CHAPTER IV 

 PROPAGATION OF THE PECAN 



The pecan is more difficult to propagate than most fruit- 

 trees. It is not feasible to root pecans from cuttings, and 

 seedlings fail to come true to the parent type. The propa- 

 gator has, therefore, to resort to budding or grafting to per- 

 petuate desirable varieties. 



The propagation of pecan trees is a highly specialized 

 industry, requiring a skilled operator to get a high percentage 

 of buds or grafts to live. The amateur is likely to meet with 

 discouraging results in attempting to propagate pecan trees, 

 and is advised to buy his stock ready budded or grafted 

 unless he desires to do the work largely for experience. 



GROWING SEEDLING STOCK FOR BUDDING AND GRAFTING 



The pecan can be budded or grafted on almost any species 

 of hickory, though its own roots are more compatible as stock. 

 No stock superior to the pecan seedling has yet been found 

 for propagating the pecan; and nurserymen employ them 

 almost exclusively. It is hoped, however, that a stock will 

 be discovered that will produce dwarfed, heavy fruiting, and 

 early bearing trees so as to shorten the time between planting 

 and the production of profitable crops. Furthermore with 

 trees of less height, spraying and pruning, as well as the 

 harvesting of the nuts, will be simplified greatly. 



There is considerable diversity of opinion among nursery- 



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