The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-11-06
What Fruit Trees TO Plant.

Although the following article was
published in The Journal of February
5th of this year, it is republished in
answer to the many inquiries which
are received upon the subject.
Numerous inquiries come from al
most every section of the south as to
what varieties of fruits are the most
desirable there, and these questions
being usually propounded from persons
desiring to plant only a limited number
of varieties, it is therefore difficult to
give list that would suit every locality
as we'll as soil and other conditions
which must be considered. These
considerations must be based IN a
great measure upon the ultimate use
certain fruits are expected to be ap-
piled to, whether for regular family
supply, home market, drying or stock
feeding.
For the past % years the Georgia
State Horticultural society has'during
it annual sessions carefully revised
the lists of the various classes of fruits
which can be cultivated in Georgia
land this applies also to South Caro-
lima and Alabama as possessing SINH
lar climate) dividing the State in four
distinct regions, and rating each fruit
or variety according to its success IN
these regions. While this gives rella-
BILE guide as to the most desirable va
rieties, still local conditions of soil,
situation, elevation and surroundings
must be taken in consideration and
these must consequently be left to the
prospective planter who should become
familiar with details of which he
should be the best judge. We must
therefore refer our friends to the an
nual reports of the State Horticultural
Society SO far as the adaptation of va
rious fruits to the four distinct regions
of Georgia.
After having selected a sufficient
number of varieties Of a class OF fruits
which are known to succeed in the
regions wherein they are to be plant
ed, the next object is to consider the
number of trees of each class and va
riety. If solely required for family
supply. one or two trees OF kind
would suffice, providing their maturity
ranges from earliest to latest. If more
fruit is required for the purpose of
disposing of it in home market, or for
drying, canning or feeding to stock,
then a selection suitable for these ends
must govern. Every market has its
peculiar needs and these are always to
be consulted. Again there are local
ties where a certain fruit proves usual
lv successful and this may induce It's
more or less extensive cultivation, but
if this particular variety is unknown
in market it would be unwise to at
tempt its culture upon a large scale
until one is satisfied that relatively
large demand would follow.
There are, however, a few varieties
of apples, pears. peaches, plums,
grapes and some of the small fruits
that are popular in every market and
seem to thrive we'll in almost every
section of the south. There is conse-
onently little risk connected in culti-
vating these.
A family fruit orchard is altogether
different thing from market Or
chard. For the former the principal
object in view is the quantity of the
fruit. Size and attractive appearance
need not bere form as much of a con-
s;Geration was here selecting for mar
ket reouiremer is, when both size,
color and carving capacity should
rule
In sections remote from transporta-
ton facilities and where fruit is IN
tended for stool; feeding, quantity dur
ing as long period of the season as
possible must be the object. For this
purpose peach trees raised from seed
of certain types as the Chinese, lemon
and Heath clines, Indian, Crawfords,
ETC., are desirable. These would
afford large range of fruit through
out the summer. Horse and Shock
ley apples and Hicks mulberry are
valuable.
For the convenience of the prospec-
tive planters we add lists OF fruit for
both family and home markets giving
only such as combine the most deslra-
BILE qualities fer the intended pur-
poses.
For family use, in order of matur-
ity