The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-25
DELIGHTED WITH
 LOSS OF HIS CROP Dr. Wood of Haleyville Is a
 True Optimist REST WILL HELP TREES Genial Doctor Is Proud Possessor of 3O,000 Fruit Trees and Is
 Doing a Great Public
 Service
REST WILL HELP TREES
By WALTER HARPER

1 The man who can smile in the face or loss of thousands of dollars during the passing of one night has the essence or success in his bone.
 l After weatherng several heavy frosts with but little loss in February, cold' l biting wind in March killed practically the entire crop of peaches in the orchard of pr. R. w. Wood of Haleyvile. This orchard contains 30,o00 trees and is the second largest in the state. The largest belongs to D. c. Turnipseed at Union l Springs.
 The destruction of a big crop on an orchard of 3O.000 trees spells some loss and is one not easily taken by any man, and especially after you have almost counted the crates and felt the thrill of the cash.
 1 But I rode with pr. Wood over his immense orchard today and watched the smile of unabating enthusiasm that play ed across his rugged face.
 He feels his loss keenly but note of mastering optimism overshadowed every regret Dr. Wood is not a man to cry over spilled milk.
  crop in this section for s7 years,' said he, 'and another is not likely to come in many more. And then one year of famine is really benefit to the orchard.
 For instance, this orchard produced an enormous crop last year. This is al- ways detrimental to the growth and strength of the orchard. One years rest from fruit-bearing in which the trees have time and opportunity to gather limb area and strength will be benefit to the orchard l calculate that I will re- gain 33 1-3 per cent of this years loss next year and will have better orchard by reason of this years failure" Now. this is true optimism. This is optimism that cannot be assailed with any sort of argument-that cannot be shaken Yet 1t Is the optimism of true philosophy.
 Dr. Wood pointed out one tree, a Georgia Belle, that bore 1262 fine peaches last year. This was just a fraction less than S1s bushels Today we could not find one peach on this tree.
 "The Georgia Belle and the Greens boro stood the frost and cold wind bet 
 the orchard said pr. Wood, though there are but very few of these peaches in the orchard having survived the cold wind of March 12.
 While this financial loss is very heavy for me, 1 am trying to take every advantage of 1t in improving the general condition of the orchard for the future. II feel very certain that such a disaster will not happen again for many years and that I will have time and oppor- tunity to recover my losses. This is the first failure In this section for 37 years.
 T know of no better section than this for fruit growing. We have almost per feet soil and air drainage. This orchard commands an altitude of 1929 feet. Our frost season Is almost two months short CT than the average of the state.
 "The soil here is also wonderfully adapted to the fruit-growing industry. We have a fine sandy loam with red clay subsoi By deep blowing and proper cul- tivation 1t is capable of great produc- | tiveness.
 From the public square of Haleyville the water drains in three directions. h. to the Warrior. the Tombigbee and the Tennessee basins. There is hardly a bet ter fruit-growipg section in the state tndn this"
 Dr. Woods orchard of 3O,0O0 trees pre- sents 8 most inspiring view. It occupies a number of rolling hills and are in such position that almost every one of the 3O,0c0 trees can be seen from several positions.
 In the orchard are 750 fine apple trees. These are loaded with fruit this year. There are bO0 pear trees. This Is said to be the finest pear growing section in the state. He is putting out large orchard of cherries this year.
 
 Five acres of fine land Is being pre- pared for strawberries that will be set next fall.
 pr. Wood has 300 acres of the choicest land in this section. His location in Haleyvile was mere accident. fs.
 Before coming here he was practicing medicine at Jasper and had tried fruit growing as a fad Three successive fall ures discouraged him. but did not cool his determination. About five years ago he was called to Haleyville to see a patient. It was during the fruit season and the small orchards about the little mountain town were loaded. On investigation he found that there had not been a failure for more than 30 years.
 This was the straw that turned the course of his career He bought 900 acres and gave up all his business at Jasper
 All the trees in his orchard are under five years of age. He has 7500 four-year- old Carmans that are as fine and healthy as can be found in the state. He also has several hundred Elbertas that are premium takers.
 Dr. Wood makes a scientific study of fruit culture and is considered one of the best practical horticulturists in Ala bama
 He is preparing to build a handsome residence overlooking his orchard in the edge of the town that would be credit to any town in the state. It will be equipped with private water works sup piled from five fine springs at the foot of the hill. This system has already been installed and he has water in his present hon,e, in the barn and to other points on the farm.
 Dr. Wood devotes some attention to the raising of fine Berkshire hogs, He has some of the best stock in this section and Is dcing great public service in the n- troduction of modern methods and choice breeds.
 pr Wood is an optimist of my par ticular liking.
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