New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1916-12-09


old age and bear for generations
Plant trees Of proven merits: O
good, well-known budded am
grated prolific varieties. To the
small as well as the large lant
owner, | suggest the adHisabillts
OF setting out pecan trees. There
is no safer Investment. no invest
ment that is surer Of large re
turns: better than al INSURANCE,
policy. because it insures returns
for years to come. Pecan of til,
paper-shell varieties are sold al
fancy prices. and there is truth
in saving that the future is very
promising.
You will not be successful in de
veloping pecan orchards unless
you comply with their require
ments. Select well-broken land
easily drained and in good state
of cultivation. If possible, blast
the holes, but be sure to make the
holes for planting at least two
feet across each way and three
feet or more deep, and it is pre-
ferable to do so five or six weeks
previous to planting. Fill the
hole again with good rich top
soil, and let is so remain until YOU
are ready to plant, when this
dirt or soil is easily shoveled out.
This prepares the soil to adjust
itself so that the roots will get a
good start. The soil being loos-
ened and porous. makes it posi-
BILE for a better distribution Of the
root system and consequently
quicker growth. Before plant
ing, examine each root closely
and prure all broken parts and
cut back the tree proper one third
Do not allow the roots to be ex-
posed to the sun ond wind. In
doing this, all the roots are able
to perform their proper functions
and the danger Of retardation in
growth is prevented. Plant as
soon as trees have arrived. Place
the tree in cent T Of hole, fill with
mellow top or surface soil, or leaf
mould dirt gathered in the forest
under the trees. pack slowly and
firmly so that no part is left loose,
pour bucket of water and cover
with dry soil. Should it b. inn
possible to plant as soon as trees
are received. cut open the pack
age and water the roots thor
oughly. then hill trees in loose
dirt and provide an abundance Of
moisture. This being properly
done, the trees will keep few
DAYS with no danger Of loss.
Cultivate frequently the first
year and never allow weeds to
grow over the trees and close to
the roots, or mulch the trees. In
either case. whether you cult
vate or mulch, it is best to give
one good thorough cultivation in
early spring. and the soil kept
fertile for their best developments.
No pruning should be done the
first year and little the second
year, or until thew have grown
enough to train the trees into
shapely heads. The first import
ant stem in starting an orchard is
the preparation of the soil and
planting of the trees. Hundreds
of thousands of dollars are spent
annually for pecan trees, while
only about one-ffth Of the trees
painted are properly planted and
receive the attention they require.
By planting the trees the proper
way, you will experience very lit
tie loss, if any, their life is in
sured, and they will put our early
growth and develop rapidly. The
pecan tree can be safely trans
planted from November to March,
with the best season during De-
cember, January and February.
After the trees are planted and
growing, comes the care and at
tention they require. The pecan
is not so subject to disease and in
sects as are other fruit trees. and
does not require so much atten-
ton. but we must not abuse them
too much. It Will cost very little
to keep them clean and prevent
an infec ton, while it may cost a f,
great deal to clean them out and
bring under control an infection.
Do not wait until the trees are in
fected to give them some atten-
ton in the way of spraying, but |