Historic, Archive Document
Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices
EE'
p;jEOLOGY
"'' Ti ATHRY,
DEC 26 1916
Bu
B. W. STONE
Thomasville, Ga.
The Pecan
From Planting
The Nuts
To Gathering
The Nuts
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Pecans on Half Shell
'*In a Nutshell**
FTER over 20 years’ experience in the
Pecan business, we write this booklet
just as it has been developed in the field,
not detailing all of the plans and prac-
tices, but giving records of the latest and
best improved plans in developing a
pecan grove correctly and economically.
We find the execution of a grove is more important than
knowing how.
Twenty years ago we did not know we could develop
a pecan grove with trees 12 inches in diameter at the end
of eight years, but we know now it can be done, and know
how to do it, and have done it. That is one object of this
booklet. You will find herein statements of plain facts
in plain practical language for practical people. The facts
of the pecan business are good enough, there is no need
of the booster’s exaggerated statements.
TelPyour friends to send for a copy of '‘The Pecan
Business.” We will mail a copy of this booklet free to
anyone interested in pecans.
mmm\
2 The Pecan Business
^OLIAN FARM Budded Pecans a Specialty
B. W. STONE
Nurseryman
Thomasville, Ga.
Dear :
Your inquiry for “The Pecan Business” is highly
appreciated.
We have carefully written this booklet in a practicaj
manner from tested field operations, and feel sure that it
will be beneficial to you. After reading it, if any subject
is not sufficiently clear, kindly write us and we will give
you other information on that point.
We do not try to grow the cheapest trees, but trees
of the best quality. Pecan and other fruit trees vary in
quality just as there are mules of different quality, and
even men of different quality.
“He who makes two blades of grass grow where but
one grew before, is a benefactor.” He who buys two trees
of us at the cost of one from an agent is a benefactor to
his family and his purse. Could we do anything but a
square business and be in possession of these testimonials
from these banks and our customers everywhere?
Commence your pecan grove this season, if you only
plant one acre. Figure a little ! What can you plant that
will enhance the value of your place faster than pecans?
We wanted 100 acres of paper shell pecans for our own
grove. This is why we were so very particular in going
ourselves and cutting the wood off of bearing trees and
having something we could swear by. Any one can see
the varieties are true to name in our nursery rows. It is
worth twice as much to know that you are getting trees
true to name.
Correspondence is a pleasure, and we are willing to
aid you in establishing your grove whether you buy of
us or not.
The European war will make a pecan grove more val-
uable from the fact that fewer people can afford one.
It gives us pleasure to recognize every planter as his
own agent. After more than twenty years’ experience,
we are glad to announce that they are in the ranks of
pleased customers.
Awaiting an opportunity to serve you further, I remain
Yours truly, g ^ STONE.
B. W. Stone, Thomasville, Ga.
3
The grove which produced $90 per acre the ninth year.
4
The Pecan Business
Guarantee
We guarantee trees to be healthy and true to name to customers who buy
direct from us ; to be grown, dug, packed and delivered to common carriers
in first class order. Not liable for damages to exceed the original cost.
We make no charge for packing or drayage or boxes.
Articles of merit honestly handled and guaranteed don’t beg a market.
C O* IX — Parties who prefer to pay on
delivery of goods can avail themselves of
that privilege by sending 25 per cent when
trees are ordered shipped, the balance col-
lect on delivery, the charges for collecting
and returning money to be paid by the pur-
chaser.
Remittances — By P. O. Money Order, Ex-
press or Express Money Order, or New York
Exchange.
Shipping Season — From November 15th to
March 15fh.
Club Orders — Many responsible persons
get up club orders in their own community
and send in to secure club rates. Such trade
is especially solicited. Club rates will be
given on application.
Substitution — We make no substitutions.
We let other nurseries do that. We write.
as well as we know, a true and honest ac-
count of each variety of fruit, and each
planter is able to make his own selection.
We burn what is not called for.
Our Catalogue gives accounts of varieties
of fruit honestly, truly and without exag-
gerated statements and misrepresentations —
just facts in every day clothes. We believe
that a legitimate and good business can be
conducted by giving facts only. We know a
much larger business could be easily carried
on by giving all of the good points and none
of the bad. Reader, we give both sides that
you may be better able to judge.
