PECANS 
In recent years the Pecan has become a very important nut, particularly in the Southern States, 
and it may be said that there is no other fruit or nut tree which fits so well into the general farming 
of this region as the Pecan. Cotton, corn, cowpeas and other farm crops can be grown to advantage 
among the trees when they are young, and even until the trees have begun to bear well. In short, 
the land may be farmed almost as though the trees had not been planted on it, yet the trees, under 
this management will grow and do well. The region in which the Pecan may be grown, with a proper 
selection of varieties, extends from Virginia to Florida, thence west into Texas and Oklahoma. It 
is destined to become the most important horticultural tree in this whole region, and the pecan 
orchards of the South will rival the apple orchards of the North and Northwest. The Pecan, under 
proper conditions, will continue to bear fruit long after other fruit trees planted at the same time 
have ceased to grow; in fact, a Pecan orchard is equal to many peach orchards — for instance, in 
length of life and fruitfulness. As shade trees they make handsome specimens, and they are well 
adapted for street, road and yard planting. 
Pecan Soils 
While it is a fact that the Pecan tree will succeed on a wide range of soils, it is wise, since it is a 
valuable, long-lived tree, to choose good land for the Pecan planting. This soil should not be low 
and wet; it should be well drained, yet it should contain a goodly supply of moisture. Sandy loams 
underlaid with clay, light clay lands and alluvial lands are suitable. The land should contain humus 
in goodly amounts for best results. Before planting, the land should be thoroughly cleared of stumps 
and roots; if it is a good farm land, and in good farming condition, it will be ready for planting at 
once, but new lands or those deficient in humus or vegetable matter should be broken well, and 
planted in cowpeas or velvet 
beans for at least one season 
before planting. In autumn, 
after the vines are dead and 
dry, they should be plowed 
back into the land and 
the soil well harrowed, to 
put it in best condition. 
Planting 
Pecan trees should not be 
set closer than 40 feet apart 
each way, and from this dis¬ 
tance up to 50 feet will be 
found about right for most 
soils. The best season for 
setting the trees is immediate¬ 
ly after the leaves fall ip. 
A Barrel of Van Deman Pecans 
15 
