The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-18

concerned, makes but very little differ enes' except, perhaps that lands sloping to .iie north may be better protected from s sIio iiot suns, and may be later in matur- ms ifult; and some claim that fruit on
 uen siopes will not fall as prematurely ., u uoes from trees exposed longer to t, .tio rays or the sun. There may be some thing in this but the difference is so small as 10 De hardly preceptible. The main point is to select land that is adapted for peach growing and give such land the trees.
 Along the Frisco one need have no trouble in finding soil well suited for the PeieH' Mention may be made here of some or these lands and sections where peaches may be grown successfully and at great profit. Take a map of the Frisco territory, commence at West Plains, Mo- and follow the line through Arkan- sas to Memphis, and we pass through some very line country for peaches. Fol loW the line on southeast across North Nisslsslppi and on to Birmingham. and there IS to be found great undeVeloped country, where peaches can be grown to perfection. There is no better peach country to be found anywhere in the united States than that of North Miss lsslppi. Here fine peach lands that will give net return of from sl00 to $500 per acre may be bought for less than $25OO per acre. Then again, this section will give quick returns as the trees bear early, and give quality of fruit unsurpassed. But there are other sections and the seek CT for location has much to choose from. Northwest Arkansas, Indian Territory, Oklahoma and Texas is d line peach country, very little of which is yet de- veloped.
 When the locality has been selected ana lhe farm secured good judgment should be used in making a selection of location for the orchard As an orchard should last for years, it should be plant ed to best advantage and where there IS perfect drainage, as well as where the fruit may be handled tc the best ad- vantage. On the Ozarks there Is much table land, and this land on top of these mountains Is among the best of peach soils, and here fine peach orchards may be located. The grower can have a great many admirable locations to select from, So many indeed that no mistake may be made in location. Having decided on location, the next thing is in select ing soils suitable for peach growing.
 Best of Soils Found.
 In the sections named there are to be found the best soils, coupled with the fact that here, too, the climate Is just right, the best to be found anywhere for peaches. There is in these sections a great abundance of land with a deep red clay subsoil, which contains iron enough to give the fruit the right color, and this is the best soil on which to grow com mereial fruits of all kinds, as we'll as peaches. Land with deep yellow or red subsoil are the most suitable for peaches; in fact, 1t is almost essential to success to plant on soils of this nature. White, stiff, clay soils should not be selected as such soils, as well as poor white sandy | soils They are almost worthless for | fruit growing Such soils might be made available, but it takes time and money to fit them, and as there Is so much good soil to select from there would be no necessity for selecting poor soils. Then again. there Is in some of the sections | named. much rough hlly land which is well adapted for peach growing and where more may be made out of fruits than any other crops. There should be no mistake made in selecting a location for the orchard Should one make mis- 1 take in selecting a location for annual | crops, such as corn or wheat, the mis- take can be corrected the next season. | But not so with an orchard, for when planted the orchard is expected to re- main for years.
 Having a good native timber soil with a red or yellow clay subsoil to select from, soils which will yield fair crops of cotton, corn or wheat, these will give | a foundation to build upon. All soils must have good under or subsoil drain | age, for peach trees will not grow with wet feet, nor on soils full of acid water, or where water stands near the surface. But more on drainage later on.
 After the location has been decided upon, the next thing in order is proper preparation of the soil, and here Is where so many have made failures from the l fact that they were not willing to per ! form enough labor to make the matter a l success The idea that fruits may be 1 grown after the system used for grow ing farm crops, such as cotton and corn, is a mistake, as they require a very diff i ferent system of operations.
 Preparing the Soil.
 Before planting trees the soil should be put in a high state of cultivation. First the land should be cleared of all stumps, stones and brush. so that these may be out of the way of cultivation. Where old land that has become ex- hausted by continued farming has to be | used, this must be reclaimed by restor- l Ing Dackplant foou, numuS 10 the SOll, and this can often be done cheaper by the use of some of the legumes. such as COW peas or some of the clovers.
 The soil should be broken very deep by the use of the subsoi blow, narrowed | fine, and where the soil is poor to com mence with fertilizers should be used ! freely. and often it will pay to fertilize and cultivate tn soil for two years on stock peas or clovers. There is nothing to be gained by hurrying and planting | before the soil Is prepared.
 The best plan is to be sure you are | right and then go ahead. here are many advantages by having the soil well prepared before planting. It makes the l after cultivation much easier and cheaper. Besides the trees take on a l vigorous growth right from the start. There is still another great advantage, which is that improved implements may be used to great advantage, tnus reduc- ing cost to a minimum. Where set stones end old stumps are left on the land, :hese advantages cannot be had
 Planting of the Trees.
 After the soil has been thoroughly pre- pared the next step will be the planting of the trees This, as well as other work,