Take labels off of trees and make record
of orchard. Then you will be able to order
exactly the varieties adapted to your place.
Labels often cut the tree in two and cause
it to die.
Send lOo for sample of nuts.
50,00 thrifty Budded Pecan Trees ready to dig ^
B. \\\ Stone, Thomasville, Ga.
3
The Pecan
The pecan is an American species of nut bearing trees, and is called Hicoria pecan.
It is found in certain parts of the United States and Mexico. Today it is the most
important of all the nut bearing trees grown in the United States. Until 1890 prac-
tically all the pecans that were offered in the markets were of the wild varieties. Indians
gathered nuts from large pecan trees before our Southern States were settled. The length
of time thought necessary to grow a pecan tree to bearing age was considered too long for
the hard pressed citizen to undertake, thinking that at least over one generation was neces-
sary to grow the tree. This feature of the industry, by improved methods, has been re-
duced tn practical men are now undertaking to develop pecan groves in the most favor-
able sections of the United States, and expect to gather nuts from them a few years later.
All of the present large improved paper shell pecans are the result of selection of
seedlings; and the promising varieties today, of over 100, would not exceed twelve. Each
section has its special varieties of about five in number.
There has been some effort to hybridize the pecans, and the possibility of this work
is beyond the hopes of the most sanguine workers. We first had the seedling apples, and
the seedling pears, and the seedling plums, and the seedling peach. We do not use seed-
lings of any of those fruits now. The future will possibly show equally as great improve-
ment in the development of pecans.
This line of study invites careful, thorough and, I might say, young scientific students
of horticulture.
The following pages of this booklet ^^*ill adhere strictly to the nut industry of the
United States, presenting such facts as I have gained from over twenty years’ study.
The requirements of a successful pecan grove are:
U Selection of section and soiL
2- Supply of moisture,
3. Proper drainage.
4. Plant food.
5. Humus.
6. Healthiulness of tree.
The sections of the United States which can
supply the above requirements to the best ad-
vantage are the sections which will grow pecans
most profitably.
6
The Pecan Business
Best Location
The portion of the United States from
Maryland to Missouri for the northern bor-
der, and from Missouri to Texas for the
western border, the Gulf of Mexico for the
southern border, and from Maryland to Flor-
ida for the eastern border, includes the sec-
tion where pecan trees grow.
There are splendid seedling pecans adapt-
ed to Tennessee and all territories further
north, but the present improved paper shell
varieties are best grown south of Chatta-
nooga, Tenn, and as far north as those por-
tions of North Carolina which are of the
same temperature.
From Bulletin 251 of the United States
Department of Agriculture, the most intense
sections for the growing of improved pecans
are southwest Georgia, southern Alabama
and northern Florida. The reason for this
is that these sections fulfill more of the re-
quirements of the pecan than any other sec-
tions in the United States.
At the meeting of the National Nut Grow-
ers’ Association at Houston, Texas, in 1913,
Professor W. N. Hutt, chairman of the Com-
mittee of the Pecan Acreage, reported that
when it came to seedling pecans, Texas pro-
duced over half of the crop of the United
States, but when it came to tabulating his
report of the improved pecan, the following
table shows where the budded and grafted
trees are being planted:
Georgia
Budded or
Grafted Trees
240,320
Acreage
14,000
Florida
163,935
10,371
Alabama
38,112
1,856
Mississippi
35,256
2,135
Louisiana
22,805
3,368
North Carolina ..
11,151
557
South Carolina .
10,871
558
Texas
6,814
341
Total
529,264
33,186
When we take men like Prof. John Craig,
who held the position of Professor o" Horti-
culture of Cornell University, which is the
highest chair of horticulture in the United
States, and when we take into consideration
that he, more than once, visited the Orient to
study horticulture and the possibilities there,
and when we further consider that he was
in position to carefully consider the possi-
bilities of the apple of all the favorable sec-
tions in the United States, and the possi-
bilities of the peach in the many favorable
peach sections in the United States, and the
possibilities of the California and Florida
oranges; and, as we say, when we take into
consideration this man’s opportunity for
knowledge and the fact that he, after visiting
all pecan sections, decided to plant several
hundred acres in the territory mentioned, it
is one of the strongest proofs which we have
that this section is eminently adapted to
pecan growing.
