Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-02-24
HOW TO MAKE MONEY
GROWING SMALL FRUITS

combined with a distaste for this sort OF
work, constitutes a potential cause for
failure, and indifferent success in fruit
growing.
One may be qualified to deal with the
problems and work connected with gen |
eral farming. and still come short Of
that required in small fruit growing.
There are certain laws now more or
less perfectly understood which must
be conformed to, in our operations con-
nected with soil and plant culture, If
we are to obtain maximum rewards for
labor bestowed.
That is to say, knowledge skillfully
applied brings its own reward.
Now 1t may appear TO the casual and
uninformed observer, shat husbandry Is
simple occupation requiring little or
no education, or skill, when in fact, the
business has to do with most intricate
and wonderful processes in both soil
and plant life, and, while 1T may be
possible to win a degree of success
without a knowledge OF these processes
and laws governing these life forces in
nature, much more. certain and substan-
tial success. and more uniform results
may be had through the possession OF
this knowledge.
The occupation of fruit growing IL
more complicated business even than
general farming, for there are a greater
number of problems to master
The sunshine and rain falls on all
alike. This statement is to be taken in
a general way. AH4
Certain sections of the country have
scant RAINFALL while other sections have
plenty aud to spare Sections or the
country nay pass through severe and
protracted drouth one season and be
I 60 nth
but such conditions are controlled by
fixed laws of nature and have nothing
whatever to do with chance or luck
Now. conditions in the laws of nature
which determine precipitation may vary
with the seasonal changes, but those laws
which determine soil production never.
If a certain soil responds more hberaIly
to our efforts than another, there must be
some cause for this difference in pro-
ductivity. and the cause will usually be
found to be under the control of human
agencies.
If a piece of land is low and subject to
flooding. then 1t must be drained to place
IL on an equal footing with land having
natural drainage.
If the soil is in a condition of acidity
(sour) made so by standing water or be-
cause of conditions brought about by
wrong handling then these abnormal con-
|
in maximum results is the end sought.
For upon congeniality in soil conditions
depends activity in soil life, which in turn
determines the decree OF productiVeness
in soils.
Some localities, because of their situa-
ton are much subject to late spring
frosts. The growing of strawberries un-
der such conditions is precarious busi-
ness.
n Is folly to expect uniform maximum
results where natural conditions are so
! adverse to their successful culture
If one wishes to make a sure thing OF
! success and make good money growing
| small fruits, the first thing that should
be done is to make a close study of these
problems of local changes, and OF the
laws determining soil activities. and then
apply the knowledge thus acquired to the
case in hand.
Because of air drainage thus afforded
higher lying lands should be given the
preference. Proximity to bodies of water
| mitigate the evils resulting from frost
/ preventing often, the lowering OF the
temperature to the frost point.
The question of soil activities is much
more intricate and complicated problem
Activity in soil life is Influenced and de-
termined largely by following named
agencies and factors:
/
content and tIllage. without going into
the details, we can only say that in or
der to give best results soil should be
/ sufficientIy drained. either because of its
| composition and situation, or through
thing and surface drains, so that no
water will stand on its surface. or remain
! In the first eight or ten inches of soil
more than a few hours after rains have
| ceased.
Soil aeration is promoted by effiient til
lage both preparation and maintenance,
which creates and maintains loose, fri
able condition of soil, permitting the cir
culation OF air among soil grains, also by
good drainage, for the presence of stand
| ing water (not soil moisture) in a soil
excludes air.
] But few plants will thrive in a water
logged soil. 1t is poor policy to set plants
in poorly prepared ground, thinking that
right conditions can be brought about
through subsequent tillage.
We shall not attempt to lay down
rule as to the frequency of cultivation
necessary to maintain good tilth nor
manner in which the work may best be
accomplished. 1t should be borne In
mind, however. that the object of main
tainance tillage is to preserve ideal con-
ditions of soil mellowness, hence the
formation of a crust must be prevented.
/ A loose soil surface acts as a soil
moisture conserver 1t also preserves con-
/ genial conditions for the promotion of
activities in soil and plant life. The
keeping down OF weed growth, though
necessary to the welfare of fruit plants,
is but a secondary object In tillaBe, and.
IL rightly managed, will require but a
small amount of hand labor.