Nut Trees 
autumn. December and January are good months, though the planting season may be continued 
through February or even March if there is good moisture in the soil. In planting, it will always be 
found best to set trees of good size, provided they are vigorous and thrifty. Preference should be 
given to trees of 4 to 5 and 5 to 7 feet grades, as they will give better satisfaction than smaller sizes. 
I he ground should be carefully staked out, a stake being set for each tree. The holes should 
be dug wide and deep. In planting the trees, set them at the same depth as they stood in the nursery- 
rows. Pack the earth close and tight around the roots with the hands. The roots must be well covered 
with damp sacks or burlap to keep them from the sun and wind. Any' broken roots should be cut 
back or cut off before planting. The tops of young trees need not be cut back, but trees grading 
5 to 7 feet or 4 to 5 feet and up should have the tops cut. If the season is dry, it will be found a 
good plan to mound the earth up around the trunks, using clean soil, free from weeds and trash. 
Cultivation 
The best cultivation for a Pecan tree does not differ materially from that given other kinds of 
fruit trees. The orchard should be plowed during winter. Cultivation should begin early' in spring 
before growth starts and should continue at intervals of a week or ten days until about the first 
of July, when cultivation may be discontinued. If the land is planted in truck or farm crops there 
should be a strip of 5 or 6 feet on each side of the tree rows left implanted. The strip should be 
cultivated regularly, to conserve moisture and keep the trees in good growing condition. In six to 
eight years after planting, the trees will begin to bear light crops, and by ten years they should be 
yielding fairly well. After this, it is doubtful whether it is good practice to continue cropping the 
land, both because the trees need the land and because the shade cast by them will interfere with 
the crops. Indeed, cropping may have to cease earlier, particularly if the trees are closely planted. 
Crops of cowpeas, beggarweed or other suitable legumes should be grown from time to time and 
turned into the land. Fertilizers can be used to advantage. A good fertilizer for y'oung trees is one 
containing about 4 per cent nitrogen and 6 or 7 per cent each of phosphoric acid and potash. For 
bearing trees the potash should be increased to about 10 per cent. Stable-manure in moderate 
quantities can also be used to advantage and wood ashes are good. 
Marketing Pecans 
The Pecan crop should be harvested as soon as a majority of the burs are open, showing the 
nuts. The trees should be stripped of their crop at one picking. After gathering, remove the husks 
