Tjik Bulletin. 9 



however, proved tlieinselvcs hardy, vio'oroiis growers, and seein to be 

 well suited for growing in this State. On account of their hardi- 

 ness, they are worthy of trial in the piedmont region and even in 

 the mountains. 



VARIETIES OF PECANS FOR PIEDMONT. 



Until recently it was considered that the pecan was especially a 

 lowland tree that could not be grown successfully above 500 feet 

 altitude. From our experiments at Statesville, N. C, at an altitude 

 of 1,000 feet, we find that a few varieties, notably Stuart, Mantura, 

 and Appomattox, grow very well. At High Point, N. C, at an 

 altitude of 950 feet, there is a seedling orchard many trees of which 

 have borne fine crops of nuts. 



THE PECAN AREA MOVING NORTHWARD. 



In regard to hardiness, the history of the pecan tree is very closely 

 paralleling that of the corn plant. In the early days of corn growing, 

 corn was considered a southern plant that could not be grown success- 

 fully in the North and West. Corn breeders set to work to produce 

 a quick-growing, early-maturing, and therefore hardy variety of corn. 

 This end was attained and a variety produced that could make its 

 entire growth and ripen its grain in ninety days from the planting of 

 the seed. This "Ninety-day Corn," as the variety was called, pro- 

 duced a revolution in the corn-growing world. Corn growing went 

 north by leaps and bounds. Earlier and quicker-maturing varieties 

 were produced, until corn is now grown successfully away north 

 in Canada. 



It now looks as if the history of pecan growing will be analogous 

 to that of corn production. Scarcely a decade ago it was believed 

 that pecans could not be grown commercially anywhere out of the 

 Gulf States; but through adapted varieties the march of successful 

 pecan production has been steadily northward. In South Carolina 

 many orchards have been planted and are now coming into bearing. 

 In that State have been set a few of the largest orchards anywhere 

 in the country. At Charleston there is an orchard of 16,000 pecan 

 trees from which the owner sells several car-loads of nuts annuallv. 



In North Carolina we have not been idle in this matter. All over 

 the eastern part of the State thousands of seedling trees have been 

 successfully fruited. Orchards of budded trees have naturally fol- 

 lowed. Ten commercial pecan orchards of named varieties have been 

 set in this State in the last four years. Several large orchards are 

 to be set this coming winter, and more will follow next season. 



By the use of hardy varieties Virginia has also been coming into 

 the field of pecan production. Many seedling trees have been planted 

 and a few orchards set of budded varieties. 



A great deal of interest is being taken in pecan planting in Mary- 



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