Really the cotton belt is, practically speak-
ing, the pecan belt, and from a horticul-
tural standpoint lies between the orange belt
and peach belt. In sections where oak and
hickory grow readily are places good to plant
pecans. In the absence of hickory, plant
after large trees of any kind, if riot on land
too poorly drained.
The Mississippi delta and the river bot-
toms of south Texas, so far as richness is
concerned, are very desirable sections for the
planting of pecans. Pecan trees are not
often damaged by overflows after they are
two years old, but are usually benefited.
Best Soils for Pecans
In discussing this very important subject,
we have made quite an extensive study of
it, and give our readers the benefit of some
observations.
In the first place we will make the asser-
tion that the pecan tree has a great power
to adapt itself to different soil conditions.
On the Brazos river in Texas, we saw fine
pecan trees growing on soil that was fifteen
feet deep at ‘least, and in the Pan Handle
section of Texas they do not have such deep
rich alluvial soils, but instead they have a
black waxy, compact soil, but still very lux-
uriant pecan trees grow there.
In the Mississippi Delta and Louisiana we
found the alluvial deep, rich soil with plenty
of water supply producing magnificent trees.
In south Mississippi in some sections of very
low, naturally soggy soil, which had been
well drained with frequent open ditches with
a sub-soil of a grayish nature, where the
crawfish dwells, but is ashamed of its habi-
tation, judging by the way it hides when
you approach it— still under those conditions
of soil, we find some magnificent results of
pecan growing.
Along the Piedmont foothills we find a
very hard compact red clay soil producing
excellent trees.
B. W. Stone, Thomasville, Ga.
7
At Americus, Georgia, which
claims to be the driest section of
the state, and boasts that they
have a water table about ninety-
five feet below the surface, still
they are growing on such soil,
pecan trees that are second to
none. Within less than one hun-
dred miles below Americus, we
have seen fine pecan trees stand
in water in the summer time for
over six weeks and not be dam-
aged.
In southern Florida near Tam-
pa, I found a magnificent pecan
tree which was annually yielding
splendid crops of nuts, and upon
investigation, found that there
was no clay in reach of the deep
tap roots of that pecan tree.
From the above, you can read-
ily see that no particular soil can
boast that it is the only one
suited to the development of , a
pecan tree any more than can any
particular soil boast that it is the
only soil for best results of grow-
ing cotton. Gather with me the
fact that there is something be-
sides special soils which a pecan
tree needs. You will also observe
that the thrifty trees above men-
tioned got plenty of plant food at
the right season of the year, a sufficient
amount of water (at the same time, never
stagnant water nor a sour soil), tut had
moving moisture supply and air drainage
for the roots.
Thus the best soil is where we get an ade-
quate and uniform supply of plant food; a
uniform supply of moisture with good drain-
age; uniform cultivation at right seasons of
the year. The above requirements are
most generally found on a loamy soil
with chocolate red, yellow, or gravelly clay
sub-soil; preference given in order named.
Thus you see pecan trees require three
things: Moisture, drainage, plant food in
' a proper climate, and only soils which sup-
ply these three requirements are best for
pecans.
Soils naturally endowed with qualities for
best development of regular farm crops, like
cotton, corn, oats and potatoes are the soils
that will produce best pecan groves. Sour,
damp soils will never produce a satisfactory
pecan tree.
A soil that naturally grows large trees is
always a strong one. Such soils have uni-
form subsoils, and are void of irregularities
of pipe clay, muck pockets, etc.
Remember that a pecan tree is a peren-
nial, deep rooted tree, and should be grown
on soils in which the roots of this tree can
be provided for favorably.
Those soils which are underlaid with a red
clay subsoil are best. Soils of this nature
are never soggy, being well drained and, at
the same time, retentive of moisture and are
susceptible to improvements.
Preparation
A thoroughly prepared cotton or cornfield
is a most excellent place for the planting of
pecan trees. Subsoiling the land for a few
years previous is quite beneficial, deepens
the soil and helps the supply of moisture.
The only \yay in which an improvement
could be made would be to grow one or two
crops of leguminous plants and turn them
under for the benefit of the soil. Should
there be any wet or seepy sections in the
grove, these should have open ditches or tile
drains, sometimes both, for best results. The
tile drains could be run between the pecan
tree rows.
