CHAPTER VI 

 POLLINATION OF PECANS 



Pollination of the pecan is now recognized as one of 

 the most important factors in the production of a fnll 

 crop of nuts. Inadequate pollination or some form of sterility 

 in plants as the cause of much poor bearing has occupied the 

 attention of horticulturists for over half a century, and during 

 this time few horticultural plants of any consequence have 

 escaped notice. As pecan trees developed into commercial 

 importance, whether or not they were wholly or partially self- 

 sterile became an important question. Large areas were 

 planted, often to one variety alone, and as they came into 

 bearing there were frequent reports of very poor crops of 

 nuts. This was especially common with some of the popular 

 varieties, such as Frotscher and VanDeman. 



Investigation at the Georgia Experiment Station revealed 

 that there are two groups of varieties of Hicoria PecaUy which 

 bear a close relation to sterility. The first group, comprising 

 such popular varieties as Frotscher, Moneymaker, Stuart, 

 Eome, San Saba, Moore, Success, and Mobile, are able to polli- 

 nate themselves, with the exception that in certain seasons 

 some, especially the Alley, have a tendency to shed their 

 pollen almost entirely before a large percentage of the pistil- 

 late flowers become receptive. The second group, comprising 

 such popular varieties as Frotscher, Moneymaker, Stuart, 

 Schley, Teche, VanDeman, Delmas, and Curtis are wholly 



