The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-17

are many soils that would be greatly
benefited If they were properly sub
soiled This work should always be done
in the fall of the year so that the soil
may become thoroughly wet through by
the winter rains thus storing up enough
moisture to carry the trees through the
first seasons growth. Let the sub-soil
pillow run after the stirring pillow. loosen
ing up the sub-soil in the bottom of the
burrows to a depth of from twelve to
eighteen inches. In all cases the top
soil should be narrowed until fine so as
TO prevent the escape of moisture. These
are all matters of great Importance. and
when once fully understood and practice
will add much to the value of the fruit
as well as make the growing a great sue
cess
The time may have been when we could
grow fruit in ignorance of the laws of
nature as to their Requirements, but that
time has passed. and now we must study
these things carefully.
MuIching Orchards.
This is another very important matter
in fruit growing. Perhaps the best mulch
ing for many orchards would be vines
something to keep the soil shaded and
protected from the hot sun. There are
many advantages to be derived from
mulching; one of the greatest Is in pre-
venting the trees shedding fruit. The
fruit not only holds on better where the
soil Is properly mulched. but the fruit
ripens slowly and so is of superior
flavor.
But I cannot take time to more than
touch on these important matters here.
When to Plant Trees.
There is no doubt but that the fall
season is the best for planting In all
so ofa he
be prepared l would advise planting in
the fall. The trees will have healed over
all the pruning and will have started a
root growth in the mild winter weather,
so that when the spring opens the trees
are ready to start right Off and they get
quite a start and great advantage over
spring set trees. However, where the
planting was neglected last fall there is
yet time to plant, but planting should not
be delayed.
There are many other things to be
said on successful tree growing which
space will not permit Of here, such as
pruning and cultivation, varieties to
plant; how to thin the fruit and how to
care for trees so as to have them last for
years.
Many Trees Being Planted.
I returned from Texas a few days ago,
coming over the Southern Pacific, and
from New Orleans over the Louisville and
Nashville railroad. On my way up / no.
ticed that many peach trees had been set
recently and that many more were
heeled in ready to be set this spring. This
was especially noticeable in Alabama.
was pleased to see how much care and
attention some of these newly planted
orchards had received. They have been
started right. and If they will only be
kept right they are bound to succeed A
great many peach trees have been plant
ed along this line, between Birmingham
and Mobile. The newly planted orchards
show that the old time fruit grower has
given place to a better class. of growers.
who more fully understand how to grow
This change has been brought about
largely from the fact that people of late
years have depended more ON their fruit
crops for revenue and a living than they
formally did. Good markets for fine fruit
has stimulated our growers to give more
attention to fruit growing, and no doubt