Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-10-23
Pecan Culture for Texas.

bAZETTE IeNaS Is tue udtuA"I
the pecan. The origin of a species Is
reasonably supposed 10 nave 'aAen
place in a region of country most con-
genial TO that species, therefore upon
this idea one must conclude that the hrst
pecan tree grew and fruited at some
point in the Lone star state; for, IN is
natural condition, it attains to so great
degree OF perfection in no other region.
In the minds of the people all over the
country Texas and the very best pecanS
appearing upon any market are INSOFAR
ably associated. OF course pecaas grow
% some extent in few other regions,
but on account of their comparative In
IarIority one finds himself jumping to the
hypothesis that they are simply out
spreads, ngainst less favorable condi-
lions, from the original center in Texas.
Texas, then, being of all sections of
the world the most favorable for the
pecan, aud the pecan nut being an ar
tIcle of commerce ever in demand at
good prices, with tbs demand constantly
growing, one cannot do otherwise than
recognize the great importance of an ex-
tended pecan culture here, especially
since it is entirely evident, all things
considered, that nothing in the way OF
tree production could pay US better or
even near so well. Indeed, there is no
tree growth, counting outlay and income,
that could pay any region so well As the
pecan might be made to pay us in Texas.
Az the peoRns we might be able te pro-
duca would never glut the market, for
the whole civilized world wants them,
m 81,
far rs relates to quality.
The pecan most delights III low allu-
vial lands along rivers and large creeks.
An occasional overflow from the streams
does not at all hurt it, but, on the other
hand, makes a more favorable condition
for its growth than would exist where
there was no overflow. Thus it will be
seen that we have along our streams
thousands upon thousands OF acres of
laud entirely suited 10 pecan culture that
now are looked upon as not entirely safe
for any other crop. They are really the
very best lands In the state, aud would
now he figuring as our very garden spots
but for an existing danger that some
unlookedfor flood in the streams nigh:
bring about temporary inundation, which
would seriously damage or entirely spoil
the ordinary crops. On this account
they are quite generally left out of use
ana turned over to worthless weeds and
not over profitable indigenous tree
growths.
Every acre OF these lands ought to be
set to pecans. True an old man starting
the trees might not live long enough to
reap any direct benefit from them, but
they would enhance the value of the
lands from the day when they were es-
tablished, and they would come in as
regular gold mine, so TO speak, for the
young people soon TO take our places,
aud for the rising generation through
centuries to follow.
The cost of converting our lands liable
10 overflow into pecan groves would be so
small as to scarcely deserve the name of
cost. There is no need, whatever, of
clearing them up. The pecan likes nat
ural conditions better than conditions of
any other character that We could turn
over TO it. 1t IL natural growth of
Texas. Go in among the wild growths of
the bottom and line out your rows, and
al Zach point where pecan tree should
stand clear off a space OF eight or ten
feet around, and in the center dig hole,
say eighteen inches deep. ScTape into
this hole surface soil until filled, and
then plant three or four nuts three
inches deep, and tramp on the "hill' TO
pack the covering little. This COM
pletes the job.
1t is well to notice the lean of adjacent
trees. If. when cut away, they would
unavoidably fall upon the young pecan
tree, il might be best to cut them away
at once. No other trees need be dis
Iurbed-their shade will be more OF ad-
vantage than otherwise.
The after culture of the new grove
will be extremely simply. You will make
q run OF the rows once or twice in the
course of the season, and destroy the
Immediately incroachins weeds. When
the young trees sprlnGing from the nuts
seem TO be established you will cut away
the weaker specimens, leaving only one
(the best specimen) in the chill. -
Nothing additional will be needed. A
few years later, when the young pecan
trees are getting well up, you can COM
mepce cutting out the crowding growths
for G re-wood, thing you would be apt
10 do anyway, even though the pecan
trees were not there. This operation can
be continued from year to year until,
when the pecan trees are large enough
TO occupy the ground alone, there will
be nothing left in the way. No other
clearing Is Al all necessary, not even a
removal of the brush left by the out
away growths-its remaining on the
ground 10 rot and mingle with the soil
will prove of decided advantage TO pecan
grove.
The present time, when pecans are
just ripe, is an excellent one for securing
n supply of desirable seed nuts. a little
judgment ought to be exercised in the
selection. lou should plant only the
best thin shell varieties, as these iEvari-
ably command the highest figures on the
market, and you ought 20 know some
thing of the tree that yielded them. If
the tree be near trees bearing the inferior
hard-shell varieties the seed nuts will not
be entirely safe, as the pecan is much
inclined to cross on varieties, but il the
tree stands so much as one hundred
yards (three hundred would be safer)
away from any hard-shell trees every
nut will be almost sure to come true to
The thin-s shells.
We don't wish to put up anything
against our enterprising nurserymeu who
have in stock young pecan trees. but for
the general good we cannot well get
aroand saying that the pecan, for best
results, should be invariably grown from
seed planted where the trees are TO stand.
Nursery stock transplants nicely. but the
"a ha tar Oft w Is