Practical methods of developing a commercial pecan orchard : a paper read before the Annual Convention of the National Pecan Growers Association / by J.B. Wight.

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Practical Methods of Developing a
Commercial Pecan Orchard.

A paper read before the Annual Convention of the
National Pecan Growers’ Association.

{Reprint from The Progressive Farmer.)

By J. B. WIGHT, Cairo, Ga.

In practical foresightedness the pecan grower is superior
to the ordinary horticulturist in that he is willing to forgo near-
by profits for those which are more stable and more lasting,
though they may not come so soon. Grapes and peaches run
their course in from ten to fifteen years. Apples and oranges
become decrepit in from forty to sixty years; while pecans are
in the prime of life when they are one hundred to two hundred
years old.

Futhermore, the grower of most other horticultural pro-
ducts has to race with the weather, delayed train schedules and
vacilating markets. Not so with the pecan grower. If he is
not ready to gather his nuts in October, they are just as good
in November; and if the November market is not to his liking,
he can save them without deterioration for the usual bare market
of the next season. Nature has given this queen of nuts a
shell which protects it from air, dust and dirt, making it one of
the cleanest as well as one of the most quickly available foods
in all the realm of horticulture. By using cold storage, there is
the further advantage of being able to carry over any surplus
from a full crop year with a probable sagging market to the
following one when prices may be better.

A word here as to the returns which may be expected from
a pecan orchard when it becomes established, in other words,
when it is from fifteen years old and upward. Years of ex-
perience have convinced me that the net average yearly income

per acre for such an orchard may be reasonably placed at one
hundred dollars. This estimate is based on an average annual
yield of 600 pounds of nuts which should sell at an average price
of 25c per pound. This will allow $50.00 per year for culti-
vation, fertilizer, seed for cover crops, spraying, harvesting
nuts, etc., leaving $100.00 as the net profit. This estimate has
been often surpassed, tho in most cases it has not been equaled;
for the reason that we have not yet gotten away from the old
idea that there is nothing to do but set pecan trees, go to sleep
for eight or ten years, and then wake up and find a profitable
orchard. Let me emphasize the statement that such a proposi-
tion has never yet been discovered in horticulture, agriculture,
or in any business or professional line, and it never will be. Six
thousand years ago the law was laid down that “by the sweat
of thy face shalt thou earn thy bread”, and this law has not been
repealed. It is an inexcusable economic waste to set trees, and
then have them fail for lack of proper care.

What, then, are the points necessary to success with pecans?
Briefly they are as follows: —

SUITABLE LAND. Fifty per cent and more of the lands
in the cotton belt will grow pecans successfully. This land
should be such that it can be built up and maintained in a high
state of fertility. It should contain a good per cent of humus,
which should be kept up by regularly turning under leguminous
and other crops. A crop as valuable as pecans deserves the
best land obtainable. Where other necessary points are ob-
served, such land will insure paying crops of nuts ; whereas un-
suitable land foreshadows a greater or less degree of failure.
It is better to pay $100.00 per acre for the best land than to have
the poor as a gift. The following kinds of land should be avoid-
ed:—

(a) Deep, poor sandy land.

(b) Washed-off hillsides.

(c) Land underlaid with clay which is practically im-
pervious to moisture.

which

(d) Low wet lands do not dry off sufficiently to
grow cotton or corn successfully. Lands which occasionally over-
flow but which dry off sufficiently to become easily tillable, are well
suited to pecans. These fertile creek and river bottoms have
been nature’s favorite planting ground for pecan nut trees.

GOOD TREES. To set a dwarfish, runty tree practically
nullifies all hope of producing a profitable orchard. Only vigor-
ous healthy trees should be set. An inferior tree even as a gift
will prove a costly investment. Under best conditions and
measured by a reasonable return on the amount, each tree should
when fifteen years old and upward be worth from $50 to $500.00.
But don’t expect to realize even the lowest of these figures if
poor trees are set. We don’t buy shoddy when we want results
in other lines; why do so with pecans?

VARIETIES. A commercial orchard preferably contains
from two to four varieties. It is very important that these
should be wisely chosen. As the pecan ultimately reaches such
size as is difficult to spray completely, only those varieties should
be selected that are freest from insect and fungus troubles. Scab
is probably the worst of the fungus diseases. Some varieties
seem especially subject to scab, while others are practically
immune.

Pecans also have their adaptabilities to latitude, soil, climate,
etc., and for this reason those suited to one section may not be
best for another. The following are among the varieties that
are making good records, some in wider, others in more restricted
sections: Stuart, Schley, Moneymaker, Frotscher, Success, Pabst,
Moore.

CULTIVATION. It is best to grow some crop among trees
until they come to the profitable bearing age. Small grain
should be avoided, unless it is to be turned under before growth
starts in the trees in the early spring. With this exception
almost any other crop may be grown. Proper rotation of crops
including frequent use of legumes should be followed so as to
keep the soil well filled with vegetable matter. Whatever crops

are grown should be highly fertilized, and the trees will get their
share of the plant food. Keep the land constantly on the up-
grade so far as fertility is concerned.

After trees have come to the age where they are yielding
profitable returns, which usually is in from eight to ten years
after they are set, it is likely best to cultivate only for the good of
the trees. At this time, a winter cover crop followed by a sum-
mer cover crop, both to be turned under, is good. The former
may be small grain or a winter legume : the latter may be beggar
weed, peas, or velvet beans. Most experienced orchardists prefer
the last named. From 400 to 800 lbs. per acre of a high grade
fertilizer should be applied broad-cast to one or the other of these
crops, preferably the spring. Under this treatment good growth
of trees should be had, and profitable yields of nuts as well. The
pecan is not a regular annual bearer, a full crop being generally
followed by one which is more or less short. But where the
fertility of the soil is well maintained not only larger but more
regular crops will be harvested.

Trees do not thrive on lands which are used as permanent
pastures. Under this treatment not only does the ground be-
come compact and so loses some of its moisture-holding capacity,
but grazing removes food elements which are not fully restored
in the droppings from the animals. You must feed your trees if
you expect them to feed you.

If the above suggestions together with others which occur
to every sensible grower are followed then profitable orchards
will result. The pecan offers no royal road to wealth. But
when all the factors of production, marketing, supply, demand,
etc., are considered, I know of no more promising horticultural
field than that offered by this, the best of all the nut family.

One caution in conclusion : — Don’t set more trees than will be
cared for in the best manner, no matter whether this be a few
trees around the home, or a commercial orchard of hundreds of
acres. Do this and your trees will from year to year be an in-
creasing source of pleasure and profit, though you live to be a
hundred years old.