Peek's pecan circular

Historic, Archive Document

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SPRING OF 5908,

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PEEK’S PECAN CIRCULAR.

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| FALL OF 1907.

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Figure No. J, | Figure No. 2.

_ HARTWELL PECAN NURSERIES,

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S. W. PEEK, Proprietor. — HARTWELL, GA.

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Established in 1882.

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THE PECAN ANDITSCULTURE. a

In 1&82, twenty-five years ago, I first became interested in
the pecan,—interested to such an extent that I planted 1,000
pounds of select nuts in my nursery. Itis not likely that this
quantity of pecan nuts had ever been planted in a nursery, in on#
season, previous to that time. |

Then very little was known of the pecan, except that it grew
wild in portions of Texas and a few other States. It was very
natural at this period that a great many questions should be asked
about pecan culture by persons who became interested in the in-
dustry. Since that time, however, somuch has heen said and
written on the subject, most »ersons who give attention to mat-
ters horticultural are familiar with the details of pecan growing.
There is really no mystery about it. The nut was growing here
when Columbus paid us his first visit and we have had 400 years
in which to study its habits. But until recently very little atten-
tion has been given to the culture of the pecan. We have just
now awakened to a realization of its merits, and have just begun
to give it the attention that it deserves.

The pecan succeeds over a wide area of our country, taking
in the cotton belt and several! other States farther north and west.
The trees will probably thrive wherever the hickory grows, but
how far north the nuts wil! mature is a matter that must be de-
termined by experiment.

The trees will grow more rapidly and attain to greater size
when planted on land where fertility and moisture abound, but
they will do well on almost any soil, if well fertilized and care-
fully cultivated.

It is important in pecan culture, as in every other enterprise,
to begin right and continue right. First get good trees of the
best kinds from a reliable nurseryman, then plant them carefully
in well prepared ground; after this, fertilize and cultivate. Any-
thing in the way of fertilizers that will be good for an apple or-
chard will be good for a pecan grove.

The best results are obtained by planting trees of small or
medium size. In planting the trees it is important to dig large
holes‘and refill them with surface soil. {[f manure is used, spread
it around the tree and dig it in lightly. A pound or two of some
good fertilizer may be used in the hole with the tree. in dry
weather during the first summer after the trees have been planted
in the grove, they should be watered freely.

As pecan culture is yet a young industry, only a few kinds
have been sufficiently tested to prove their merits. A much
larger number has been introduced with great claims to merit,
but the only safe plan is toinvest sparingly in the newer kinds
till they are known to be worthy of cultivaticn.

Pecan growing is no longer in the experimental stage, but is
now recognized as one of the most profitable industries in the
line of horticulture, and the enterprising persons who plant
groves of the best varieties now and give them proper attention,
will surely reap their reward.

“There are many risks in fruit culture which the pecan
grower avoids. His crop is not perishable, and can be marketed
at leisure. A cold wave does not ruin his prospects, His market

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is never overstocked. He has but few ‘off years,’ besides his
profits keep on increasing without the need of additional labor or
further investment.’’

The following is a paragraph taken from the ‘‘ Modern Guide
for Fruit and Truck Shippers,’’ a book recently published at
Houston, Texas, by the editor of the “‘Southern Shipper’s Guide.’’

“The pecan is a hickory with thin shell and of finer quality than the hickory. It
naturally belongs to the Southern States, and is better adapted to the lower Southern
States. For thelast few years itis commanding attention from planters of profitable
fruit, and no fruit is growing in interest faster than the pecan. The pecan is the only
fruit planted that will la3sta century. {tis nota perishable fruit,and does not have to
be gathered in a rush and shipped, or kept in expensive cold: storage. like other fruit.
Not restricted in its sale, it takes toe world forits markets. Itis the best eating of all
nuts; most used ofall nuts; most profitabie ofall nuts.

The whole tree is profitable. The wood is in demand atany age. The nuts are used
for desert, for oil, for confectioneries, and are lately being used extensively for nut foods
Which will furnish an unlimited demand for the nuts.”

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The following article on ‘‘Pecan Trees’’ is taken from the
Texas Farmer, publised at Dallas, Texas.

