The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-04
THE QUESTION BOX.
The Pecan Again.


OF the SAVANNAH MORNING News quite
an interesting letter on the cultivation of
The pecan nut, and being interested in the
subject | beg that you will give me some
additional Information pertaining thereto.
would like to know how many acres Of
land it would require to plant a medium
sized grove, the distance apart the nuts
should be planted, whether the soil requires
any special preparation before planting, and
also II the ordinary pecan nut sold in
grocery stores is the kind used, and IL not
where the proper kind can be obtained?
By giving me the information you will
greatly oblige II. c. D.
Savannah, Ga.
1t is common error to plant the trees too
thickly. The proper number of trees per
acre Is from d to 81 Say 42x42 feet or
41xi0.
Ten acres would make very nice grove,
which would aggregate 24O to 270 trees.
A rich sandy soil is the best for the pecan
you have choice of soil. If an orchard
Is started on poor, quilted clays the hkeli-
hood is that only disappointment will en-
sue.
In starting have the soil laid off-42x42 or
40x4O-and prepare hills at the intersection
as carefully as you would in the case Of
peaches or apples. so as to start the young
tree off right
Three selected nuts should be planted in
each bill, having them in triangle 10 inches
apart. Donot be in too big hurry to thin
down to one, but leave at least two for fully
year; if the soil is very poor even longer
than that. Then carefully exa nine the
young trees and leave the strongest looking.
AS soon as the young tree is we'll started,
say three feet high, pillow out q land on each
side to the width of five feet at least,
broadcasting eight to ten pounds of ground
bone all about the tree. six to eight feet in
every direction. Keep down all spontaue-
Gus growth just about the tres with the
hoe.
or course, the ground between the
young trees can be cultivated in several
crops for a number Of years after planting
the pecan-pease will be the BEST but any
annual leguminous crop that Is amellorating
in its tendency can he used. If preferred or
deemed desirable peaches can be grown in
the middles to be cut out in the course of
seven or eight or ten years.
Great care should be used not to injure
the young pecans with the pillow. The
trees should be protected with stake or
two. 1t will be much better to grow some
crop on the land, aud a crop as will in
crease the supply of humus in tie soil-ex-
hsusting crops being rejected.
The nuts to be had in grocery stores is not
the kind to use.
The paper shell' is the kind to be pro-
cured, which can be procured from var Gus
persons In Texas and other points. Some of
these nuts are so large that it requires only
about forty to weigh pound.
These should be procured fresh in the fall
and planted out as soon as possible there
after. After the trees have begun to grow
rapidly a mulch can be used to great ad-
vantage in keeping a steady supply OF
moisture and keeping weeds in check.
10 conclude. Do not waste time and
money by planting pecans on worn out
cays
GOOD land must be used, and on such
and you will begin to get some returns Ia
Me course OF eight or nine years.
IN previous numbers we have given the
address Of several persons from whom fresh
SEED OF the true paper shell" may be pro-