The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-23
Agricultural Department
CONDUCTED BY FULTON 8. WHITE.

tance of this system of drainage, and re- gently I saw in one of the great peach growing sections on the great Frisco sys- tenn in Arkansas, growers laying lines Of underground tiling to drain their orch- ards.
 Then again 1t Is not always the low lands that need this drainage, but often uplands and table lands need drainage as badly as the lowlands, for many Of these have subsoils full of acid water My attention was called to an orchard of this kind out in the Indian Territory. My friend, Dr. Nash. who is a pioneer hor- ticulturist in this new territory and is doing much to build up the industry, had planted a peach orchard on a plot of beautiful table upland, where he never thought of the question of drainage en- tering into the matter at all, for the very location of the plot would lead beginner to think that the drainage was perfect.
 Water in an Orchard.
 The doctor said to me one day that his trees were not doing well from some cause and that he would be pleased to have me visit the orchard and examine the trees and see if I could locate the trouble He said that the trees were six years old, that they had produced several crops of nice fruit but now they showed signs of decay, and the present crop of fruit had routed badly on the trees
 I suspected the cause at once, for in travelling around in that locality l had noticed that the water was near the surface and that springs were quite com mon along the railroad banks. So I said to the doctor: "All right. Get a Jo will in a into the conditions that surround your orchard' The doctor looked at me in astonshment and said: '.Do you mean a common dirt spade? I said: "Of course I do" Well" he said, T can't see what you want with a spade In making an examination of friut trees." Well" I said, I want to first examine the soil in your orchard"
 So we went out and on reaching the orchard I dug in, and. as I had suspected, In eighteen inches of the surface we found the soil full of sour acid water. I said to the doctor: Here is the trouble. We need go no further. The soil must be rid of this condition by drainage be- fore you can make a success of growing peaches on it.
 This condition may be more common In new countries where the soil has not been cultivated long enough to have be- come civilized" The idea that I wish to convey here is that after a greater portion of country has been cleared and put into cultivation and where the land has been broken out this takes up much of the surplus water and greatly improves the condition of the country, but even then there will be much land that will have to have some artificial drainage before fruit growing can be made a success.
 After the land has been properly drained or where the drainage has been prepared for liberal use of pure rock lime will be of great benefit in helping to correct the acid influences in the soil. Use twenty to fifty bushels of the lime sown broadcast and narrowed in after all other preparation of the soil has been performed In placing tile for drainage great care must be given to get the proper fall 50 that the tile may at all times be kept open to carry off all sur plus water. Once the tile is properly placed it will last for years. The cost of tiling or tile drainage is a small matter as compared with the benefits derived from It.
 As to Insects.
 Some attention too is necessary in look ing after insects that feed on the forage of the trees as we'll as on the friut. In waging war of extermination on in- sects that destroy crops one of the most successful plans is clean cultivation and ever watchful care. Cultivate regularly and destroy all places where insects may hide and feed.
 One of the greatest insect pests that we have to contend with in peach grow ing Is the peach borer. Many methods have been devised for the destruction of this pest. One of the best ways to get rid of them or to prevent them boring into the tree at the ground is to use air slacked lime and tobacco dust in equal parts and apply freely around the tree. A good plan Is to take away the dirt from around the tree and then spread the lime and tobacco dust A small quantity of salt may also be used in with the lime and tobacco. This is a good fer tilizer as well as an insecticide.
 Then again it is very important that the body of the trees be kept clean. the old bark kept off and the trees should have frequent washings. A good wash Is made by using tobacco tea and whale oil soap This will prevent and destroy all lice that might gather on the tree or in the old bark If it is left on. So far we have very few insects or worms that feed on the forage of peach trees. and ihsec,s oi tnls klnu are easily disposed of py spraying. Insects may also be de- stroyed Tn orchards by pasturing with hogs and in growing poultry in the orch ards. In fact. there is no better pIace for poultry than in the orchard and the poultry will add greatly to the profits that are to be derived.
 Spraying the Trees.
 spraying may also become necessary for the destruction of both insects and diseases. such as blight. mildew. etc. The better plan in this case will be to get some work on spraying. study it fully. and follow out the instructions as given Tor the mixing and preparing of the va rious solutions that it will be necessary to use. Also one must know when to spray and what to spray for. Much of this information can be had in the farm