“Grafted or budded pecan trees, in the opinion of up-to-date nut growers, would be
cheaper at $5 each than seedlings as a gift. But young trees budded from bearing trees
ofj ‘ne besi thin-shelled varieties, can be had from reliable nurserymen at from $l to
$2 each, with a reduction from these figures when bought in lots of a dozen or more.

s3udded or grafted trees come into bearing about aS soon aS apple and pear trees, and
after ten to fifteen years the annual product of the pecan tree is worth several times
more than that of the apple and pear ait the same age. Improved pecans also bear more
regular crops than wild trees. A great many progressive citizens in Texas, both in town
and country, are making plantings of these trees, and those who do so are making no
mistake. Time goes on whether one piants trees or not, but, once planted, time and the
tree pull together, and in the course of the years work wonders. Happy are they who
can labor and wait, as did our fathers, who planted seedling apple trees in the long ago
aai patiently abided full bearing twenty-five years in the fatare.”

Large pecan trees sometimes bear from 500 to 600 pounds of nuts in une year.

Remember this and plant your grove, but do not expect every tree to produce 600
pounds of nuts in a single season. A very conservative estimate of the yield to be ex
pected from an established pecan grove is from 1,500 to 2,000 pounds peracre. This quan-
lity of nuis at prices that can be obtained for the best varieties wouid produce an annual
income of which almost any one night well be proud,

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i\Copy. |

STATE OF GEORGIA.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
ATLANTA, GA.

March ist, 19:4
My. S.-W. Peek,

Hartwell,
Dear Sir:——
I take the pleasure of enclosing you herewith a list of awards procured

by the exhibitors with the State of Georgia at the St. Louis Exposition.

The Secretary of Awards informs me that in a short time the medals and diplomas
will be forwarded to me, and I will take pleasurein seeing that they reach you.

Thanking you for the co-operation you have given in this movement and trusting
that you will be benefited thereby, Lam

Very truly yours,

GB | W. GLASCOCK BARRETT,
Enclosure Executive Commissio

My specialty is STUART, the most
popular peean nut iv. cultivation. |
é The owner of the largest pecan grove
gin the United States says:

‘Taking all things into considera-
tion, Stuart is the finest pecan in the
world. }
aT The nut is very large, thin shelled,
well filled an of excellent quality, while the tree is a vigorous grower
and an early bearer. Noone can make a mistake in planting STUART.
f sell more of this variety than all others combined.

In addition to Stuart I grow—

Money-Maker, Georgia Giant, James’ Papershell, ahs Saba, Cen-
tennial, Capital, Frotscher, Texas Prolific, Van Deman, Schley, Russell,
Pabst, Pride of the Coast.

te PRICES |
One-year buds on four-year roots.
| Hach 10 100
L to 2 feet ‘ ° Je BE OO § 9.00 $ 85 00
2to 3 feet 9d Me - aes 10 00 90.00
o to 4 feet - - : 1.50 12°50 100.00
4 to 6 feet - : - 2 00 15.00 125.00

' PECAN TREES ARE NOT ALL ALIKE,

When the intelligent orchardist buys trees, he wants roots, not tops; but when he buys PECAN z
trees he does not want all TAP roots and no LATERALS.

Figure No. 1 represents a bunch of grafted pecans, 3 to 4 feet, 2 years old. The tops are good
enough, but what about the roots? Hunt fer the laterals. They are fair specimens of thousands
that are sold as first-class stock. They did not come from the Hartwell Pecan Nurseries. lea little
exposure kills trees of this kind.

Figure No. 2 represents a bunch of budded pecans, 1 to 2 feet, grown at the Hartwell Pecan ©
Nurseries Look at the roots Seethe laterals Trees like these are hard to kill

In buying trees, especially pecan trees, look after the roots If the ROOT isall. right a TOP wii
come.

The following is an extract frou a letter received from one’ =~

of my Georgia customers:

“The 10 budded pecan trees I bought of you last December are all living and doing well One
tree bloomed and set a bunch of six nuts this spring I planted these ten trees in a square <with ten
trees from each of 10 other nurseries, and I noticed that yours had the best root system, and are now
growing faster than any of the others Every oneis living sofar [I like your trees very much and
will want more next December.”’ } :

GUARANTY.

All trees shipped from the Hartwell Pecan Nurseries are
guaranteed true to name, but if any should by accident be sent
out under wrong label, they will be replaced free of charge or
money r epaid. No further responsibility is assumed.