The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-09
DIVERSIFIED CROPS
 FARMERS FUTURE Can Make More Money Than
 by Raising Cotton A FRUIT GROWING STATE Alabama Is Fast Forging to the Front as Fruit and Vegetable
 state-This is Proving a
 Source of Profit.
A FRUIT GROWING STATE

"When the cotton market is in a state of depression, as it now is, the minds of the people naturally turn to diversified crops" said J. R. Crandall of the Geor- gia Fruit Packing company, of Fort Valley Ga., who is at the Hillman. Alabama, broad in its resources, offers opportunities in abundance for the solu- ton of this problem It is fast becom- ing an important fruit growing state, which culture is now in it's infancy.
 "A trip from Athens to Mobile will certainly open the eyes of all Alabamians tc the fact that this state is fast be- coming a fruit growing one. From Gull man to Mobile one will see vast acreage planted in strawberries and fruit trees.
 At Castleberry, near Evergreen. is one of the largest strawberry farms in the state, called the Klondyke farm. It covers an area of eighty-flve acres and Is proving a paying investment. Last year seventy-five cars of strawberries were shipped to the eastern markets from Alabama.
 Finds Ready Market.
 "The berries are shipped In refrigerator cars and find an easy market in Pitts burg Chicago, New York and other northern and eastern cities. This year there will me POO cars of strawberries shipped from this state and next year there will be 300.
 The berries bring from $S to $5 per crate. In places where the plants have been set out for some time and given the proper cultivation the growers realized from $500 to s4oo per acre.
 "The soil around Bay Minette and Ever green is admirably fitted for strawber- " culture. The dampness all the year around saves the expense of irrigation which would be necessary in less moist soil. To raise strawberries successfully the soil must be moist all of the time. This Is the reason why many fall in the strawberry culture.
 "The Louisville and Nashville Railroad company is contributing largely to the success of the strawberry culture. It is through this company that much foreign capital has and is still being invested in this industry. The Louisville and Nash vile has employed L. H. Lister of Mich igan as their agricultural agent, and it is through his efforts that the strawberry movement in this state has met with such success. He will go to any point on the company lines and instruct and assist farmers in planting strawberry farms. The officials of the road have confidence fin Alabama's future as a fruit state and
 nd ooncfdpr- able money in fruit farms of South Ala bama.
 Peach Culture.
 "The peach culture is also becoming to be an important industry in the state. On the Louisville and Nashville there has recently been set out orchards at the following towns Bay Minnette, 10000 trees: Boiling, 10000 trees; Red Level, 1o0oO trees; Thorsby, 20,0O0 trees. To show you that the capitalists of the east have confidence in the peach culture of Alabama, Edwin Norton, president of the American Con company of New York. has invested extensively in peach orch ards of this state.
 "It is conservatively estimated that from $200 to S25O can De reallzed on an acre of good land planted in peach trees. This will surely furnish the farm CTS. who are looking for something to raise besides cotton, ample relief.
 That the soil of Alabama is adapted to raising raddishes was proven by re- cent experiment. A commission firm in Chicago handled barrel of raddishes for Baldwin county farmer d short while ago, which deal netted the farmer s14. Now 1t has been proven that sixty barrels of raddishes can be raised on one acre of good land.
 Alabama, in my opinion" continued Mr. Crandall Furnishes scores of ways that are rich In their opportunities if the people will only turn away from the long-tried custom of raising cotton" bers. Put your thinker to work for sug- gestions.
 If you are coming you must telephone Hening (Bell 540 not later than Tues