If the soil is new ground, it is best to re-
move the stumps and plant some crop like
peas .or corn and peas for one year before
planting the trees. We have dug holes for
8
The Pecan Business
Planting the Nuts
trees in new ground and hauled good field
soil to fill in when planting the trees with
good results. Remove all sticks and chips
from near the tree to prevent wood lice from
damaging the young trees.
Distance to Plant
On all good pecan soils the trees should
be planted at least 60 feet apart. On Mis-
sissippi delta land and other very rich land
the trees should be planted at least 70 feet
apart. On some close fine grain soils that
make short limbs and intensive growth,
about 50 feet possibly would be the best
distance.
One good plan is to plant trees 40 feet
apart and each succeeding generation cut out
half that is left.
About four trees are enough on good land
after trees are 25 years old.
20 trees to acre places them 46 ft. 8 in. apart
17 trees to acre places them 50 ft. apart
12 trees to acre places them 60 ft. apart
10 trees to acre places them 66 ft. apart
9 trees to acre places them 70 ft. apart
Some pecan growers prefer to plant 20
trees to the acre, cutting out one-half of
them when they begin to crowd. It is fig-
ured that the removed trees, at the end of
their usefulness, will have compensated the
owner of the grove equal to the expense of
the grove to date. This is a common prac-
tice with the northern apple growers who, in
planting a standard apple orchard, inter-
plant it with quick-bearing, short-lived trees.
With them it is no* experiment, but instead,
when properly managed, results profitably.
For our part, we prefer 12 trees to the acre,
and use the space between the trees for gen-
eral farm crops for remuneration. Of course,
scarcity and price of land have their influ-
ence upon which plan a person decides to
use. It takes nerve to cut down a crowded
pecan tree; besides the tree cut down has
exhausted the soil more or less, and will cur-
tail the crops of the remaining trees.
Digging the Holes
We like holes dug 30 inches deep and 30
inches wide, throwing the top soil on one
side and subsoil on the other side. If planted
early in the season a large hole is better. In
planting in the spring at the end of the
season a small hole for the tree is surer. In
planting a tree in the smaller hole the roots
can touch the walls more quickly and get
the benefit of the rising moisture by capil-
lary action. A very large hole in the spring
time, during a dry spell, is much harder to
keep moisture in than a small hole.
Dynamiting for Trees* We plant trees
both with and without dynamite. We have
produced trees at the end of six years 8
inches in diameter with dynamite, and we
have produced trees at the end of six years
8 inches in diameter without the use of dy-
namite. The advantages of using the dyna-
mite are:. To loosen up very hard soils and
those with hardpans, and to facilitate the
work where a large quantity of trees are to
be planted. Grove trees, where they have
become very closely packed, or where the
soil has been too wet at times, are often
benefited by the use of two or four charges
of dynamite to within eight feet of the tree.
B. W. Stone, Thomasville, Ga.
9
The only disadvantage in using dynamite
is when the soil is too damp. It then has
a tendency to form a large pot; also it
makes loose soil too loose.
Planting the Tree
Trees should be conveyed to the field for
planting without allowing the roots to be-
come dry at all from exposure to wind or
sun. We prefer planting by taking boxes
of trees as received from the nurseryman,
removing the top, putting the boxes on a
wagon, and take out one tree at a time fresh
from the moss and plant it with the original
moisture on it. The trees can also be un-
packed and put in a barrel of water and car-
ried to the field. When ready to plant take
a knife, shears or saw and cut off afresh the
tap root. This removes any broken parts or
the possible chances of wood lice getting a
start. Cut off the broken roots by making
the slope on the under side.
In the weU prepared holes stand a tree in
the hole to see that if when planted it will
be the same depth that it was when it grew
in the nursery. This is done by digging the
hole a little deeper or filling it up some, or
trimming the tree. Use only good top soil
in filling the hole around the tree. Put in
little shovelfuls and straighten out each side
root as you come to it, packing the soil as
nicely as you can without bruising the roots.
A rammer made out of a hoe handle with
cloth tied on end is an excellent tool. When
two-thirds planted, two buckets of water
applied around the tree wiU prove of good
advantage. It is best to allow a half -hour’s
time for the water to soak around the roots,
and then finish filling up the hole with dirt
and pack it. Always leave loose soil on top.
