries is at Clear View. I planted the large leaf variety of
sweet cherry--the large leaf protecting the tree from the sun,
which is too hot for them in this climate. I planted a variety of
Bigarreau cherries that holds its leaves longer than most varieties.
Though splendid trees, and generally blooming profusely, there is a
lack of fertilization of the bloom, and what few cherries are made
fall before maturing. I believe this condition is mostly due to the
lack of moisture at the season of blossoming. I now have some ideas
that may be able to correct this, and I believe my cherry orchard
will yet prove a success. Man is made to overcome all obstacles.
I have been interested in the growing of many kinds of fruits. I
have large pear orchards on my south Georgia plantations, Le Conte
and Keifer pears. The trees have been badly blighted but have been a
moderate financial success.
I now come to what I consider the most successful undertaking of
the latter part of my life--the growing of apples in Rabun County,
Georgia.
I shall begin with a few words on apple culture in Georgia. Draw
a line through our State from Augusta through the cities of
Milledgeville and Macon to Columbus, and we will note at these
cities that our rivers break over the granite rocks, and from thence
flow gently to the ocean. Below this primary geological formation is
nearly two-thirds of the area of our State, none of which is more
than five hundred feet above sea level. This large area is classed
as tertiary, and presents a soil and climate in which the apple has
never been successfully grown.
Immediately north of this line we come to the granite formation
known as primary--comprising a large portion of the State, in which
are included the red hills of Georgia. In this section certain
classes of apples succeed well. This type may be illustrated by
the Red June and Horse apple for summer; and the Yates and Terry's
Winter for winter. These apples succeed better the higher altitude
we reach in this primitive area of the State. They seem to approach
a higher degree of perfection as the altitude above sea level
increases.
I am inclined to think that climate and altitude above the sea level
are the two most important factors in successful apple-growing in
the State of Georgia.
We will now consider that area of our beloved State from which arise
the headwaters of our streams that flow into the Atlantic and Gulf.
This is termed the mountain section, and embraces that portion of
Georgia lying from 1800 to 3000 feet above sea level.
To go back to the beginning of my interest in this question,--I
moved in the fall of 1898 to Demorest, a few miles from Mount Airy,
for the winter months, for the purpose of putting my children in
school, Demorest having good educational advantages.
Through Demorest there used to pass covered wagons full of apples on
their way from the mountains to Athens. I was struck with the beauty
of these apples, especially with an apple called the "Mother" apple
which was capable of a very high polish and very free from blemish.
On talking to the wagoners I found that they came down from Rabun
County, Georgia, and near Shooting Creek, North Carolina, and that
they grew their apples with very little care or cultivation. I was
so interested that I went up to Rabun to study the apple question.
I applied for the government meteorological maps of this section.
I was struck by its heavy rainfall. An area of about thirty miles
square with the center at Clayton, Rabun County, and extending
into North Carolina, has the largest rainfall of any part of the
United States, except Puget Sound on the Pacific Coast--a rainfall
averaging from seventy to one hundred inches per annum. This does
not come in floods, but all through the year in continual showers.
I have often stood in Rabun Gap and been struck with wonder at the
mist being drawn through Rabun, Hiawassee, and Crow Gaps, forming
clouds laden with moisture to be deposited upon the mountains and
vales of this favored country. They often present scenes of sunshine
and clouds so inspiring and grand that they seem to encircle us with
the majesty of Almighty Power. This rain upon a well-drained soil
is very adaptable to the growth of splendid apples. On seeing what
fine apples could be grown without cultivation, one naturally asked
what could not be done with modern scientific culture. I wished very
much to plant an orchard in that favored section. At first I tried
to interest persons with capital in this enterprise, which I felt
confident would be a profitable investment. I met with no success
so, in spite of my limited resources, I determined to make the
venture myself.
In pursuance of my long contemplated desire, I purchased in 1906
fifty acres of land near Rabun Gap in northeast Georgia, for the
purpose of planting an apple orchard. The position chosen was within
a mile and a half of Rabun Gap, on the Tallulah Falls railroad. The
place was known as Turkey Cove, situated on Black's Creek which
forms the headwaters of the Tennessee River. There were upon the
place about fifty apple trees that had been planted fifteen or
twenty years. They were overgrown with wild vines, and presented
a very neglected appearance. I had the old trees cared for and
I planted a young orchard of twelve hundred trees of approved
varieties of apples. The young apple trees I planted grew, and the
old trees responded to the care given them. After the first year's
care and cultivation, I noticed in the old orchard four trees that
produced a red apple that surprised me with its splendid appearance.
They ripened about November 1, 1908.
About this time I received by mail a pamphlet stating that there was
to be held at Spokane, Washington, the first National Apple Show. A
prize was offered for the best two barrels or six boxes of apples
grown in the sixteen Southern States. This prize was called the
"Southern States Special" and was divided into first, second, and
third prizes. I decided to send six boxes of my apples to contest
for the "Southern States Special." I had about twenty-five bushels
from the four trees. I shipped six boxes by express. In return I
received a check for $50 for the second best apples--North Carolina
receiving the first prize, my apples the second, and apples from
Oklahoma the third prize.
Being elated with my success I had my four apple trees specially
cared for. On November 1, 1909, they presented an appearance
superior to any similar sight I had ever beheld. The National Apple
Show was again held in Spokane in November, 1909. I again contended
for the first prize, "Southern States Special," with superior apples
to my entry in 1908. They were awarded the first prize of $100 above
all competitors. The chairman of the committee making the award is
the most renowned pomologist in our county--Mr. H. E. Van Deman, of
Washington, D. C. I obtained also a diploma for the best new variety
of apples.
The cancelled check of one hundred dollars for this prize was
applied for by a trustee of Mr. Ritchie's school, near Rabun Gap,
and is now framed and hung upon the schoolhouse wall, to remind
the children that their county can produce the best apples.
[Illustration: AWARDED TO JOHN P. FORT FOR APPLES GROWN IN RABUN
COUNTY, GA., "FORT'S PRIZE APPLE."]
This apple, having been pronounced a new variety and worthy of being
put upon the pomological books at Washington, was listed and given
the name of Fort's Prize. The apple has demonstrated those qualities
that make a financial success, such as appearance, color, taste, and
above all, keeping without decay until the spring.
Anticipating that an orchard of this new variety of apple will be
valuable, I have obtained grafts from the old trees and have put
out an orchard of them. I have a confident hope and belief that
this variety of apples will become very valuable in future to apple
growers, and that they will become money-makers, such as the Baldwin
and Ben Davis are among apples; the Elberta peach, among peaches;
the Concord grape, among grapes. It originated in Georgia. I am
gratified that I brought it to public attention.
This season, 1916, my orchard at Turkey Cove has an abundant crop
of splendid apples, and I hope in the next few months to harvest
a crop of two thousand bushels. I have just returned from a visit
to my orchard, and it presents a beautiful sight. My youngest son,
William, has the active management of my orchards.
UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA,
OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR,
ATHENS, GEORGIA,
October 22, 1915.
COL. JOHN P. FORT,
Mount Airy, Georgia.