The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-16
HORTICULTUR IN ALABAMA
 IS BECOMING PROFITABLE
Soil Yields Excellent Returns Of Fruits And Vegetables And Farmers Are Giving More Study To The Industry. Youths should Pay More Attention To It.
BY R. s. MACINTOSH.

With our equitable climate. varied ,soll, and other natural resources. no one need fear for the future of Ala bama.
 Hand in hand with the valuable pro- i ducts obtained from the mines and fac- 1 tories, there must come from the soil more and better fruits and vegetables, To accomplish this, means the follow ing of better and more modern meth ods of preparing the soil, fertilizing and finally the handling of the pro- duets.
 As our nation becomes richer there is a constantly increasing demand for more food products. The planters of Alabama should heed this and strive in all possible ways to share in the profits. To a large extent we have to depend on distant markets and our in- dustry could not prosper if 1t were not for the swift transportation facilities now provided by the several through railway lines. In time better accom- modations will be provided. as well as a fairer adjustment of rates. Home consumption of fruits and vegetables becomes greater as our cities prosper and increase in population It seems to me that nearly all our cities need more truckers located near them in order to provide the necessary veg etables ->
  third of the strictly agricultural land in Alabama is now under cultivation, we can see that there Is practically no limit to the advances which may be made. so far as available land is concerned. There is plenty of room for more people and our country would be wealthier If there were more small happy homes.
 CrOfitabIe Horticultural Crops.
 It has been demonstrated time and time again that we can produce prof itabiy a goodly number of horticul- tural crops. With the same care and attention given to sthe production of peaches. strawberries, cantaloupes or irish potatoes, as is given to our suc- cessful commercial enterprises. there would come just as good returns. AS rule, the small fruit or vegetable grower is the most successful. because he is able to take personal charge of the work and to put his head and hands" into it.
 Just at this time quite q number of the peach growers are much dis tained during the past two years How ever, many of these knew nothing about peach growing until they planted their orchards. It Is no wonder that they find many difficulties to overcome. No one should start an enterprise with out giving much attention to the places where losses may be expected In this line we have to consider the chances of failures from storms, in- sects, fungus pests, drouth, CT loss from inadequate shipping facilities. Competition becomes keener each year between individuals and even between the several sections of the country.
 Throughout the nation and yes the world, more and more attention Is giv- en to the study of agricultural prob- lerns Our nation is each year spend ing vast sums to the end that our country may become richer. Our own states is doing it's share in this respect in fostering the District Agricultural Schools and Alabama Polytechnic Insti- tute. believe that more should be