HOETICULTURE. 751 



"Witli Stirling Castle, the normal trees of which have borne much more fully 

 than those of the other variety, the excess was much larger, amounting to 30 to 40 

 per cent. These trees were allowed to fruit in 1899, and immediately the excess in 

 the size of the leaf disappeared. The crop of these trees in this one year, although 

 it was an unfavorable year for fruit, was greater than those of the other trees 

 throughout the 4 seasons during which the latter had been bearing." 



Pecan culture, H. H. Hume {Florida Sta. Bui. oJ^., ^yp. 185-211^ 

 j)ls. 3^ jigs. 0). — The botany, methods of propagation and culture, varie- 

 ties, and the adaptation of pecans to Florida conditions are considered. 



A large portion of northern Florida is believed by the author to be 

 especially adapted to the profitable growth of pecans. The nut does 

 not appear to be exacting in soil requirements. Trees in Florida are 

 found growing on soils ranging from a black hummock to the less fer- 

 tile high pine lands. The opinions of writers vary as to the best soil. 



Directions for growing trees from seed planted in the nursery are 

 given. The seed bed should be prepared as for vegetables and the 

 nuts planted on their sides 3 in. apart, in rows 2i ft. apart, and cov- 

 ered 3 in. deep. They should be planted soon after they are ripe and 

 cultivation and fertilization given the same as with other young trees. 



Varieties do not come true from seed. Grafting and budding are 

 therefore resorted to in propagating desirable sorts. Annular and 

 veneer shield budding or cleft and whip grafting are most couMnon. 

 Various other species of Hicoria have been used for stocks, but the 

 pecan is considered most satisfactory^ 



A successful method of propagation recommended by a pecan grower 

 is to plant common pecans and a big paper-shell variet}' close beside 

 each other, and when 2 years old to use the paper-shell as scion and 

 the common pecan as stock. The scion should contain 3 buds. It is 

 taken before growth starts in the spring and kept in moist sand. Later, 

 when the stock has plent}^ of sap and is putting out leaves, the ground 

 is cleared away from the crown and an oblique cut i to 1 in. in length, 

 made from the crown upward. A similar cut is made on the scion. 

 The graft is held in place by a mixture of clay and gra}^ moss, well 

 mixed and kneaded, and earth heaped over the stock. The pecan is 

 considered difficult to work, which fact largely accounts for the high 

 price of pecan nursery stock. 



The orchard where the trees are to be set should have Ijeen in some 

 cultivated farm or garden crop. Forty feet is believed to l;)e sufficient 

 distance apart for trees in Florida. If the triangular method of plant- 

 ing is adopted, 40 trees can be grown on an acre. Planting between 

 the latter part of November and lirst of ]March is recommended. The 

 trees ma}' be set in the permanent orchard when 2 j^ears old. If 

 budded or grafted they will be 3 j^ears old. A small amount of ferti- 

 lizer, thoroughly incorporated with the soil about the newl}' set tree, 

 is desirable. Clean cultivation may be given from March to July, 



