The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-09
HorticuIturists.

AOrttculturiBtss
 Southern Farm Fazette.
 The following extracts are from the annual address of President w. F. Heikes. of the Alabama State Horticul- tura1 Society, at the third annual meet ing. President Heikes is well known to Gazette readers being constant advertiser: and he is work CT for advancing horticultural Interests. He spoke in part as follows:
 One of the subjects well worthy or your time and attention. and which would suggest for discussion, is that of cover crops for orchards. We hope we have with us members who have made experiments along this line and that they will give us the benefit or their experience.' Professor Duggars admirable paper on Orchard Cover Crops read at our last years meet ing cited facts sufficient to show the great need of such crops. This sub ject, being so intimately related to that of fertilizers, would naturally lead us to expect in the course of it's discussion more recent information as to the most suitable fertilizers for our purposes, and the best methods of ap- plying them.
 It is highly gratifying to note the growth within recent years of the kind- Her feeling towards birds and animals. and the consequent greatly lessened de- sire to kill or injure them, thanks to the advanced ideas embodied In our modern methods of education. in which nature study Is given an important place. Every educational institution throughout the land would be doing a praiseworthy work by impressing upon the young, on every suitable occasion, how very essential 1t Is that the birds have proper protection. An illustrated lecture on the subject of Southern birds should be given at least once year at every town and city school in our State.
 To stimulate the personal interest Of the school children would suggest the organization of an Alabama Society for the protection of birds. Recognizing, as you doubtless do, the friendly of1ce performed by birds, one of our greatest aids in destroying the pernictous in- sects that constantly menace our or- chards, you will pardon my dwelling at some length upon this theme.
 Our members could do good mission ary work by encouraging the planting in their respective localities of well known and best adapted varieties Of shade, fruit and nut trees for home purposes, as well as for commercial. Home orchards planted to such trees, well selected and properly cared for, could be made useful as test orchards in determining locations pest sulteo for commercial plantings.
 The advantage we have gained under the law relating to pernicious insects, along with the more effective means found and tested which enable us to better control the insect pests and plant diseases. have greatly strength ened the confidence of those who are ged In fruit growing as business.
 The field for commercial fruit and vegetable growing in this State Is an inviting one for those who will plant wisely and exercise due diligence and care in the conduct of their business in view of the good markets that we be- Iieve await them. The climate and soil of Alabama are so favorable that but a small area can be found within its borders where the fruit and garden products do not succeed sufficiently well to enable the farmer or lot owner to produce a succession of fruits and vegetables during the greater part or the year. A large inducement is thus offered to those in the far North, where the growing season is very short and the discomforts of the long winter are very greet, to try their fortunes in our more genial climate.
 believe 1t would result In much good to our society if under its auspices the members would make an annual ex- bibit at the State fair of fruits. nuts, flowers, vegetables and specimens or wood from forest. trees native t othe State. and of whatever else would be or interest to the horticulturist. Eacn exhibitor, however, to receive person. al recognition and due credit.