752 EXPEEIMENT STATION RECORD. 



followed by a cover crop of beg"gar weed, cowpea.s. or velvet beans; or 

 crops of cotton, velvet beans, melons, etc., mav be grown between the 

 rows, the area devoted to these crops being more and more restricted 

 as the trees develop. 



Pecan trees have a large tap root. When transplanting, this should 

 be cut 15 or IS in. from the crown or back to solid wood and all injured 

 roots removed. Root pruning trees in the nurserv row is recommended. 

 Examples of successful orchards grown from tap-root pruned trees 

 are also noted. Pruning the tops of 1 and 2 year old trees at time of 

 setting is not considered advisable as it tends to the development of 

 shoots. Older trees when transplanted will require some top pruning. 

 In general, the pruning necessary for a pecan tree is confined largely 

 to forming the head. This should be started 3 or 4 ft. from the 

 ground, and the strong upright center limbs cut l)ack to induce groAvth 

 of the lateral branches and give the tree a rounded form. 



Some notes on the production of new varieties by crossing are given, 

 and 18 varieties grown either in Florida or Georgia are described. 

 The points considered desirable in estimating the value of the pecan 

 are quality and flavor, plumpness of kernel, ease with which the kernel 

 separates, size, and thickness of the shell. A thin-shell A'ariet}', other 

 factc^i's being equal, is most desirable; Stuart, Van Deman Centennial, 

 and Frotscher are considered standard varieties. A list of nurserymen 

 handling pecan stock is added. j 



Artificial pollination of carnations, Amelung {Crartenfiora., Jfd 

 (1900), JTo. 17, ])]). JiSS-Jf-GJi-, figs. 5). — An account is given of cross 

 pollinating Dlanthus chinensis with the pollen of D. caryopliylliis for 

 the purpose of combining the vigorous growing habit and strong stems 

 of the first with the rich color and odor of the latter. Incidentall}' 

 pollen from 1). harhatus and D. pliimarius was also used to fertilize 

 the Chinese carnation. The pollen of D. harhatus was effective, and 70 

 good seeds were obtained; ))ut that of I). 'plHinariun exerted no influ- 

 ence Avhatever. Some loO seeds were obtained when D. chinensis was 

 pollinated by D. caryojjhyllus. These were sown. None of the result- 

 ing carnations were alike in t3'pe, form, or leaf formation. Out of 60 

 blossoms oidy 8 were well filled. Ten of the more promising plants 

 were set in pots, poUinat'^d with D. caryop/tylhis, and the seed harvested 

 in the fall. This seed, when sown the following spring, produced 

 plants which ])lossomed at intervals between June 1 and Septeml>er 30. 

 Selected plants were again pollinated with J), caryophyllus and the 

 operation repeated 3 tini(\s. Tho result of the experiment at the end 

 of 6 years is a plant which blossoms earlier than JJ. caryophylJus and 

 has a stronger stem. It is believed that after a few years this strain 

 can be so fixed as to come true to seed. The experiment is further 

 believed to show that it requires at least 10 years before satisfactory 

 results can l^e oljtained in cross pollinating carnations. 



