The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-23
FRUIT GROWERS ORGANIZE
Department Also Helps the
 Truck Farmers.
New Department is to Conduct Fruit Growing Campaign in Alabama
 T.th Ideal Soil and Climatic Conditions.

The onicials of the Western Railroad have recently organized horticultural department in connection with the in- dustrial work of the roac. Under the auspices of the department fruit growers clubs are being organized along the Wes- tern Road. st,f
 In this connection yesterday. a ,promi- nent farmer and a well known fruit grow CT said:
 No phase of Southern development is more encouraging than the improved methods which are being adopted in truck farming and fruit growing. With wide ly distributed climatic conditions and soils capable of producing a variety of fruits and vegetables the importance and practical, value of diversified farming is Ssins nore yo os of one or two staple crops like cotton or corn to the production of such fruits and vegetables as the Northern markets demand with benefit to the grower has become question that calls for intelli- gent solution.
 In order to secure the best results Of this new movement for advancing the agricultural and horticultural interests of the South extremes must be avoided. For the ordinary farmer to abandon corn and cotton raising to which he has been ac- customed all his life and engage in di- versified farming and fruit culture with out experience and training is obviously . mistake. The change must not be too abrupt or sweeping if success would be assuSed. Hence any plan that will aid the Farmers in adapting themselves to to practical direction to their efforts must be of material benefit"
 Such a plan is now9b being put in 0per- ation and to actual test among the farm 1v~ ka vSfo nd Western Railway of Alabama under the auspices of the horticultural department of this railroad. This department has been recently organized for the purpose ing and kindred industries in the terri tory tributary, to this line As the first step to the accomplishment of this object fruit and vegetable growers clubs are on the railroad between Atlanta and sel- ma. All farmers are eligible to member ship in these clubs and bringing togeth- CT the most intelligent farmers In com. opportunity to discuss the. best mean: for making a success of, the fruit. ano vegetable industries. Among the subject. that receive attention are; Cooperation can be grown: the best methods of cul tivation and. what varieties can be mos profitably grown in any particular local ity: how best to extend the area for frui
  with the annual cotton crop on whici so many are = dependent for regular revenue; what soils ant fertilizers to select, in ,,p produehin' ~ha remedies to adopt in preventing anc treating diseases to which plants, treei and vines are liable.
 1t is proposed to confine attention t growing only staple vegetables and sucf fruits as experience has demonstrated will yield the best results. Once in prac tieaI and successful operation these club! are to be made auxiliary to a general or West Point and Montgomery Fruit anc Vegetable Growers Association, whicf will by combined effort seek to carry out all of the purposes of the different club: the entire trritory represented.
 It will be seen that the scope of thi! proposed work Is broad and the detail! together the varied horticultural and az ricultura! interests in a manner most con ducive to their intelligent advancement It is a movement far-reaching in It's ef iished and thoroughly tested it opens thu way for such incidental industries as can ming factories and for bringing new peo pie into the territory and thus encourag and the investment of additional capita in improvements anr the purchase Q high grade seeds plants and fruit trees
 The plan of operations herein set forti has been inaugurated by President Wick ersham of the Atlanta and West Poin and Western of Alabama Railway system with the object of developing the re sources tributary to his road and whil' promoting its traffic at same time in creasing the income of the farmers anC fruit growers. To this end 1t will readil, be seen there can be no discrimination as to freight rates other than shall worl to the mutual benefit of all concerned il marketing the product.
 The immediate work of organization i! under the direction of MT. C. M. Porter recently appointed horticultural agen and wrfo is a practical farmer and hor ticuiturist well versed in all the questions relating to a betterment of the trucl farming and fruit growing conditions
 . The success of this movement will b' good will result therefrom seems assure, from the practical lines on which tn, work has been laid out.