Be sure not to let the collar of the tree be
exposed for any part of an inch. If left ex-
posed the tree will not grow. While the dirt
is being filled in around the tree, it is weU
to sift in about two pounds of fertilizer from
the bottom to the top, so that when the rain
comes it will dissolve the fertilizer and per-
meate the whole soil. (See Heading — Fer-
tilizers.)
One January we planted 200 trees by
loosely throwing in the dirt and not packing
at aU. Fortimately a heavy rain occurred
in a few days and settled the dirt more care-
fully and accurately around the roots than
we could have done by foot or hand. It was
necessary to send a hand over the field and
refill most of the holes and only two trees
had to be replanted.
In a dry time, to plant a pecan tree and
not pack the soil, would be risky, for the tree
would be giving up its moisture to the soil
and would be damaged. We have planted
pecan trees and* used a whole barrel of water
to the tree, making a regular puddle, and
failed to get best results. The reason was
that the tree demands some air as well as
soil and moisture. The roots in this case
were smothered. It is not a bad plan to
plant a pecan tree as carefully and as thor-
oughly as you do a tomato plant.
The later in the season a pecan tree is
planted, the more care is necessary to pack
the dirt around the roots. If you will fill
in around a pecan tree till you have just
gotten above a cluster of roots, and leave
the hole in basin shape to receive two buck-
ets of water, this water will place the dirt
more carefully and closely around the roots
than it is possible to do in any other way.
The best way to plant pecan trees in
Texas, where they experience such severe
drouths, is to dig the holes just sufficiently
large to well accommodate the roots of the
tree. Use water in planting so the soil will
be in close contact with the roots and solid-
ify the freshly thrown in soil with the bot-
tom of the hole so as to re-establish capillary
action. Then carefully, properly, and thor-
oughly, mulch the tree. If this is done, good
results a,\T11 be obtained.
December is the best month in which to
plant the tree. January and February are
the next best, and March is often as good,
provided a severe dry spell does not follow.
Hillside Groves
On all reasonably level land, it is more
satisfactory to lay off rows straight, but on
hillside, where terraces are needed, do not
try to have the rows straight. Lay off rows
about 30 feet from the terrace and with the
terrace. Trees grown this way will be more
easily cultivated and will yield more nuts.
Mulching and Staking
When a pecan tree has just been planted,
the best thing that can be done for it is to
give it a good mulch consisting of coarse
litter. An armful of cane pomace or pine
straw makes a good mulch. Four pounds of
10
The Pecan Business
oat straw or other coarse material also makes
a good mulch. A little retention of moisture
in a severe drouth often means the life of
a tree saved. Visit one tree during a dry
spell with a mulch around it. Investigate
the moist condition of the soil unpacked just
beneath the mulch, and be converted to
mulching.
Two good stakes about 6 feet long, about
2 feet in the ground and about 16 inches
from the tree on either side is the next best
investment that you can make for a pecan
tree. If the lower end of the stake has been
dipped in coal tar it will last longer and
ward off wood lice. ‘
In planting trees around the house, a four-
inch sewer pipe placed 16 inches deep and
12 inches from the tree, so that a couple of
buckets of water can be poured in them once
a week in a dry time, often means the life
of the tree and the gaining of one year’s
growth. Stuff a sack in the mouth of the
pipe. In the absence of a sewer pipe use an
old stovepipe or wooden box.
Fertilizers
In the study of fertilizing pecan trees we
desire simply to comply with the demands
of the tree, both in reference to the ingred-
ients and the moisture supply. The demands
of the tree are nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and
potash principally. Some lime, vegetable
matter, and moisture are also required.
In planting a tree use one pound of bone
meal and one pound of sheep manure sifted
in from bottom to top. This is sufficient
fertilizer for the first year. About February
of the second year, apply 4 pounds of a
guano analyzing 8 per cent acid, 4 per cent
ammonia and 4 per cent potash. This is
best applied in a barred furrow 6 or 8 inches
deep on either side of the tree for a space
of 3 to 4 feet. Immediately cover with turn
plow. The third year use 6 pounds, the
fourth year use 8 pounds, and apply as pre-
viously described, except lengthen the space
of application. The fifth year use 10 pounds.
This should be applied under the branches
of the tree and immediately plowed in.
In applying fertilizers to a tree five years
old or older, walk around the tree just under
the edge of the outer limbs, strewing the
fertilizer to the right and left, letting the
larger per cent be applied to the outer side,
as more roots of the tree are there than on
the inner side.
