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

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sued the trees will be dwarfed and
stunted as a considerable part of
the moisture and the food which
would otherwise have gone to them
would be taken away from the land
by crops grown thereon. In most
eases. we believe it would be better
practice to grow crops between the
trees which may be turned under
with the idea of enriching the land
and developing the orchard in the
shortest period Of time by supplying
1t with an abundance of plant food.
If crops are grown between the trees
liberal fertilization must be practiced
Legumes would be the best crop to
use, and this will call for the liberal
lining of the land.
Nitrogen, of course, stimulates the
growth of the trees more than any
other fertilizing element. When the
trees are young rapid growth is de-
sirable. One can tell pretty we'll
from the observation of an orchard
during given year, whether it needs
nitrogen or not. OF course, phos-
phoric acid and potash are desirable.
There are various carriers of these
materials on the market, but of all
those experimental with as yet phos-
phoric acid appears to be the most
desirable for pecan trees. Any form
of potash may be used, but the con-
centrated material has generally
proved to be the cheapest. In pre-
pairing formula for pecan trees one
might appropriately mix together
1000 pounds of 16 per cent acid phos-
plate, 100 pounds of muriate of pot
ash, 200 pounds of nitrate of soda,
and 700 pounds Of cotton seed meal.
Any other carriers of these elements
which will furnish an equal amount
of available plant food may be, sub
other words, If one can buy nitrogen
in cheaper form than cottonseed
meal it will be all right to use it,
Five to twenty pounds of the forego-
ing mixture is advised for use dur
ing the second and third year after
the orchard has been planted de-
pending on the condition and rate of
growth Of the tree and the character
or soil in which it is planted.
Where one Is fertilzing older trees
that are in bearing, five to twenty
pounds of a formula which will
analyze say 3 per cent nitrogen, 10
per cent phosphoric acid and 4 to 6
per cent of potash will be found very
deSirab BILE
In applying commercial fertilizer
1t Is important to remember that the
root system of a tree develops out
ward from the trunk, therefore the
fertilizer should be spread in a cir
Gle around the tree corresponding to
the spread of the branches. Do not
bring it in contact with the trunk of
the tree. 1t is, of course, better also
10 cover 1T into the soil, except say
Where nitrate of soda is used as a
top dres In that event it will
quickly find its way into the soil.
IN growing pecans it will be found
that humus is an important and es-
Sentlal element. 1t may, of course
be added to the orchard through the
medium OF yard manures. In many
cases, however, the orchardists will
not be able to secure enough of this
material to be of appreciate advan-
tage and it will also prove very cost
ly. On that account the growth in
the orchard of such crops as cow
peas and velvet beans is highly rec
commended. These may be turned
under in the fall. If the trees are
planted on land inclined to wash or
erode, rye or some other vigorous
growing winter crop may be planted
1t is desirable as a rule to plant
out relatively small trees. The larg-
er tree will probably come into fruit
ing earlier. but the chances are that
one will lose a good many more of
them through the process of trans
planting them. 1t is most impor-
tant in transplanting the trees to
see that the roots are not exposed to
will dry up very quickly and the
chances of establishing the tree ma
terially lessened. The distance in
planting varies, but fifty to sixty
feet is regarded as the most desir-
able spacing to follow.
Pecans should not be harvested
until they are fully mature, but it
them directly from the tree rather
than allow them to fall to the
ground. A light pole Of bamboo may
be used for knocking the nuts out
of the tree onto a canvass. When
first gathered they are entirely too
this is done they will deteriorate in
quality and flavor. 1t is best to
place them in a Well-ventilated
building on wooden trays say seven
feet long, thirty inches wide and
four inches deep.
In selling nuts it is important to
base ones claims on quality as we'll
as size Most people are Influenced
in buying by size alone, though me-
dunn or small nuts may be better
filed and have a sweeter and richer
flavor.
The pecan tree is not subject to
a great many fungus, bacteria or
physiological diseases. The rosette
is probably the most serious disease
of the pecan. No very satisfactory
treatment for this disease has yet
been devised. Be careful not to plant
affected trees, though it is not deem
ed necessary to remove trees deVel-
oping this disease, as 1T does not
seem to be communicable, and the
trees may recover. Apparently there
is much less rosette in orchards
which have been given proner cut-
tivatfon and fertilization than in
those which have been neglected.
Over-stimulation of the trees with
heterogeneous fertilizers is. not consid-
cred advisable.
Pecan scab attacks the leaves,
twigs and nuts and may render the
latter worthless. Spraying with Bor-
deaux mixture will tend to control
this disease. 1t is more prevalent
in wet seasons and along rivers
where the drainage is poor,
The fall web worm attacks the
pecan occasionally and on young
trees the webs should be pulled off.
The webs on large trees may be
burned by the use of torch on the
end of a pole.
troIled by spraying with arsenate of
lead between the first of August and
the first of October
The twig girdler does considerable
damage by cutting off the ends OF
twigs during the fall. AS the eggs
of this insect are laid In the part OF
the twig which is cut off, it is best
to gather them up and burn them.
Borers can be removed with
sharp knife or wire, as they at
tack pecan trees in much the same
way they do other fruit trees.
Yields vary materially. From nine
to fifteen pounds or more may be
gathered per tree, depending on the
age, size and condition of the orch
q I'd NJ tho n9Upn0Pnt which has
been accorded it. No definite sug-
gestions along this line can be made
as yet. Among the best varieties to
plant in Georgia are the following.
For the mountain section. Stuart,
Rome Moneymaker. Carman, Curtis,
Van Deman, Teche and Frotscher.
For middle Georgia, Stuart. Money
maker, Carman. Pabst and Van De-
man. In southern Georgia, Stuart,