The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-06-19
Culture Of PeealIs.
By C. B. Smith.

cam belongs TO Cne ulchory idiulty.
The tree is one of the largest of the
forest, growing from Is to ITO feet
high, with wide spreading branches
and symmetrical domelike top. The
leaves are compound, They are COM
posed of from seven to fifteen oblong
ianceolate leaflets, green and bright
above with a rather rusty appearance
beneath. The flowers are Of two sorts
on the same tree, staminate and plstll-
late. The nuts are generally oblong,
and vary in weight from twenty-five to
over loo per pound. The shells are
relatively thin, and much more easily
cracked than those OF the common
hickory nut.
The pecan is found native in river
bottoms from Iowa and Kentucky
southwest into Mexico. and seems to
prefer a moist rich soil. It is success
fully grown, however, in many other
States and on a variety Of soils.
Generally pecans will not be COM
mercially successful north Of parallel
40. Pecan nuts are grown on a COM
mercial scale in California, and orch
ards have been planted in number OF
Southern States. Texas and Louisiana
at present furnish the main bulk OF
the annual crop, mostly from native
trees. A bulletin recently issued by
the Florida station discusses in some
detail the subject of pecan culture IN
that State,
Florida is believed to be we'll adapt
ed to the growth of pecans, especially
in the western and northern parts, and
there seems 20 be opportunity for
considerable extension Of the industry.
Trees grow in Florida on number of
soils. VARYING from the black hummock
to the less fertile high pine lands; On
the 1icher soil the trees seem inclined
to develop wood at the expense OF
fruit, while on the poor soils the trees
make less wood and bear more fruit
proportionately. One writer from
Georgia states that he found sandy
loan soils with a clay subsoil, the
hest for pecans. The black lands come
next, followed by pebbly lands.
Trees on clay soils bore we'll and early,
but the nuts were small. The trees
on the sand ridges we're OF slow
growth, and were longer in coming
into bearing, but prodnced good nuts;
Another writer. in Florida states that
sandy pine lands will produce them IN
perfection; still another that they
will thrive on dry lands which are
good for corn or cotton.
Pecans may be propagated from
seed. They are liable to considerable
variation, however, and buddlng ano
grating are therefore resorted 70 IN
propagating desirable sorts. Wnen
trees are grown from seed the seed bed
should be prepared as for vegetables
and the nuts planted OF their sides,
three inches apart in rows two ana
one-half feet apart, and covered three
inches deep. They should be planted
soon after they are ripe, and cultlva-
tion and fertilization given as with
other trees. Planting nuts in the orch
ard where the trees are 10 stand IS con,
sidered Objectionable, since the grouno
is usually not as well prepared ana
.many vacancies occur from. the nuts
being destroyed by rodents and ants
: The orchard where the trees are
to be set should have been IN some cul-
.tiyated field or garden crop. Forty feet
is believed to be sufficient distance
anart for trees in Florida. II the trl-
angular method Of planting IS adopted
forty trees can be grown on an acre:
Planting between the latter part OF
Noyernber and the first of March IS
recommended. The trees may be set,
in the permanent orchard when TWO
years old. II budded or grated they
should remain in the nursery one year
Longer. A small amount OF complete
commercial fertilizer thoroughly in
corporated with. the soil about the
1ewlv-set tree is desirable. Clean cul-
tivation may be given from March to
July. followed by a cover crop OF beg
oar weed. ,cowpeas or velvet beans, or
crops OF cotton, velvet beans, melons,
etc. NAV be grown between the rows,
the area devoted to these crops being
more and more restricted as the trees
develop. o+
When transplanted this should be
cut off fifteen or eighteen inches from
the crown, or back TO solid wood,
and all in jured roots removed. Root
nrnning trees in the nursery row IS
recommended. The practice, 1t IS
thought. would favor the Development
of more lateral roots, and thus con,
tribute to success in planting and
early bearing. Pruning the tops OF
one and two-year-old trees at the time
of setting is not considered advlsa.
ble. as it tends to the development OF
shoots. Older trees when transplanted
will REQUIRE some top pruning. IN
general the training necessary Tor the
necan tree is confined largely to form
inc the head. This should be started
three or four feet from the ground,
and the strong, upright center ilmos
cnt back to induce growth in the lat
eral branches and give the tree
rounded form.
Bv selection and cultivation a num-
Der of varieties OF pecans have been
originated which are great improve
n,ent over the native sorts. .The points
to be considered in estimating the
value of pecans are quality ana tavo1,
nIumpness of kernel, ease with winch
The kernel separates size and the
thickness of the shell. A thln-snel
variety, other factors being equal, IS