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A chill is in the air
Ech 10-24-18 Figs on bush in fall.jpg
Fig trees still have green figs with frost around the corner
Ech 10-24-18 Fall pear and bloom on tree.htm.jpg
Pear trees still have fruit and are blooming

A chill is in the air this morning. Frost is not far away. In our hustle and bustle most city folks likely are not aware of the odd growing season we have had this year. A late killing frost stripped the fig bushes and damaged part of the fruit trees as far as yield.

My grandmother always said, “Flowers out of season is trouble out of reason.” The Bible states that when we know not the seasons the world is at hand. Of course there are a lot of old wives tales connected to weather and predicting the first frost.

A few observations over the past week kind of lead you to wonder what is going on. The pecan trees lost their leaves and are sporting new green leaves in spots. Our pear tree is still holding onto the last fruit and it is blooming a little here and there. The fig bushes have green figs which will not ripen before frost. There were never enough figs for preserves after the spring freeze turned the green new leaves black and the bushes looked as if they would not live. Other fruit trees and flowers are blooming out of season. Mother Nature is definitely in charge.

It is good to see our local farmers gathering their crops. Peanuts are being gathered and cotton is being defoliated and turning whiter each day as the boles open. The big cotton bales dot the fields as they pick cotton with their huge machines. The soybean and corn harvest are almost over. Pecans should be dropping but most say the yield is poor if any from the few trees in our yards. Some of the sprayed and irrigated commercial growers’ pecan orchards will hopefully see better yields.

We thank the Lord for not so much damage from Hurricane Michael’s remnants and pray for all who saw significant damage to peanuts, cotton, poultry, timber and pecans in Florida, Alabama and Georgia It will take many years for the pecan and timber industry to recover. Agricultural crop damage in Georgia is now estimated at 3 billion dollars from Michael.

What will our next seasons hold? For now we can enjoy this cool chill in the air and wait to see what God has in store for our season in 2019 which will be here in the blink of an eye. Happy Fall from Historic Effingham Society!

This was written by Susan Exley from Historic Effingham Society. If you have photos or historical information to share contact her at 912-754-6681 or email hesheraldexley@aol.com