The future fertilizer for the grove should
be applied broadcast, either under regular
crops or peas, for the benefit of the trees.
As the trees begin to bear, use less nitro-
gen and more potash.
As to the forms of fertilizers, would say
that cotton seed meal, stable manure, tank-
age and leguminous crops are the best forms
of nitrogen. Bone meal and acid phosphate
are the best forms of phosphoric acid. Sul-
phate of potash, muriate of potash and Kai-
nit are the best forms of potash. We do not
recommend nitrate of soda or sulphate of
ammonia at any time.
In applying lime from 1000 to 2000 pounds
to the acre should be used. We consider the
fall of the year the best time to apply it,
and the application should be broadcast and
harrowed in.
In France heavy applications of lime are
made in the walnut groves. Also in the
United States walnuts respond to lime. In
no case do we know that lime has been detri-
mental to pecans unless it makes the shell
slightly thicker. Chestnuts are damaged by
applications of lime.
Pecans are making some growth and the
roots are active most all of the growing sea-
son, so there should be pleuty of plant food
available for the trees all the time, but the
principal growth is made in the spring.
As most all commercial fertilizers are now
made quickly available, it is best to apply
these fertilizers just before the special grow-
ing seasons. We would say put on the first
application about February 1st, and the sec-
ond about June 1st.
We are conducting fertilizer experiments
on pecans, using different forms, proportions
and amounts, and will be able to give addi-
tional information on this subject in the
future. That is one of the interesting feat-
ures of the pecan industry. The fact is that
none of us know positively the best fertil-
izers under all conditions.
Under war conditions, the most econom-
ical way to keep up the fertility of the pecan
grove is to use lime and leguminous crops
like velvet beans, peas and pinders.
The Best Cultivation for a
Pecan Grove
The best cultivation for pecan trees is a
subject that is very interesting to all pecan
growers. In the cultivation of a pecan tree
let us consider what the tree demands. The
tree demands the soil be broken about 4 or 5
inches in the winter time, when the tree is
dormant, any time after the leaves shed and
before the buds swell in the spring. In order
that a full supply of moisture may be stored
in the soil, this breaking should be done early
enough to allow the winter’s rains to soak
into the soil instead of running off. The
other cultivation during the growing period
B. W. Stone, Thonlasville, Ga.
1 1
of the tree is simply to prevent weeds and
grass from growing, and to conserve the
moisture in the sod. This cultivation through
the growing period should be more shallow
than the breaking, and should cease about
the first of August, when a pea crop should
be sown.
The tree demands that these cultivations
should be regular each year. The land
should be broken about the same depth each
year, thus preventing interference with the
root system of the tree. The cultivation
should be regular and shallow so as not to
cause the tree to shed its young fruit. It
also demands that a splendid field for root
growth be maintained during the growing
season. The most satisfactorily cultivated
trees are those where regular crops are
grown. It is disastrous to break the land
shallow one winter and deep the next. It is
also disastrous to plow the land too deep
during the growing season, or failing to keep
the land plowed.
Large cotton stalks or other deep rooted
plants in a bearing pecan grove can easily
be managed by first running a stalk cutter,
and then running a two-horse plow diagon-
ally across the rows.
I consider the best implement for the an-
nual winter breaking of a pecan grove to be
a regular turn-plow. The reason of this is
that a turn-plow will plow a more uniform
depth than a disc, and will give much better
satisfaction in plowing through the bermuda
sod and grass patches. It will also cut off
briers, heavy weeds and bushes more satis-
factory that a disc, A disc plow has many
advantages, but if run too shallow, will not
thoroughly break the soil like a turn-plow,
is harder to regulate the depth, and does not
handle bermuda sod and heavy grass patches
satisfactorily. If set for heavy sod, when it
Budded Pecan Trees — eight year set. 39 inches in circumference
12
The Pecan Business
strikes clean soil, it will go too deep. A
gang of turn-plows pulled by a traction
engine and each plow with a strong roller
disc colter or jointer attached to it for cut-
ting sod and rolling over underground ob-
structions, will give best results.
Orchard Management
Under the subject of Orchard Manage-
ment we propose to treat it only from the
field point as to what crops to cultivate in
the orchard. In other words, how to man-
age so as to develop a pecan tree or a
pecan grove. We have already told how to
plant, mulch, stake and water pecan trees,
and this applies to trees around the house
as well as to larger groves.
