The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-05

Hrotscneft Scniey, FdDSA, Oooi SIC, N tis. and Russell. It seems that one would be safe in planting any of these eight favorites.
 Before ordering nursery stock, make the acquaintance of good, renaDie nurseryman and if possible visit his nursery and inspect the trees he is of- fering. Beware of the tree peddler. because he Is frequently a swindler or the worst type. Travelling agents have been known to sell bitternut hickory seedlings. pulled from the Southern swamps, for grafted oceans. This fraud is not likely to be discovered un- tii the agent has got his money and iroile. since the buds Of the pecan and bitternut are very similar. Even if the tree peddler should furnish pecan trees Of the best varieties, he must make a very large profit in order to earn his salary and travelling expenses; and the purchaser pays the bills every time.
 Before planting a pecan orchard. the grower should give considerable thought to the selection of the site. The wild trees are most thrifty and attain the largest dimensions, on rich alluvial bottom lands. The vigor of the tree in the production of wood In such situation is likely to cause tardi- ness in bearing. Upland Is to be pre- ferred to bottom land. if nuts are the crop 10 be desired. A soil containing considerable lime is preferable. and 1t ohould be only moderately fertile and we'll drained m
 Many growers advise spacing the trees forty to fifty feet apart. The writer believes. however. that thirty feet is wide enough. When the trees began to bear there will be more trees to bear and consequently larger crop. When their crowns begin to crowd, the poorest trees sh ouid be thinned out. Tksf1va frre er tnaff ha ro1 a the right time and continued until the full grown trees are at least sixty feet apart.
 whhe the young trees are growing to bearing size, the epace between the rows should be devoted to field crops. such as cotton and corn. in order that an income may be obtained from the land. Cow peas should be sown among the corn, and both the corn stalks and pea vines should be turned under with the blow in the fall. The frequent tillage of the soil necessary to grow the field crons will be of great advant- age to the trees. During the period of cultivation grasses should not be per- roitted to gain foothold in the or ohard. Grass is one of the worst ene- mics with which tree has to con- tend.
 Of course live stock must be rigidly excluded from the orchard. Cattle and trees do not thrive together, and this rule not only tolds good for the or ehard and shade trees, but for the for est as well.
 Far-7ars should take care of their wild pecan trees and have them top grafted with fine papershell varieties. This is the quickest method of getting pecan orchard. The top grafted trees. If of bearing size when grafted. will begin to he productive in four or i've years The nuts of the grafted varie- ties will bring 25 or 30 cents per pound, instead of or 10 cents, the price usu. ally obtained for the wild nuts.
 Do not enter into tho. pecan business with the exrectation that you are going to get rich quick from the returns Go into 1t at first in small way until you learn the business. and then grad ually extend your orchard.
 El How tO Begin q School Garden.
 San Antonio. Texas. Farm and Ranch:
 As I am interested in the initial school garden of Texas. perhaps is would not be apaiss in me to outline a plan to be followed this spring by anyone caring to begin.i There is on- ly one way to begin--that Is to begin. Take my word for it, if you want a school garden you can have 1t and you will be surprised at the ease with WhA~H " GOhlGS aDOuI. The delight or seeing we'll worked beds springing up with beautiful green shoots will repay you ten fold your trouble The de- light of your pupils in unbounded en- thusiasm will repay you hundred fold. You will surprise yourself in what you and your children can do in six weeks.
 of fifty-six pupils, boys and girls. Select part of your school yard or secure the use of a vacant lot adja- cent to your school. Try to get a place that drains messurably we'll Drain by ditches if necessary. Have pupils plot in the room 8 lot 45x45 feet. Leave fve-foot walk through the center each way. Cut the rest into beds 3 feet by 20 feet. If you make beds over feet wide they can not work the middle of the bed easily. According to your plot you have 30 beds 3x20 feet. Have pupils estimate number of square feet in the whole gardon, the beds, the walks, etc. Give exercise tn counting up cost of fencing with different material.
 After each has worked out a plot on paper go to the garden with tape line and stake off whole garden into quarters and walks. Hire some one to blow the quarters. Have boys clear the land of rocks or trash beforehand. u Have pupils now stake off tho beds Let plOwuan run furrows separating beds. Tn some of our city gardens boys have brought teams and done all the blowing, etc, Give each boy a bed for himself. They will supply them% selves with tools. If you are crowded for room cut beds in two or let two hoys go into partnership.
 If you have no sewing or cooking for the girls give them the beds left after boys have been supplied. Let them plant flowers and light vegeta- bleS. City girls love to work the soil as well as the boys.
 Now use your rake to level of and dt ess one bed, Cut your bed ur into smaller ones, if you wish to keep plants seperate/ Don't be afraid to handle the tools yourself-lead right out and the pupils will gladly follow. Your garden work will lack interest if you stand about under an umbrella with gloved hands. directing other people to dig in the earth. Remember ''of dust thou art" You will soon lose your dyspepsia and pale. checks by breathing the fresh air and indulgiug in good physical exercise good spading fork beats dumb-bells any day Anyway set the example and they will all be anxious to take the tool away from you After beds are all nicely smoothed off you can begin to plant
 Radlshes are the quickest to bring returns. Lettuce Is also easily start ed in spring. Of the beds not assign ed to individuals reserve some for class work Plant in them your ex- pertinent crops, such as new varieties corn, rye, oats, etc, Okra does well in any corner The ordinary run of