416 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



grow south of the Georgia line and oranges won't grow north of the Flot- 

 icla line. Talce a liint right liere — it is not safe for the beginner to depend 

 on nursery catalogues, or even State society reports. This matter of fruit 

 raising is to be largely determined by location, soil, climate and brain and 

 brawn of the man behind the plow and at the end of the hoehandle. The 

 fact is. I have been a beginner for over thirty years, and am yet a be- 

 ginner, from the fact that there is more that I don't know than I do 

 know. The man Avho may say, "I know all and enough," is a fool or 

 a liar. The orchard, the garden, the vineyard and the truck patch is open 

 to the beginner. This malces a big held to cover with elbow grease and 

 head work. The world must have fruit and they get it, but the producer 

 oft at the season's close, goes and sets down at his fireside with a heavy 

 heart and a light purse. 



The beginner should be very careful in the selection of varieties. For 

 myself I can say that thirty years ago I planted a thousand pear trees 

 of more than a dozen varieties, and not over one-fifth paid for planting in 

 fruit. I will say this: That I know of no other business that has as 

 much pleasure and as much fun and hard work and as little money in 

 it as fruit growing. This don't apply to all sections of our big country, but 

 to sections only where the business is not properly organized and con- 

 ducted. When I was a "starter" thirty years ago in fruit raising I con- 

 sulted the V)ooks. catalogues and my neighbors as to what I should plant 

 and how to plant it, and care and cultivate; but I got such mixed advice 

 and such questionable information froiin print and talk that for several 

 years mj' income was more from experience than money. Experience 

 brings knowledge, and maybe wisdom, and the man who lives and don't 

 learn is an odd count, and a misfit, and should not go into the fruit busi- 

 ness to make money. 



Whether you start to raise fruit for market or home use, have a care 

 of the tree peddler, for he has fooled people from Adam's day to this 

 day. Get your trees and plants from your nearest nurseries, if reliable. If 

 you do tliis you will save money and disappointment and trouble.— W. 

 Cook, Rural Neck, Ky. 



MAINTAINING FERTILITY OF FRUIT LANDS. 



The cowpea is a good crop to add fertility to the soil. It is a summer 

 crop, a bean and a very tender one. It should not be planted until the 

 ground is thoroughly warm or until late corn planting time. It is the 

 strongest growing legume and will sprout and grow in any soil, no matter 

 how poor. Broadcast one bushel per acre or drill in one-half bushel or 

 less of seed. Plant with a bean or seed drill in rows two and one-half 

 feet apart. The cowpea will gi"ow wherever corn will gi'ow. It may not 

 mature, but the early varieties will nearly do so. The Little Black Whip- 



