Arizona Agricultural Expi:rimi:.\t Station 471 



THE WALNUT AND PECAN 

 Nursery stock for propagating the walnut and pecan is being 

 produced with a view to top-grafting cultivated varieties of these 

 nuts on the Native Arizona walnut (Jiiglans major), which is found 

 in abundance in many parts of the State. The pecan is well 

 adapted to the warmer portions of the State, and, if practical to 

 top graft it onto the native walnut, will become a valuable com- 

 mercial fruit crop for this section. The walnut, Juglans regia, has 

 not proven well adapted to the warm, dry climate of the lower 

 altitudes of Arizona although it does particularly well at elevations 

 above three thousand feet. 



PRUNING STUDIES 

 A project involving eight distinct methods of pruning has re- 

 cently been started with a view toward determining the best pruning 

 practices under Arizona conditions. A three-acre orchard is being 

 used for this work at the Salt River Valley Experiment Farm. The 

 trees were set during March, and consist of representative varieties 

 of orange, grapefruit, peach, apricot, plum, and apple. They are 

 being carefully trained during the present summer so as to develop 

 a perfect formation of scafifold limbs. Definite pruning practices 

 will be started during the coming winter at the normal period for 

 dormant pruning. 



WATER REQUIREMENT STUDIES 

 In connection with investigations to determine the practica- 

 bility of fruit-growing in parts of the State having an average raiti- 

 fall of 16 to 20 inches, a four-acre fruit planting was set this spring 

 on the Prescott Dry-Farm. The orchard is composed of some of 

 the good commercial varieties of apple, peach, and cherry, with a 

 separate planting of both European and American varieties of 

 grapes. The trees have started into growth and, although severely 

 taxed by a prolonged drouth, it is believed that only a small per- 

 centage will fail to grow. Distinct cultural practices and methods 

 of pruning are being followed, tending toward moisture conser- 

 vation. 



In line with these investigations, an experiment to determine 

 the actual water requirements of fruits has been planned and will 

 be started during the next fiscal year. The effect of pruning on the 

 moisture requirement of the trees wmU be a special feature of this 

 project. 



In the same connection, studies are being made of the environ- 

 mental factors such as rainfall, humidity, elevation, topography. 



