852 



able prices, it will bz found la the end to be the most econom- 

 ical and profitable. 



METHODS OF PROPAGATION. 



All of the older pecan groves are seedlings. Before the 

 war, and for some time afterwards, ihe nuts were planted 

 where the tree was to stand, and the resulting- tree was re- 

 tained whether it produced lar^e desirable nuts or not. 



The nuts used for these planting's were always the lar- 

 gest, finest specimens, and as they were, no doubt, better 

 than the nuts from which they were produced, often trees 

 were obtained that bore large and desirable nuts. 



The nuts from the majority of these trees, however, were 

 not as good as those that were planted. 



This is simply the history of all of our desirable fruit 

 trees icpeated, and should be expected. So, men who desire 

 to grow the best pecans today, do not follow this custom, but 

 instead grow seedlings, in order to bud or graft upon them 

 the best varieties available, for there is no other sure way of 

 obtaining nuts which are known to be the most desirable, or 

 of perpetuating a variety. 



A person should not put any confidence in the statement 

 of any nurseryman or tree agent who otters seedling trees of 

 desirable pecans, for he cannot guarantee them to produce 

 iine varieties, or even as good as the seed planted to produce 

 them. 



BUDDING. 



There are two common methods of working pecan nursery 

 .stock in Louisiana budding and grafting. 



Of the former there are also two common methods : ring 

 or annular, and flute or veneer budding. 



The common shield bud is used sometimes on young, 

 smooth skinned trees, but is rarely mentioned by our pecan 

 workers. The nuts are planted in the fall or very early 

 spring, and the seedlings budded when they are two or three 

 years old from the seeds, from three to four feet high, and 

 about three-quarters of an inch in diameter. The operation 

 may take place very early in spring, before the buds start, or 

 later, in July and August, when buds have developed and 

 matured, and thus become available for use. 



