1!: 



CROPS THAT PAY. 



If, therefore, the pecan crop of Texas, as compared w.th that 

 of Louisiana, were proportionate to her size, the product of ^exas 

 would be 10.448,065 pounds instead of 1,810,670 pounds, as reported, 

 and it is reasonably certain that if the larger quantity were pro- 

 duced of fine, large nuts it would find a ready market at remunerative 

 prices and the demand still be unsupplied. 



Such figures are interesting to one who thinks ot locating a 

 pecan grove and are quite likely to influence his decision. Ihe 

 alluvial soil of Louisiana undoubtedly presents ideal conditions tor 

 pecan growing. This land is the richest on the continent, unsur- 

 passed in natural yield, as productive as the far-famed Valley of the 

 Nile, and never requires fertilizing. Yet it can be truly asserted 

 that in either of the Gulf States, including Georgia, especially in 

 the southern part, wherever rich, deep, moist, alluvial soil is found, 

 the pecan will thrive well. And it is probable that the lighter 

 soil of northern and central Florida, with liberal use of the right kind 

 of fertilizers, will give results just as good. In both Georgia and 

 Florida, where more skill, energy and capital are devoted to fruit 

 growing, far more, indeed, than in other parts of the South, interest 

 in pecan culture amounts to genuine enthusiasm. Best of all, this 

 interest is based on evidence of success already achieved in the 

 business by those who have been engaged in it long enough to learn 

 its possibilities. Many commercial groves are being made and, 

 in Florida, not a few of the abandoned orange orchards which were 

 destroyed by the freeze in 1895, have been set with pecans in the 

 firm belief that within a few years they will become more profitable 

 to their owners than were ever oranges in the same State. 



But the intending planter of pecans for profit will have other 

 questions to decide besides that of location. What to plant and 

 how to plant it? How to cultivate? When will trees begin to 

 bear? What will be the yield? The profit per acre? How to 

 make best use of the land before trees begin to bear? These are a 

 few of the inquiries that are sure to arise. Much information on 

 these subects is given in replies received to 100 circular letters of 

 inquiry sent to 19 States during the preparation of this article. 

 More than half was distributed in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, 

 Louisiana and Texas, where pecan culture is further advanced than 

 elsewhere. 



These letters were addressed to leading horticulturists and 

 nursery men, seed houses, nut dealers and commission men interested 

 in the pecan trade; graders and polishers of pecans in northern 

 cities ; owners of pecan trees and pecan groves ; expert budders 

 and grafters of pecans who have spent years in actual field work; 

 and others whose study of the subject and whose personal experience 

 give weight to their statements. All replies, excepting such as are 

 on points strictly cultural, tabulated and condensed to show averages 

 and percentages are herewith given. They have been accepted by 

 the writer whose own interest in and investigation of the pecan date 

 back fifteen years, as a safe and reliable guide and as conservative 

 and perfectly fair bases for estimates of yield, income and profit : — 



I. Which would you select for planting, seeds or budded trees? 



Reply: 23 per cent, would plant seeds, "jj per cent, favored 



