The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-25

 work of the Farmers Institutes. pr. Cary and his assistants arc doing a grand work for the peopel in uplifting the cause of agriculture and horti- culture.
 During the past year there has been greatly increased interest manifested fin commercial orchard planting. and this has been chiefly directed to the planting of peaches. although there has been a more extensive planting of ap- pies, pears, plums, oceans and straw berries than formerly.
 Doubtless most of you are familiar with the extensive acreage devoted to strawberry culture in this State. Then too, there has been an increased plant ing of figs and Japanase persimmons- much greater than l have ever known before.
 Our society has, unquestionably, eX- ercised no small influence in bringing this about. This I can safely say, my position as nurseryman having brought me in such close touch with the orchardists as to enable me to speak with specific knowledge.
 Varieties of Fruit.
 One of our objects should be to gather practical information relative to the most desirable varieties of fruit, including nuts. for the home and com mercial Orchards--this information to be discussed by the members of tho society in the light of their experiences. Nothing contributes more to the awakening of interest in and the at tainment of our object than discussions at our sessions of the various snbjec s under consideration as questions can be answered in person as they arise.
 The information gained from the great number of those who have already satisfied themselves as to the adaptibility of certain sections of thls State to profitable fruit culture. and who are showing their good faith by yearly additions to their plantings. chances with Georgia and Texas who have already made for themselves an enviable reputation along this line.
 It cannot be too strongly emphasized how exceedingly important il is that every tree planted should have proper care. This truism may seem rather trite to you, yet how few there are who. having the zeal. also possess the good judgment. application and tenacity of purpose sufficient to induce them to nurse the tree to its productive age and to give 1t the necessary care throughout the period of its maturity. It may safely be said that moi moro than a third of all the trees planted will receive the requisite care to bring them into proper bearing
 Not only should the tree be given proper cultivation to increase its vitali- ty, making it more resistant to diseases and insect pests, but there should also be constant vigilance that neither disease nor insect pests find lodgment. and the now well known diseases and Insect pests to which the trees are subject should be intelllgently com bated
 PreservatiOh of Fruits.
 In Horticultural Hall. at the Worlds Fair, wonderfully attractive displays of fruits grown in every latitude of our vast country were to be seen The per lection of these displays was owing in a large measure to the triumph of our modern methods for the preservation of fruit, by means of which the most perishable can be carried, even during the warmest season, thousands of miles to the marts without any material change in their freshness or quality. My surprise increased with my visits to Horticultural Hall-and they were fre- quent-at seeing how long the different fruits kept their sound appearance, as well as. in a marked degree, their other good qualities. Apples. pears. and other fruits, that had been in { cold storage for months were still seemingly unchanged from their original condition. after having been on the display plates for weeks, and subject to the variable tempera- tueR qf the season. Here again would