The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-24
ALABAMA GROWS 4 GREAT PEACH CROP Conditions in the State Favor
 Their Culture A GREAT RIVAL OF GEORGIA Handsome Revenue Is Derived from Fruit Growing and Alabama has Great Future as a Producer
 of Peaches.
A GREAT RIVAL OF GEORGIA
BY FRANK V. EVANS.

BY FRANK V. EVANS.
 Among all the southern states Georgia thus far leads in peach-culture. That is to say in volume of product; but Georgia l does not lead in excellence of variety nor in adaptablity of soil and climate In these she has an equal in Alabama Our state possesses the same soil the same climate and the same labor condi- tions as does her great sister state. Politically speaking little Delaware Is Of 1 the south, and Delaware peaches are as lucious as delightful and palatable as any that ever grew; and Delaware's coat of-arms should be embellished with peach, because Delaware is pioneer | peach-producing state.
 1 It Is reported that about coco cars have been brought into service to move the peach crop of Georgia this year. and there is much commendable boasting on this account.
 | Alabama Is perhops next in order on this | line, and the two states are adding every year to the production of this valuable | fruit.
 Small Town's Record.
 The little town of Fort Valley in Hous- ton county, Georgia, this year will ship i2OO car loads, and is receiving therefrom about 5000 per car. It is said that in the | Fort Valley section about ITO trees are planted on each acre of ordinary land, and the crops turn out from a half to three crates, holding three pecks to the crate, and they bring from 60 cents to | $1.50 per crate or from 20 cents to 50 cents per peck. This means crated and deliver ed at the cars. At 60 cents per crate of three pecks to the tree the grower ob- tains $l02 per acre. To go still lower, say 20 cents to the tree he gets $51 per acre. 1 The smaller average for the crop the l higher the price.
 The peach growers sell their product in various ways. Some the entire crop as 1t stands in the fields; some gather, crate | and deliver to the cars while others con- sign them to the markets direct l Trees are bought from the nurseries at l about $275O per thousand or say $50 for | ten acres.
 Upon the cost of an orchard up to | bearing age: Experts tell us that upon the same land and with the young trees cotton can be raised proftably until the 1 third year when trees will begin bear l ing Which greatly aids in reducing ex- l penses Crops of grain should not be planted among the young trees; but with 1 cotton, melons or peas, the expense of an orchard will be reduced to a minimum. the expense of planting being the greatest.
 Large Profits Derived. One experienced Georgia producer says hls estimate on his farm of 100000 trees 1 is about $5000 per year. At three years of age they pay dividend and he has some trees at that age which pay $1 per tree. He 1 suggests to new beginners as follows: Avoid mistakes in selecting varieties, | especially those very remarkable new ones offered by travelling tree men,
 Plant only a few, and have those test ed on your soil and in your climate.
 Plant each variety in plot to itself so as to avoid trouble in gathering.
 Plant varieties ripening in succession | and for car lots, not less than 5000 trees, as 1t takes about 900 cases for car and these are to be gathered in one day. and at proper stage-not too ripe or green.
 with me, the following are the best paying varieties:
 First. q few Greensboro Chis is too soft, but being early pays fairly well, and are out by June 1)
 Next are Carmen, Mamie-Rop and Wad- dell, Cthese ripen together from June to the 10th.)
 "Then Hiley Cor Early Belle) from June
 "Then Belle of Georgia. from June 15 to July 1.
 Next, Elberta known to all. and now the most extensively planted peach in the 1 world.
 After this, I have only the Emma which Is good yellow peach, carries well but Is shy bearer.
 For home use. the Sneed. Triumph Gen. Lee and Stonewall Jackson cling are ex- | celent sorts
 After Planting Requires Care.
 "Of course much depends,upon the care taken after planting. The culture should be thorough, pruning and protection we'll attended to if success Is expected. Land should be well prepared before planting of hilly 1t may be best to terrace) mark off rows, tif ordinary thin land 16xl8 feet in checks running straight as possible both ways and planting in each cross l about as deep as 1t grew in the nursery | row, this gives 175 trees per acre. If land | is rich, mark off 20x20 feet as trees grow | larger.
 1 'If possible 1t Is best to plant in the. | fall, as young roots start and by the hot | dry summer trees are prepared with good roots."
 i Alabama presents a magnificent field | for this industry, and in many sections | of the state it has been demonstrated that | it is most profitable. At Thorsby in Chil- ton county in the black belt and In the middle sections there are many flourishing and profitable orchards. Upon Sand moun- tain it is becoming a chief industry. and | in Lookout and in Wills valley peaches are l already accounted a staple product. This 1 year the yield has been enormous, and | it Is requiring hundreds of cars to move the fruit from the Alabama orchards Lands are now being prepared by indus | trious frut-growers and they are to be | devoted to peach-growing. Nl,a ,l, ..F A1.1--