The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-14
Fruit and Nut Culture.

correspondent of The Nut Journal tell. how he combines fruit and nut culture. and finds them very profitable It will be seen that he condemns the strin gfeilow meth cd Of growing trees saying that while it may do for Texas. 1t will not do for Ala bama-~ Thero is no doubt that 1t has been a success in Texas and also in New Jersey It is possible that the writer has not given the method a fair trial.
 Your journal stands for an industry fin which find much pleasure and profit Fruit and nuts comprise the chief products Of the o. K. Fruit Farm at FforaIa. Ala. consist ing Of l.l00 acres in peaches-16 O0o trees, and 12o acres in pecans-1.5o0 trees. This years of pleasant exercise-not labor. as 1t would seem-of the proprietor, twenty years of whose life was previously spent on a cotton farm. and with a degree of success True. cotton is the chief product of our Southland. and I would say that it should be the crop of all who own land that Is best adapted to 1t: but AS all nature Is diversified. so is the soil of the South. hence diversification on the farm is reasonable.
 We often err by persisting in planting cotton on land unfit for its growth, but we'll adapted to fruit. To illustrate: Six years ago a tract of land containing 43o acres was added to the o. K. Fruit Farm. and from 1t the owner received three bales of cotton. or $150. rent. This farm was then planted to peaches. The first and second year expenses were met with cotton, peas. etc The third years crop returns from three-year- old trees were s6.000 the fourth or last years crop amounted to forty-three solid cars of peaches. or $17.000 As it ts often asked how the profits compare. give these facts. which can be substantiated These lands are unfit for cotton. though well adapted to the peach: other lands we'll adapted to cotton are. as a rule. totally un- fit for the peach. On all such lands the pc can can be successfully and very profitabiv grown, and in connection with cotton the two being congenial in habit. and the ordina- ry cultivation given cotton is all the pecan needs until 1t comes to a profitable bearing age. Again. to illustrate: On the o. K Farm is a tract of land. suited to cotton cleared thirteen years ago and planted to oceans, cultivated only in cotton every year since. The trees bore a few nuts at six years of age, increasing each year. until this year at twelve years. the crop of nuts was worth over $1.000. The rent of s4 per acre was received for the land. The trees are seedlings: some are very fine. others not so satisfactory.
 am often asked which to plant. nuts or budded stock. I would say. of to be planted on q large scale. for economy of means. would advise planting the best nuts. and all trees not satisfactory after bearing can be. topworked. If the first cost is not an item. the best budded varieties are advisable In which case the purchaser should see that he is supplied with stock with good lateral roots to prevent loss by the trees dying. and to secure ready growth after transplanting. If there is only the taproot. this being cut the root is liable to the attacks of wood lice beforo 1t forms callus. and the trees vitality Is destroyed
 The pecan can be grown in connection with the peach. also. if the land Is rich eonugh. It does not interfere with the peach and when the peach dies out. 1t is ready to occupy the land. In all cases would advise both of these to he cultivated True this is contrary to the "Strnsfellow" method Ills may he best in Texas. but am sure 1t will not do In Alabama
 other nuts grow we'll and deserve a trial The English and Japan walnut grow to per lection on the O. K. Farm. Prof. Van Deman informs us that the English walnut can be grafted successfully on the native walnut of tho South. thus procuring hardness. and therefore 1t should be found on every farm
 Much can be said fin praise of these i'm portant branches of horticulture. besides others. and the adaptability of the soil Of our Southland to small fruit culture. truck ing. etc. The large demand for these prod ucts, together with our excellent transport ation facilities and demonstrated success. should. and am happy to know is. attract ing capital to these indastries