THE NATIONAL NURSERYMAN 
53 
trees there during the same season. Northern varieties 
budded on northern stocks grown at Petersburg the past 
summer made nearly as much growth during one season as 
root-grafted trees of the same varieties on southern stocks 
grown in Florida two seasons. The trees at Petersburg 
were from dormant buds set the previous fall. They were 
just starting into growth in May when the trees in Florida 
had made a growth of six to twelve inches. 
Natural Adaptation 
The northern seedlings in the North make better growth 
in a season than the northern seedlings in the South, as far 
as has been observed. When the growing period begins 
in the northern climate, the native trees respond at once to 
the quick growing season and out-grow the trees that have 
been accustomed to a slower growing climate. When their 
growing period is over, they begin promptly their prepara¬ 
tion for the winter. The long, slow growing climate of the 
South does not seem to give the quick growing tree of the 
North an opportunity for its greatest growth at the im¬ 
portant period. There appears to be too much difference 
between the growing habits of the Southern and the Northern 
pecans for either to be suitable stock upon which to grow the 
other. 
Two choice trees of Moneymaker and one of Stuart, all 
well grown and giving every promise of success, were selected 
out of a large number of these varieties budded on northern 
stocks, and were transplanted in orchard two years ago for 
experiment. The Moneymaker trees have made little 
growth and the Stuart tree practically none. All have an 
unhealthy appearance and are left standing only for further 
experiments. 
The section of Virginia in which these experiments have 
been made affords very severe climatic tests. The tempera¬ 
ture in winter sometimes goes below zero, the temperature 
in spring is variable, changing suddenly from warm to freez¬ 
ing. Pecan trees seem able to endure almost any degree of 
cold when they are in a thoroughly dormant condition. 
The winter-killing from which they often suffer in the South, 
as well as in the North, is due to the effect of sudden 
freezing temperatures following warm periods in winter or 
spring. 
Plant the Best Only 
Only well grown, vigorous pecan trees should be planted 
in the North. It is a waste of time and money to plant 
indifferent pecan trees in any locality, and especially in a 
locality where they have to contend with severe climatic 
conditions. The size of the tree is less important than its 
root system and vigor. The purchasers of trees grown on 
thin, sandy soil, with the root systems consisting almost 
entirely of straight tap roots, destitute of laterals, need not 
expect success. Most of these trees will die early, and many 
of those that live will linger on for several seasons without 
making much growth, tiring out the patience of the planter. 
The work of transplanting should be very carefully done 
and the trees given proper care and culture. 
It has been found that it costs more to grow pecan nursery 
trees in the North than in the South, but it is believed that 
planters in the North will find that these trees have a value 
which will far offset their additional cost. 
Some of the methods of propagation and care are slightly 
different in the North from those that usually obtain in the 
South. But it is not jiracticable to go into the details con¬ 
nected with this work. The facts that have been mentioned 
are those that are believed to be of most importance for 
consideration by persons planting pecan trees in the North. 
Those who have gone thus far with the work upon which the 
conclusions are based are continuing as earnestly as they 
began. 
The outlook for the success of the pecan industry in 
northern territory is exceedingly promising where hardy, 
early-maturing varieties are properly grown in nursery on 
hardy stocks under climatic conditions that will best fit 
them for the locality in which they are to be planted. 
Comment 
THE REPLACING NUISANCE 
Good work has been done in the way of arousing public 
sentiment against the practice of replacing by Mr. Robert 
May hew of Texas. At the recent meeting of the Western 
Nurserymen’s Association in Kansas City, he placed the 
matter very strongly before the convention and brought 
conviction to the minds of many. There is no doubt of the 
soundness of his reasoning and of the absurdity of the com¬ 
mon practice of replacing nursery stock. There are two 
parties to the responsibility of securing a good stand of nur¬ 
sery stock, and the planter carries much greater responsi¬ 
bility than the shipper. The principle ought to be to ship 
good stock, charge good prices, and place the planter on his 
own footing in regard to securing a stand from the trees set 
out. If he has a notion that they will be replaced free of 
cost, many careless men will take but slight pains in handling 
their stock. The whole principle is wrong, and the nursery¬ 
men should set their faces against it. 
TRADE IN ORNAMENTALS 
Only a few years ago the bulk of the trade in ornamentals 
was confined to the East. A very interesting evolution in 
this line of nursery work has been going on. As farmers 
in the Middle West and the newer portions of the inter¬ 
mountain and Pacific regions have become settled, have 
acquired comfortable homes and sufficient revenues, their 
thoughts have turned to the decoration and improvement 
of these homes. This has created a demand for ornamentals, 
but it is only fair in this connection to say that the nursery¬ 
man himself has been in many instances a prime factor in 
stimulating the demand. He has shown desirability from 
every standpoint of improving the home grounds, he has 
furnished the stock, and in many cases plans for the plant¬ 
ing. Most nurserymen of the West find the ornamental to 
be growing with increased rapidity, and this is as it should be. 
DEMONSTRATION ORCHARDS FOR ONTARIO 
A movement is on foot in the Province of Ontario for the 
establishment of demonstration orchards in the principal 
