The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-08-19
MONEY IN PECAN CULTURE
WONDERFUL STORY OF THE PROFIT FROM
cULTIvATING THE NUTS.
Let Our Landowners Read This. and
Then do Their Duty in Planting
Trees From which Il Fortune May
be Gathered
Southern Cultivator.


Southern Cultivator.
The many letters that have received since
my last article on Pecan Culture. published
in the Cultiyator, show that your circulation
is very large and well read by your subScrlo-
erS.
this subject OF pecan culture has been in their
minds Tor some time, and that they are de-
termned TO commence this season ana plant
orchards, as they see In that an easy way 10
amaSS wealth at Il very small expenditure OF
money.
Very few people in the cotton growing
States have given any thought TO orchard
products. Had these people, Immediately at
ter the war, turned their attention to orchard
products, the South would be to-day the rich
est part OF the United States. All the fruits
California, which have brought such wealth TO
OF the State, can be grown in the southern
States, some parts being we'll adapted to the
growth OF any and all fruits or nuts that are
grown west OF the Rocky Mountains. A 1T
Tie history of what California has done ana is
now doing in fruit and nut culture may be oil
interest, and stimulate the cotton States to
grow something OF more value 10 them than
cotton.
Thirty years ago very little attention had
been paid TO fruit culture in California, 1t be-
ing generally believed that State could only
produce the mineral products. In 1S9U the
State Board OF Trade OF California report the
value of the wheat and flour product at Sl9 ;
327 QUO, while they shipped 10000 car loads Of
fruit OF all sorts, which aggregated $40 ,S5S, QUO
over 500, 900 more than the grain products,
Fifteen years ago the attention of the people
was turned in earnest to fruit and nut cul-
ture. and the above Is the result. A result
which the people of the Southern States can
reach in less than fifteen years If they SO VIII
it.
Pasadena Ca lifornia, now has popula-
ton OF about 5000. In 1915 the land upon
which the city now stands was held at seven
dollars per acre. In seven years, or 1882, the
land was valued and sold in large quantities
at 500 to 81 900 per acre, which was planted in
fruits and nuts.
Within twenty years fruit and nut culture
has brought land which the owner protested
against being taxed seventy-five cents per
acre to the present values of S5OO to Sl,3OO per
acre. Only lately have they commenced
planting prunes in California, and there are
now about 100000 trees planted outside OF
the planting during the winter OF lSSS-S9 In
lSSS they produced about seven million
pounds; while the same year we imported
10 OOO, 900 pounds. They are now planting al.
monds and olives in addition to other pro-
duets. both of which will earn them q mint
Of money.
inhabitants, This valley last year, produced,
from 600O acres in orchard products, S2,22j,00O
OF this oranges were l 500 car loads, while the
raisin crop was estimated at S450,0OO Here
we see the average earnings OF 6,OV acres was
$50 per acre. which included oranges, pruneS,
peaches, apricotS, walnuts, etc., etc.
The Southern States are nearer market by
/ 600 miles than California, and they can, IN
tue same length Of time or less, become equal
ly wealthy. Let Florida grow the oranges
and lemons, and the other cotton States take
up other orchard products, any and ali o1
which pay handsome pl otits.
AS | said in my former article on the Guilt.
vaton of the Texas So(t.Shell Pecan, the de-
velopments which are being made, as study
of their value to the States east OF the Rocky
Mountains, are simply astounding; SO much
SO that am afraid TO print the whole truth
nhOnt SOIL
shell pecan.
In my article gave as the earnings at ten
years, q halfbushel to the tree or $50 per
acre. In talking few days ago with an old
settler, he said that at ten years OF age they
will bear from four to five bushels to the tree.
These, bear in mind, are trees growing wild
This is new industry, for only two years
ago was the first orchard OF the soft-shell
planted here.
One great thing in favor of pecan culture is
the fact that the tree has no enemies, and
goes on bearing for generations; and it costs
so little to plant an orchard, which should al
ways be from the nuts, as 1t has been abund-
antly shown that while success may be Sc
cured by experts, yet the masses would fail II
they transplanted trees or attempted 10 graft
them on anything else. No member OF the
hickory family CRAFTS we'll, so the surcst way
for all concerned is to plant the nuts, and
only the best Texas Soft.shell to get the best
results. When you plant the soft. shell
pecanS, and have no other in your neighbor-
hood TO fertilize them, you can be reasonably
sure that your product will be like what you
plant. The medium sized OF the hard-shell
pecan sell from twenty to twenty-five cents
per pound in most markets. The product Of
your planting of the soft-shell will hardly
ever 60 to less than fifty cents per pound for
consumption, while for seed they will be
worth twice that for several years after bear
ing.
The pecan is the favorite nut and always
will be- and the demand will increase.
doubt not if an orchard is planted where
the soil can be cultivated annually in some
crop. the trees will come into bearing much
sooner than where planted in Il forest of
trees. Nothing ever grown increases land
values as much as orchard fruits and nuts.
a pecan orchard of fifty acres costs but lit
tie for the nuts 10 plant it, yet when the trees
are but one year old q man would be foolish
to part with the land at 100 dollars per acre; /;
not only this but the value of the whole
farm is increased very materily by having a
pecan orchard on 1t. For u fortune at ten
years frou planting, 1t is as sure as the sun
rises, and those who plant this fall will come
in on the top wave. If further information
is wanted write me, enclosing two cent
stamp, and your letter will receive n prompt
answer. HERBERT POST,
T-,,l