Houston County Researchers: Mid-Summer is probably one of the most enjoyable times of the year in Central Georgia. The weather is like an oven, but the peach trees are producing an abundance of scrumptious delicacies. Houston, Peach and other surrounding Georgia counties, are in full swing with their peach production equipment now. Personally, I have 7 peach trees in my backyard, which are in their second year of production. For some reason, our peaches are sweeter than ever this year. Regardless of how many I pick, they sure don't last long around here :-) Last year, I discovered an old ledger from the late 1800s and early 1900s, that gave a detailed listing of the early peach orchards of Houston Co., GA. The listing is massive, and one day, I intend to transcribe the data. I've seen detailed accounts in some of the Deed Books of the same era, which describe large groups of land owners giving the rights to use the water (streams, etc.) on their property, for the benefit of the peach packing industry. Prior to, and up to 1924, when a huge portion of western Houston Co., GA was to become the new Peach Co., GA, the massive peach industry was one of the main reasons for the separation. The Fort Valley and Byron area has been prime territory for the peach business for well over 100 years. The fortunes which were made as a result of this, is utterly amazing. Around 1920, Fort Valley, GA hosted a Peach Festival which was unlike any the country had ever seen before. And, they invited folks from all over to come and eat BBQ, be entertained, and *observe* their peach orchard productions. However, once the attendees found out that *they* could also duplicate what they saw in Peach County, they started their *own* peach production enterprises. From that point, the monopoly on the peach production business spread out from this area. This is not to say that the peach industry is not still massive around Central Georgia, as it certainly is. A few years back, Marilyn N. Windham of Fort Valley, GA, wrote an excellent book describing the early Peach Festival and the industry that was behind the fortunes made. For anyone who has roots in this area, I consider this to be "required reading". The Elberta peach and several other varieties were developed in this area of Georgia. Some, directly from peach pits, I believe. I've had experts tell me that you can't plant a peach pit and expect any sort of quality fruit to develop. I can tell you for a fact, that you *can*. Two of my best peach trees were planted directly from a peach pit. However, it takes about 4 or 5 years before you will be eating any peaches. I am almost mesmerized by the quality of peaches around Central Georgia: the firm, velvety texture, the bright golden to almost crimson hues, the exquisite, almost breath-taking aroma, and the heavenly taste, as sweet as sugar or honey ever dared to be. Here's to eating some sweet Georgia peaches! Take care! William A. Mills Perry, GA [email protected] ________________________________________________________________ YOU'RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today - there's no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.