The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-03
 Agricultural Department ,  CONDUCTED FULTON s. WHITE
COMMERCIAL APPLE GROWING.
CONDUCTED BY FULTON s. VT

The apple Is frult or rosaceOus tree (pyrus malus), a native, probably of cen tral Asia. The tree Is now cultivated in nearly all temperate regions in numer- ous varieties, and it's fruit is in universal use. It was introduced into America from England in 1929 by the governor of Massa- chusetts Bay It is scarcely know now in its wild state but on it's escape from cultivation it's fruit becomes small, acid and harsh and is known as the crab. The cultivated crab apple Is the fruit of other species of pyrus.
 The apple Is, perhaps, more extensively cultivated than any other of our many fruits, and is more popular than any other fruit. We could better dispense with any or all fruits than the apple. The fruit is healthful and can be used in more ways than any other fruit. and is more univer- sally known and used. With the increase in population. there is constant ln- crease in the demand for fine apples, and this demand will always make the growing of fine apples a profitable industry. Not only have we a growing demand at home for this fruit, but the foreign demand for l fine stocks of American apples Is con stantly increasing.
 Commercial apple growing is like other best on the market. To enable the grow CT who will study the matter and give it l the careful consideration which it deserves will always be able to get the cream of the market for it always pays to grow nrst-class stock, and to put none but the btst on the market To enable the grow CT to do this and to assist him as far as possible is the object in publishing these articles. We feel that there is a great need at this time for few prae- tical suggestions along the line of apple growing.
 Much has been written on tEe subject of horticulture and apple growing in par ticular, yet the subject is not nearly exhausted by any means. In work or this kind. I shall have to be brief and conhne myself to short, practical facts, which will not only aid the reader who may be seeking for a location where he may engage in fruit growing, but also, at the same time, give to the new be- gnner such information as will enable him to succeed in horticulture. Information that will assist him to do this is the kind of information that we shall try to impart. What the new be- ginner needs and should have is plain, practical information that will enable him to take the fruit tree from the nursery and proceed with it step by step until he has from it fine fruit ready for the mar ket.
 Location.
 The matter of location, or the selection of a section suitable for the best devel- opment of the apple, is a matter that should, first of all, attract the atten- tion of the grower In this there are many things that should be carefully considered. Climate and soil should pc well looked into, also the facilities Tor getting the fruit to both home and fof- eign markets should be well considered. There are sections where commercial iep- pie growing may be made very proft- able and other sections where any effort would prove a failure. The class of ap- pies to be grown, as well as the markets for which they are grown, are matters | that should be well considered.
 Should the grower decide to grow early apples for market, he should go as far south as there are lands suited for this class of apples If he is to grow win-er apples he should select sections adapted to this class of fruit, and, as stated be- fore, in making these selections of lands he must not overlook facilities he will have for reaching the markets from such sections This matter of easy access 10 markets is one of great importance, as it largely determines the question of profits. In a broken country, where the roads are rough, transportation over such { roads reduces the profits of apple growing very fast.
 Local Location.
 After the section of country has been decided upon, the question of location on 1.-the farm should De well considered. An apple orchard is something that is eN- pected to be a fixture for some time on farm, and so should be located to very best advantage, for a mistake in this matter is not easily corrected The grower should take everything into consideration before location.
 The orchard should be located SO that the fruit will not have to be hauled lar for packing. Again, the orchard should where there is sufficient fall to make drainage Then, again, the orchard should be so easily and cheaply fenced provided one should want to use it for pasture for hogs or other stock. All these little de- tails should be taken into account, as well as the matter of soil.
 Soil and Soil Preparation The soil and preparation of the soil Is