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

should be set just a fraction deeper than they grew in the nursery. As to the dis tance for planting, this will depend large l ly on the variety. Some of the dwarf sorts may be planted closer. 16x16 feet, while the stronger growing sorts will need more room The Elberta is the kind most commonly planted for com mercial purposes, and these should be planted 1sx1S feet on most soils this will give 150 trees per acre. As to the theory of leaning the trees to any point of the compass for protection of sun. cold or to ward off effects of storms, observations of many orchards show that there is very little in the theory worth attention. Better set straight, head low, and train the growth as desired As to the best time for planting. In nearly all sections where peaches may be successfully grown the winters are mild, so that trees may grow most of the winter. Fall plant ing is preferable, as the trees will have started a fine growth before the dry sum- mer weather sets in; and rnls enables them to withstand trough and pass through the first season with but little loss. In nearly all peach growing sec- tions the summers are long and often dry so in planting this should be taken into account, and everything possible to prevent loss of trees the nrst season should be looked after. By allowing the trees to become well matured, ripe in the nursery, then take them up and plant them in the soil as here outlined will greatly reduce the chances of loss.
 When moving the trees from the nur- sery never allow the roots to become dry, but have everything in readiness and plant as quickly as possible after taken up and save the work of heeling in where mice may get at the roots and damage or destroy the trees. A good plan Is to have the land all marked off the proper distances in straight lines run ming at right angles dig the holes at the crosses, leaving them open for a month or for several months before planting, so that the rain can get down and wet the subsol, and so that the air may get down and have a fine effect on the sub soil by way of making the plant food in the subsoil soluble and preparing it for being more easily and quickly taken up bg the trees.
 Then again, in laying out the orchard, If the land is rolling enough to wash, great care should be exercised to get the rows laid off each way to Lest advantage for cultivation and preventing washing. careful survey of the land should be made before the rows are laid off and then they should be laid out to best ad- vantage in this respect.
 Cultivation.
 
 tion. the cost of which will depend en- tirely upon the condition of the soil and how we'll it was prepared before plant ing. Where prepared as directed here the cost of cultivation will be small matter and easily performed.
 The system of level cultivation is the correct one, and only tools which will leave the soil level should be used. Never use a turning blow in a fruit or chard. More orchards have been ruined and killed by the of turning blows than have been lost from any other cause. Throwing the dirt either to or from the trees with a turning blow is alike fatal to the trees. Some good light cultivator and this followed by a smooth harrow, which will leave the soil perfectly level. The writer has for years advocated level cultivation under all con- ditions for fruit trees, and on visiting the great fruit orchards of California this system of level cultivation was found to be in practice for all fruit trees. Cali forna implements are so constructed with extended levers that as the trees grow the team may be used further from the trees to prevent rubbing the limbs, and the arms of the cultivator extended out to work up close and under the trees. This is the proper system of cultivation. as it leaves the soil level and in perfect condition.
 Here is one of the secrets of success in cultivation, to begin early and keep the matter well in hand. Never let the orchard become so far gone In weeds and brush that big turning blow is the only thing with any cultivation may be performed In cultivation neither the bodies or the limbs of the trees should be rubbed or parked by the team or har- ness. Some light crops, vine crops, such as melons, beans. peas or tomatoes may be grown in between the trees for sev- eral years after planting, but such crops as corn small grain of any kind, or cot ton. should never be planted in fruit orchards. But these light vine crops may be used for profit and are as we'll a great advantage to the young treesh These vine crops shade the soil thus en- ablng it to hold the moisture, and re- taining in the soil plant food. Then these plants act subsoilers to a cer- tain degree by sending their roots down into the subsoil, loosening it up and mak- ing more of the plant food available. This is especially true of the tomatoes. beans and peas. It is rather surprising to see some of the horticulturists ad- vising the planting Of corn, cotton and even grain crops in young orchards. These all rob the trees of both moisture and plant food and greatly retard the growth of the trees. A little good reas- oning will correct this error. In planting a commercial peach orchard what is the purpose or object desired? Is it not 10 produce merchantable fruit at the least cost and in the shortest time? Then why rob the trees and check their growth by planting crops among them that will rob them of both plant food and moisture, and what it takes to produce them is , that much taken from the support and growth of the trees.
 The three most important elements in fertilizers and plant foods are nitrogen. phosphoric acid and potash. Nitrogen Is by far the most expensive oI these and by far the most essential in the early years of the growth of the trees. This being true. is it a wise policy to buy nj trogen to hurry the growth of the trees, then rob them of this nitrogen by plant ing these heavy crops among them? True, that the vine crops as recommend ed will need some nitrogen, but these store more than they take up from the soil. Besides they shade the soil and thus prevent the escape of nitrogen. If the reader is planting commercial peach orchard and wishes to head off the best competitor in time as well as In fine fruit, never plant crops that will re- he Of httt nj