The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-09-10

Facts In q Nutshell.

To The Editor of the lSeus and Courier:
4 good deal of interest is being developed
in the growing Of the Texas tliin-shell
pecan, which promises greater results
financially than can be obtained by the
raising OF oranges. walnUls, almonds,
pruncs or olives.
The long life of the pccat, is largely i'll
its favor, because, unlike most orchard
productions, one planting will last for
generations, bearing even for six hundred
years.
One secret of its long life IS its tap root,
which will go down to the depth of thirty
feet or more, if required, for moisture,
feeding upon soils unreached by ordi-
nary surface rooted trees. While many
trees are pcrishing for want of moisture,
the pecan is green and thrifty, making
delightful shade, which can be trained
into wide-spreading trees if desired.
The wild trees commence bearing at
six years old, at eight years will begin to
pay, and at the ago of ten years will yield
from $50 to 200 pounds per tree; at fifteen
will yield from 10 to Is bushels, some
times more. Cultivation improves them,
it's earlier bearing, increased size, thinner
shells and larger prodtcts-a fact not
universally known. Unlike most trees
planted from the seed, at least 90 per
cent of the product of the pecan will be
like the seed planted-possibly 100 per
cent.
Being of the hickory family the pecan
can be grown whero the hickory can, but
it is reasonable to suppose that in the
northern part of the United States nature
would provide d thicker husk for cover
ing the nut. The pecan neither trans
plants, gratis nor buds well, so the only
safe way is to plant the root where the
tree is to stand.
There is no need of giving up the
ground wholly to the growth Of the Pc
can, because the ground can be used by
growing peaches, Irish potatoes, toma-
toes, beans, peas or strawberries. Plant
ing IS by 35 for the pecan, peach trees
can be planted every III feet, giving 36
pecan trees per acre and s5 peach trees,
between which in rows can be grown the
smaller products. When the pecan trees
come into bearing the peach trees will
have served their time and can be re-
moved.
To u.Ilize lands which lie along the
streams and overflow so as to render
them of no value for ploughed crops, the
pecan can be planted among the standing
trees IS by 35 feet apart.
Persons may plant out so to 100 acres in
pecans and farm the land until the trees
come into bearing, when they will re-
ceive larger income from the pecans-
ten times as great rs from any farm crop,
acre for acre.
Having no enemies, hardy, thrifty,
easily grown, they pay botter profits on
the investment than anything else
known, banking, real estate, bonds or
stocks not excepted. At only one cent
per pound, the hard shell pecans are
worth twenty-five cents per pound in the
markets, they will earn ten times as
much as cotton will at ten cents per
pound. Ten acres in pecans will earn
more clear profit than five hundred acres
will in cotton at ten cents per pound.
Fifty acres in pccans will earn more
net profit when ten years old than bank
with capital of 100000 earning 10 per
cent. At fifteen years will earn more
than bank with 100000 earning 10 per
cent, counting the pecans at ten cents
per pound.
Some may doubt these figures, but
they can be abundantly verified, show
ing that here is an industry which is
worth millions to the United States, and
can be carried on by any one owning
land at little cost, risk, care or trouble.
If doubted, write to the undersigned,
who will give further information If
wanted. HERBERT PcsT.
Fort Worth, Iexas.