For a small grove the best management is
to use the grove as an intensive truck patch.
A highly fertilized, low-growing crop is an
ideal condition for pecan development, for
this complies with the requirements of the
tree — early breaking of the land, thorough
cultivation, plenty of plant food, and desir-
able moisture supply conditions. Those who
have developed larger groves have come the
nearest to complying with these require-
ments, thus fulfilling demands of the tree.
On a larger scale, cotton or any low-grow-
ing crop like Irish potatoes, pinders and peas
are the best crops to be grown. Sweet pota-
toes keep soil moist too late and sometimes
cause winter-killing. Cotton should never
be grown more than two years in succession
in a pecan grove, for the reason that it robs
the soil of too much humus. After growing
two crops of cotton, by all means use a crop
which will permit of peas or velvet beans
being planted.
A corn crop in a young pecan grove is
detrimental, from the fact that the shade
and lack of air circulation prevents the
growth of the trees. If corn is to be planted,
leave a space for three rows of pinders to
be planted at the tree row. In a cornfield
if the rows run east and west more sunshine
will be allowed to the tree than if the rows
run north and south.
The management of a large pecan grove
is best accomplished by leaving a strip along
the tree rows and grow no crop at all, just
cultivating it to keep it perfectly clean and
to conserve moisture till near the first of
August, and then plant to peas.
After the land is broken in the winter a
double-action harrow is one of the finest
tools made to use on this strip. If the strip
is in fine cultural condition, an Acme har-
row can be advantageously used. For such
work in the near future we expect there will
be a large disc harrow arranged with a force
feed fertilizer attachment, which will be used
in putting out the fertilizer around the trees.
This tool will cultivate the land, open the
furrow for fertilizer and cover it up, all by
one man and one team.
Under this subject of “Orchard Manage-
ment” a system can be established for large
groves by just growing two crops in the
groves — oats in the winter and peas in the
summer. This can only be done by those
who will use a heavy application of fertilizer,
both under the oats and under the peas, tak-
ing care not to plant oats near trees. These
two crops, properly managed, will be remun-
erative, and have the advantage of requiring
a small amount of labor, and can be handled
mostly by machinery. These two crops, on
average soil, should not receive less than
1000 pounds of guano to the acre in the
course of a year’s time for most economical
results.
In the planting of oats in a pecan grove
it is quite an advantage to cut the oats for
hay instead of allowing them to mature. By
making oat hay there is less moisture and
less plant food required than for oats. Then
again, it allows the land to be plowed earlier
for peas, often an important point in con-
servation of moisture. Fulghum oats are
best.
Considerable less fertilizer can be used if
nothing but the oat crops are gathered, leav-
ing the whole pea crop each year to be turn-
ed under for the next year crop, and for the
improvement of the ls£nd.
After the trees begin to bear, if the land
is planted in ninety-day velvet beans in con-
junction with half a corn crop, after the land
is carefully broken in winter and harrowed
in spring, you will get magnificent results
from this plan. The preparation of the land
suits the trees and conserves the moisture.
The small growing of beans and corn plants
during dry May do not rob the grove of the
moisture. Later the shade of the beans keeps
down obnoxious plant growth, and keeps the
soil cool; at the same time, it stores up
nitrogen in the soil. This crop can be easily
harrowed down around the trees to permit
nut gathering, and the remainder of the crop
can be used for cattle pasture.
A finer grove can be developed from
freshly set trees than from a grove three to
four years set, if abused by the negro and
the mule or otherwise stunted.
Pecans and Alfalfa
I wanted to know if alfalfa and pecans
would make a good combination, so planted
13 acres of a five-year grove solid to alfalfa
Oct. 10, 1914*. The alfalfa did nicely and
the best acre yielded 5400 pounds, and sold
for $54.00 baled.
B. \\\ Stone, Thovlasmlle, Ga.
13
Pabst
See description on p>ag-e 25
The wav to grow the two
together, pecans and alfalfa, is
to first get the pecans estab-
lished one or two years, and
then plant to alfalfa. On a
strip by the side of the tree
row, use the mowing machine
frequently to prevent heavy
growth. On the middle strip
between the tree row, cut for
hay or graze by pasturing. As
the alfalfa gets older, widen
the strips which are mowed.
