310 HORTICULTURE, FORESTRY, FLORICULTURE 



inary and dessert purposes. The better grade of nuts are taken 

 entirely by a private trade, and the demand cannot be supplied, and 

 there appears to be no immediate prospect of its being met, because 

 the increasing demand is more than keeping pace with increased 

 production. The pecan is destined to take the lead among tree 

 nuts used in this country, and in fact among all fruits classed as 

 nuts, the peanut excepted. 



The pecan tree is indigenous in the United States in the rich, 

 alluvial bottoms of the Mississippi. Its northern limit is about 

 Davenport, Iowa, In the Mississippi Valley proper it extends to 

 within about seventy-five miles of the Gulf of Mexico. This was its 

 southern limit in that region, though farther west it extends into 

 Mexico. The statement is generally made that the pecan will succeed 

 wherever the larger species of hickory are found, and this is doubt- 

 less true, as the pecan belongs to the same family of trees (Juglan- 

 dacece) and to the same genus (Gary a) as the hickory. 



The peculiar conditions of soil and moisture surrounding the 

 pecan in its native home might be regarded as an indication that 

 it could not be grown except on deep, rich soil, in proximity to rivers, 

 ponds or streams. Such, however, would be a wrong inference, for 

 it succeeds admirably and bears good crops on a wide range of soils. 

 Hence, it is found today in localities far removed from the regions 

 to which it is indigenous, and thriving under conditions differing 

 greatly from those obtaining in its native home. 



Moisture in sufficient quantity must be present, but it will not 

 do to plant the pecan on land that is continually wet and soggy. 

 The presence of a hard, impenetrable subsoil doubtless has a great 

 influence upon the welfare of the tree, and it would be better to select 

 other ground, or when this is impossible, to blast out the hardpan. 

 A quicksand subsoil is equally objectionable. If close to the sur- 

 face, it should not be used. The roots cannot penetrate it. All 

 things considered the best soil is probably one which has previously 

 supported a growth of holly, willow-leaved oak, dog-wood, hickory 

 and those other trees usually found associated with them. A sandy 

 loam with a clay or sandy clay subsoil is difficult to surpass. 



The land intended for young trees should be well prepared. 

 This preparation will depend largely upon the care and treatment 

 which the soil has received previously. Land on which the forest 

 still stands should preferably be thoroughly cleared and put in culti- 

 vation for a year or two before planting. Leguminous crops are ex- 

 cellent to precede the setting of the trees. Plow the ground thor- 

 oughly, break deeply, harrow it level and it is ready for the trees. 



The best trees for general planting are well grown one-year-old 

 trees, from three to five feet hign. The color of the bark, the shape, 

 size and arrangement of the lenticels, the. size and shape of the buds 

 are always characteristic and by these marks varieties can be dis- 

 tinguished. Every planter should acquaint himself with the wood 

 characteristics of the varieties. By far the safest plan in buying trees 

 is to deal directly with honest nurserymen who give their business 

 careful thought and attention. 



