Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-02-08
CAREFIIL SELECTION
N STARTING PECAN
) GROVE ESSENTIAL
BY MARTIN V. CALVIN
(Statistician of the Georgia Depart
ment of Agriculture)

| tHt1IlSIRfdH I'll tES WCNl III OGpdA y
ment of Agriculture)
Widespread interest in pecan cul
| ture has developed throughout Geor
gia. Thousands of budded trees Of
the best varieties are being set II
middle and in south Georgia. AS a
rule those who are DESTROYS of es
tablishing groves that will within a
few years begin to make gratifying
returns on the investment are eX'
ercising care in the purchase of bud
c l trees. That is the policy TO pur-
sue. A number of persons contem'
plate planting choice nuts with a
view to whips which may be buddeo
at the proper time. This may DO as
an experiment but true economy sug-
gests the purchase of budded trees
from the proprietors of pecan nurse
ries: Seek a nursery which has won
its way to success through the hlgn
quality of trees sold. No lack OF
such nurseries in this state.
In this connection a pertinent ana
a very assuring fact is stated, name
w, that IS per cent of pecans pro-
duced in Georgia are of the improV-
ed varieties. This compares with
40 per cent in sister states, and
with 80 per cent in the U-4ited States.
The purpose of this article is to
acquaint you with the pecan indus
try throughout the entire country.
1t is first in order to recite the facts
about Georgia-the leader.
Progress Rapid
Here are the facts as to the pro-
gress made by our state N tour
years:
191S-Number of pounds nuts pro
duced, 2,72S,OO0; farm value of the
crop. $685. 900.
1919-Number pounds nuts pro
duced, 4,630,O farm value OF the
crop, $1,S9S,000.
1920-Number pounds nuts produc-
ed, 2,544,6SS; farm value of the crop,
$1.145 900.
1921-Number pounds nuts produc-
ed, 1856, 900; farm value Of the crop,
$1,125 900.
OF the 155 older counties, every
county except nine produces a falr-
ly good crop of choice pecans. The
nine counties referred to are Ca
toosa. Dade, Fannin, Harris, Lump
kin, Rabun, Towns and Union. OF
those, counties, Aumpkin and Union
have made a modest beginning in the
good work. The former has Is trees
not of bearing age and 4 Of bearing
age; the latter has 2 trees not of
bearing age and one of bearing age.
There are twelve co -htios which
produced in 1920, $4,000 or more
pounds of paper-shells, as follows:
Mitchell-Number trees not OF
bearing age, 37,029; number trees
bearing, 40,S47; production in pounds,
254,3SS.
Grady-Number trees not of bear
ing age. 8,906; number trees bearing,
1851; production in pounds, 49,O28.
Thomas-Number trees not of
b 4ring age, 9,713; number trees
bearing, 1928; production in pounds,
114,949.
Decatur-Number trees not of
bearing age, 5,919: number trees
bear:4g, 1892; production in pounds,
S9,S74.
Pierce-Number trees not of bear
ing age, 1898; number trees bearing,
5,7S6: production in pounds, 1881.
Bullock-Number trees not of bear
ing age, 10,195; number trees bearing,
$3.50; production in pounds, $3.50.
Dough erty-Number trees not of
|. bearing age, -164,795; number trees
bearing, 90,017 production in POUNDS,
81,761.
Pike-Number trees not of bear
ing age, 10,767; number trees bear
ing; 1854; production in pounds, e.
4S5.
b. ing age, 28,37S; number trees
haa ;xo H.
i0,771.
.Lee-Number trees not OF bear
ing age, 44,735; numbe.' trees bear
ing, 27,624; production in pounds,
$3.50.
Ware-Number trees ut of bear
ing age, 1882; number trees bear
ing, 1896; production in pounds 3d.
2S3.
Brooks-Number trees not of bear.
ing age, 3,171; number trees bearing,
6,112; production in pounds, 1925.
These twelve counties produced
45.2 per cent of the states crop. The
table give you a clear idea as to
the location of the pecan belt in this
state. This itself is a fact of great
Importance; for, while the pecan de-
lights in alluvial soil, a sandy loan,
underlald With a permeable clay sub
soil, contributes, with proper care
production of the highest Quality
and treatment of the trees, to nut
of which, according to variety, the
trees are capable.
Northern progressive gentlemen
have interested themselves in the
pecan industry to the extent that
| they are industriously planning a
Nut Growers association with the
special purpose of encouraging anc
assisting in furthering organized at
tention to pecan culture wherever
throughout that region of country
success isSpOssible.
Often Grows Wild
The pecan grows wild in river an
creek bottoms from Iowa and In
diana southwark to Texas, Oklahom
and the strictly cotton states B
strictly cotton states" is mean
states, which. under normal condi
tons, annually produce at least 800
900 bales.
Up to recent years, there wer
more than 100 varieties of pecans
there are now fifty varieties fror
which one may make selection. GraC
ually, the number of choice varie
ties is being Systematically reduced
In the early days of pecan deve
, opment, few trees made each