54 
GLEN SAINT MARY NURSERIES 
Cultural Department 
to cow-peas. The root-knot insect seems to be particularly fond of cow-pea roots, 
and where they are planted these insects are generally plentiful. The root-knot 
insects are also very fond of peach roots, and if a tree is set in land infested with 
them, its roots are liable to become unfavorably affected. 
In planting deciduous fruit trees, the same preparation of land as recom¬ 
mended above for citrus trees is advisable. It is not often necessary, however, 
to use lime to any extent on virgin soils for peach trees. 
Like citrus, deciduous fruit trees should be severely trimmed back when 
planted. Too often trees are planted with all their tops left on, as many people 
cannot bring themselves to cut back a tree as hard as it should be, or even at all. 
It looks as if that much of the top were being wasted, but, as a matter of fact, if 
trees are severely trimmed back when transplanted, they will almost invariably 
make larger tops by the end of the first year than if left with their tops 
imtrimmed. 
The suggestions for fertilizing at time of planting and afterwards, also for 
cultivation, recommended above for citrus trees, apply to most deciduous fruit 
trees. There are, however, some exceptions, as noted below. 
Figs should be planted, if possible, on soil tiiat is compact and rather moist. 
Fertilizers should be applied on the surface and raked in very lightly, or, better 
still, covered with mulching. If any cultivation is practiced, it should be extremely 
shallow, as the fig has a mass of fibrous roots that lie very near the surface. Deep 
cultivating or plowing is very injurious. 
As neitlier Japan plums nor Japan persimmons are subject to root-knot, these 
trees may be planted on old land. The Japan persimmons will stand more 
moisture in the soil than is good for either plums or peaches. 
NUT TREES 
Nut trees do well on a great variety of soils, and the pecan will stand a large 
amount of water. We would not, however, recommend planting trees in low wet 
ground wliere water stands for any length of time. 
It is not necessary to prune back nut trees in transplanting. They should be 
transplanted during the late fall or winter, when they are dormant. The cutting 
of the tap-root of a pecan does not hurt the tree, as used to be supposed by many 
people, nor does it affect its bearing qualities in the slightest. 
In planting pecan trees, it is not alwa3^s necessary to use commercial fer¬ 
tilizers. Well-rotted compost will answer the purpose admirably. One or two 
shovelfuls should be thoroughly mixed in the hole where the tree is to be set, but 
not placed in direct contact with the roots of the tree. Care should be used in 
this respect, as compost, if not well rotted, undergoes a heating process, and, if 
in direct contact with roots, damages them. 
Pecan trees should be set good distances apart, say 40 to 60 feet each way. 
This leaves a lot of vacant space when the trees are small, which can be utilized 
for other crops, which, hov/ever, should not be planted too near the small trees. 
If no other crops are to be planted on the land, only small spaces around the trees 
need be cultivated, but these should be kept worked and the trees fertilized liber¬ 
ally. Well-rotted manure and compost are desirable if available, although com¬ 
mercial fertilizers of the right kind are good. The idea that pecan trees require 
