AIKEN --- One of South Carolina's leading crops, decimated by late cold snaps in recent years, is looking peachy keen this season.

"We're doing real well," said Larry Cook, of Cook's Farm in Edgefield, saying that it has been many years since he has had such a nice peach crop.

A couple of months ago, some area peach growers said they had high hopes for this year's crop, pending a late cold snap. Many producers begin harvesting and selling to area stores and roadside stands this month.

Mr. Cook said he started distributing his peaches last week.

Sonny Yonce, of JW Yonce and Sons Inc., in Johnston, which produces Big Smile brand peaches, said his operation started packing shipments three weeks ago. He said some of his crop had hail damage, but nothing major.

"It's been a good many years since I've seen the color that our fruit is having right now, and I probably contribute that to our cool nights and some of our cloudy days," he said.

For now, he said, he wouldn't mind a little dry weather.

"These little showers basically create funguses and all, and it causes us to increase our spray program," Mr. Yonce said.

But that hasn't been a problem so far, area sellers say.

"We have had nothing but top-quality peaches," said Clyde Gurosik, owner of Gurosik's Berry Plantation in North Augusta. "The peaches so far are beautiful, no problems with either parasites or insects or fungus."