Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-24
PECAN TREES PLANTED
BY THOMAS JEFFERSON
Gave Specimens TO His Friend
George Washington, to Plant
at Mount Vernon.
MOST THRIFTY on ESTATE
Increasing Interest in Virginia in
Growing Of Pccans Both for Their
Nuts and for Their Beauty on
Lawns and in Gardens.
tspecia, 10 The Times-pispatch. ]

tSpccial 10 The Times Dispatch.l
PETERSBURG. VA, February %
1t will be Of interest TO readers OF The
Times Dispatch to know that two OF
the earliest planters OF pccans in the
United States were George Washing
ton and Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson
vas one of Americas greatest natural
lists. II is said that when he came
10 Washington TO be inauEuratcd Pres
idcnt. that instead OF his inaugural
address lie found lie had brought with
him the manuscript Of an essay nc had
written on blackbird. In his notes
on Virginia he occasionally takes a
shot at European naturaliSts. Through
out his writings there arc many ref
crcnces TO the pecan. or Illinois NUT,
as he called il, and he was perhaps
the first TO give - fun ana correct
botanical classification OF tho pecan.
In Prince Georges County. Nd, on
the estate once tho homestead of Judge
Gabriel Duval. of the United states
Supreme Court. are three grand old pc
can trees. and from these scores OF
pecan trees have sprung UP over the
fields Judge Duval was JcfTcrson'c
close, personal friend. and the old rec
ords show that Jefferson made many
visits TO sec him. There seems lit
tic question that these trees were given
to judge Duval by jefferson, as he was
growing pecan trees about this time,
ano the trees in Prince George Coun-
" arc tho same species as those he
gave Washington and arc about the
same age.
AS carly as 1774 Washington planted
rccans at Mount Vernon. and few
lat ~ I
down to his farm. or as far As Alex
andria. by Thomas Jefferson who. in
all probability. brought them from his
home as a gift TO Washington.
THE PECAN TREES
or MOUNT VERNON
Last September. when visited
Mount Vernon in company with u
friend" writes T. l.. LittlcpaGc. an at
torncy of Washington. TO whom, with
Dr. Il. II. True, OF the Department. OF
Agriculture. Indebtedness. Is expressed
for this interesting Information. "w"
were both struck by tho tart that Of
the great selection of trees about Mount
Vernon tho most stately. beautiful and
thrifty were three large pecan trees
which, from tho best Information and
records I have been able 10 find. were
no doubt tho results of tho planting
referred TO above. Their dark green.
thrifty foliage was in striking contrast
to the man. other trees that arc he
ginning to show tho effect of time. VIC
sat in the cool and refreshing SHADE o:
one of these old ratriarchs and watch
cd It's evening Shadows lcnrthcn across
the lawn ard toward III" Potomac. Wa
talked OF old times and tho great num-
her of pecan trees VIC had visited
through the Middle West, whence un-
doubtcdly came these Mount Vernon
trees. and as tho beautiful. broad To-
t,o f-a1<i
in almost complete ha,mCny with tho
acres of Eolden-r"d stretching up and
down its banks, l thought that Icficr-
$or must have said To Washington
when he presented him with tho litt!r
pecan trees. General here are some
trees from the Middle Nest that Won
should plant at Your Mount Vernon
home. They will grow up TO he tn"
most beautiful hardy and vigorous
trees YOU nave ever planted. They Will
produce delicious nuts, and for nIany
generations after you and I have pass
cd off tho scene of action. they will
stand here as evidence OF Your Erca.
love OF :Iaturc
In the years TO come there will H..
all over Virginia thousands. hundreds
OF thousands, Of pecan trees as hard.,
as vigorous and as beautiful as these.
producing abundant crops Of the
choicest ?f all the nuts if lovers Of
trees caGh year will plan; = few OF
thece on their lawns in their gardens
and along the avenues.
The growing interest liz this double
purpose tree, combining beauty and
utility. is indicated by INQUIRIES from
many parts of the State. Those de-
string specific information may write
either 10 The Times Dispatch or to
William y. Roper, Petersburg, Va. and
their questions Will receive prompt
response.