Frotscher Pecans Block of Pecan Nursery Stock An old Pecan Tree 
PECANS 
In recent >’ears 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 wliich fits so well into the general farming 
of this region as the Pecan. Cotton, corn, cowpeas and other farm crops can be grown to a<lvantage 
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 X'irginia to b'lorida, 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 api>le 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 
W'hile 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. 1 'his soil should not i)e 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 large amounts for best results. Before planting, the land should be thoroughly cleared of stumps 
and roots; if it is 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 well broken, 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 jdowed back into the land, and the soil well harrowed, to put it in best 
condition. This will add the needed humus to the soil. 
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 in autumn, ('ultivation should iK'gin 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 plante<l in truck or farm-crops, there should 
be a strip of 5 or 6 feet on each side of the tree rows left implanted. This strip should lie 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, croj)- 
ping may have to cease earlier, particularly if the trees are closely jilanted. Crops of cowpeas, beggar- 
weed or other legumes should be grown from time to time and turned into the land. A good fertilizer 
for young trees is one containing about 4 per cent ammonia, 7 i)er cent phosphoric acid and 3 per 
cent potash. For bearing trees increase the potash to about 5 per cent. Stable manure and wood- 
ashes can be used to advantage. 
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