Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-03-12
PECAN oRcHARpING

A great deal Of interest is now be-
ing evidenced in pecan orchardlng.
Some suggestions, therefore, relative
to locations, soils, varieties, fertlli-
zation and cultivation will no doubt
be helful at this time, and to that
end brief summary Of some of the
more important facts relating to this
industry has been prepared.
In the first place, the pecan tree is
a native of Mexico, Texas, and what is
technically known as the MISSISSIPPI
Basin. Through the agency of man
kind it has been spread along the
gulf coast and the Atlantic seaboard
where under favorable soil condi-
tions it does as we'll as in its native
home.
hardy and long-lived. 1t requires
long season in which to develop:
Naturally there is a good deal of
difference in varieties as to the
blooming period and the time at
which the wood hardens in the fall.
This variation, of course, in the re-
spects indicated has adapted the
pecan to a much wider sphere of Gull
tivation than would otherwise have
been possible. In its native home
the pecan inhabits bottoms where
the soil is very fertile. Even there,
however, it must be situated on land
which is deep and fairly well drain
ed ONLY varieties which are resist
ant to scab can be grown on such
locations. For long time it was
supposed that this tree would not
grow satisfactorily except on al
iuyial soils 1t is known now, how
ever. that many varieties do better
on soils of higher elevation and
which are we'll drained, both from
the standpoint of the remoVa! OF
water and air drainage as Well. Inc
pecan now grows well on great
variety of upland soils. OF course,
the tree does best where the fertility
If the land is of high character but
it may be grown to good adVantase
on a great variety of soils proVloe9
the land is properly manageu ~ an
the trees properly fert1llzed. IL ooes
not do we'll in deep sands. rms IS
matter which should be borne IN
Wind asa great many orchards
have been planted on such locat i 1Sil
with unsatisfactory results me
trouhle appears to be due 10 the
fact that soils of this type become
very hot during the summer anu un
doubtedly this procedure Wean rs
the trees and makes thG ;a l. et+ack
ceptible to disease and insect a''a az
Verv heavy fertilization would also
~ ersantial on soils of this type.
knv soil of average or superior hat-
ural fertility, therefore,, WnlGn
we'll drained, may be Sel9Cleo
cite for a pecan VI -
SHOWS that it will be better for TINS
land to have been cultivated TOT sen-
n,.nI vars rather than just reclaIHl-
ca from the forest. 1t is true Ine
old soils may be in bad physical o obIa
dition and contain nttle a'ail'I he
plant food. Nevep pr tbSee years to
r,hara If will be relatively rlch, ueep57
ened materially by good ploWlng + an
I hrouoht into a more satisfactorily
naudi,ion as planting site 1or
nenan trees than land recently re-
claimed. .o,y which is
he nIanted on land where haroI ~
iS within several feet at least OF the
ION If the soil. There has peeh "
very bitter discussion as TO wn WA
ar the tap root should De rGtlosI1u
or not from the pecan tree: ENperlo
or nv hos nroyed that if this is done
the tree will not die, contrary 10 tnt
fluctuations of many. The tap rooI
is NOT the feeding root Of the Tree
II &c, however, the means by Whlch
the tree anchors itself in the SOIL
therefore, it performs M iioSC while
like other plants growing on the lano
the trees feed by means OF the mar
like roots which multiply and deVelop
more largely in the surface area %
the land. 1t is for this reason thaI
a deep and friable soil and subsoll
Is essential to the well being Of the
pecan, though even in such soil the
feeding roots will be found relatively
near to the surface.
In planting out pecans on average
land the question of fertlllzatlon
should be given careful consideration.
AS the trees are planted at relative
ly wide distances, say fifty to sixty
feet in both directions. there is an
parently an opportunity to raise very
considerable crops in the soil occu-
pied by a pecan orchard. Naturally
this lessons the cost of establishing
and maintaining it until it becomes