MISSISSIPPI 



1353 



large Industry because the latitude is 

 not favorable for apples. However, the 

 early summer varieties are grown in 

 considerable quantities for the early mar- 

 ket because they can be shipped in com- 

 petition with storage fruits grown in the 

 northern regions, and by some persons 

 are considered preferable. 



Among the most profitable of small 

 fruits is the strawberry, which can be 

 successfully grown in almost all parts 

 of the state, can be placed in the early 

 markets of the North and sold at good 

 prices. Grapes also can be grown in 

 most parts of the state and the long sea- 

 sons are favorable for the rapid growth 

 of the vine. 



The mean temperature of Mississippi 

 is 64 degrees Fahrenheit for the state, 

 67 degrees Fahrenheit for the coast, and 

 61 degrees Fahrenheit for the northern 

 border. During a period of 20 years the 

 extremes of temperature ranged at the 

 coast from 1 degree to 100 degrees 

 Fahrenheit. 



GRANVrLLE LOWTHEK 



APPLE GROWING IX MISSISSIPPI 



Apple growing may never be of great 

 commercial importance in Mississippi, but 

 the writer sees no reason why it should 

 not be of much more importance than it 

 now is. It has been demonstrated that 

 good apples can be grown in the state 

 and at a profit. Even if they could 

 not be grown commercially there is no 

 reason why the farmer cannot grow 

 enough for home use. It is often said 

 that apples can be bought cheaper than 

 they can be grown in the South. Grant- 

 ing this to be true, can the farmer and 

 others who would buy them get apples 

 and good ones when they want them? 

 Very few first-class apples reach the 

 smaller towns in Mississippi. The bulk of 

 the apples found on our local markets 

 are No. 2s or culls. These have sold at 

 times for $2 and more per bushel by 

 retail and found the demand at these 

 prices greater than the supply. 



Diversification is the keynote to suc- 

 cess on the farm. Fruit should be regard- 

 ed not as a luxury but as a necessary 



article of food. The sooner more of our 

 farmers cultivate the habit of growing a 

 greater variety of food crops at home the 

 sooner we will be on the road to prosper- 

 ity. The less we buy and the more of 

 the surplus we sell the greater will be our 

 progress. 



The Future of the Apple Industry 



The market apples of the future will 

 be produced by specialists, men who will 

 devote their time and thoughts to the 

 study of the problems. This change may 

 be looked upon as a step in advance, for 

 specialization is an evidence of evolu- 

 tion and advancement. More and better 

 fruit at a lower price will be the result. 



Within the past decade more fruit trees 

 have been planted than ever before and 

 within a short time we may expect a 

 great increase in the supply of apples. 



H. C. Thompson, 



Aj?i*ioultiii'al College, Mississippi. 



Time to Plant in Mississippi 



While fruit trees and grapes may be 

 planted at any time during the dormant 

 or inactive period from November to 

 March, it is best to set them as early 

 as possible after the advent of cool, 

 frosty weather. When they are set at 

 this time, the soil settles down nicely 

 about the plants with the first rains; the 

 cut surfaces at the ends of the roots 

 soon heal over, and before midwinter 

 quite a system of newly formed roots 

 will have developed, thus insuring greater 

 immunity from adverse conditions during 

 the following spring and summer than 

 is possible with later plantings. Mid- 

 winter plantings should be made only dur- 

 ing mild weather and when the soil is in 

 good working condition. When planting is 

 deferred until March greater care should 

 be given to the preparation of the soil and 

 to the work of setting. If dry weather 

 prevails water should be applied freely to 

 each tree or vine while it is setting to 

 settle the soil properly about the roots. If 

 dry weather continues, newly set trees 

 and vines may require water several times 

 before growth is established. After each 

 application of water the soil about the 

 plants should be stirred to prevent crust- 