When a dry season occurs,
mow the alfalfa very closely,
£ilways leaving the mowed
alfalfa for a mulch. The ad-
vantage of this arrangement is
you are through with plowing,
the alfalfa builds the soil for
pecan trees, the clippings
mulch the land, the grove is
always accessible for the
spray wagon, and there is
never any danger of fire.
Gro\Wng a Pecan Tree
On flat beds, prepared as if for cotton, 5
feet wide and previously fertilized with about
500 pounds of guano in the drill, we make a
trench and plant blocky seedling nuts, run-
ning about 100 to the pound, 5 to 6 inches
apart. This planting is done in December
or January. We cover the nuts 2 inches
deep and await their sprouting. Just before
they come up we board them off. which
helps to keep down the weeds and grass.
With rake and small hoes we clear the drill
and with cultivators we plow the middles.
About the middle of August we plant a
row of peas between the rows of trees in
order to keep vegetable matter incorporated
in the soil. We grow the peas also between
the trees that are large enough to dig, for
we find that the peas do the most good after
the trees have quit growing, and the peas
help to ripen up the trees.
Eighteen months after the nuts are plant-
ed the seedlings should be from 2 to 3 feet
high and are ready to bud. We consider the
month of July the best month for budding
nursery trees. We generally commence the
last of June and continue through August.
This is the time of year that the sap is flow-
ing freely and will allow the bark to slip.
• Budding the Pecan. We use a double-
bladed knife by taking two single rigid
knives which we get of Mayer & Grosh.
Toledo, Ohio. We rivet them to a piece of
poplar, so as to make the blades parallel and
one inch apart. We can furnish these dou-
ble-bladed knives for -Sl.lO each, pK)stpaid.
Use well develoi>ed buds for the trees from
which you wish to bud: preferably cutting
the buds in the morning for the whole day's
work, immediately cutting off the leaf stems
and wrapping the bud sticks in a damp
cloth.
Budding the Tree. On a smooth place on
the tree with knife remove a cuff by cut-
ting just through the bark, split on back and
remove cuff. Then cut a cuff with bud on it
off of the bud stick, remove carefully with-
out splitting and insert on tree where space
is made for it. Take a strip of waxed cloth
one-half inch wide and above 14 inches long
and wrap the bud securely, like a surgeon.
Commence below the bud and get one round
so it will be lapped and secure before you
get up to the loose bud. Carefully hold the
bud in place and wrap spirally, leaving noth-
ing out but the bud, and you need not leave
it out. In three to four weeks the strings
should be taken off. Cut top off 4 inches
above bud and keep off suckers. You may
tie bud to this stub to prevent wind from
blowing it off.
Bttdding Qoth. Take 5^2 pounds rosin,
S pounds beeswax, 1 pound tallow, best
quality of each, put in a lard can and heat
till it boils. Good bleaching makes best
cloth. Tear in strips 14 inches wide and
fold close to dip. Dip in and with two thin
boards strip off all the wax you can. Un-
fold while warm. When cool, fold up and
14 The Pecan Business
keep wrapped in good paper. These are the
exact operations practiced by us.
Several parties have learned how to bud
from our instructions, but a number of them
write us that growing trees is a business of
itself, and that they prefer to buy them than
grow them.
Cost of Groves
The cost of a grove depends upon the
location. It can be developed much cheaper
on a small scale, where the owner looks after
it personally, than where it is managed at
a distance.
The first thing to consider is the cost of
the land; then comes the preparation, the
digging of the holes, planting of the trees,
cultivation, fertilizers, re-planting, manage-
ment, the interest on investment, taxes and
overhead charges.
Where one is conveniently located and can
grow intensive crops between the trees, the
cost of the grove is reduced to the minimum
price. But where the grove is developed on
a larger scale intensive cultivation is out of
the question; the returns for the crop do
not enter into the returns from the invest-
ment, and the grove is a constant expense
till it begins to bear. So the cost of the
grove depends upon convenience or incon-
venience, and its size, together with the time
it take^ to develop it.
A grove brought to bearing age in five or
six years costs more money than one which
has taken eight to ten years to bring it to
bearing age.
There are bulletins written showing the
cost of apple orchards and peach orchards
to the bearing age, and the prices range from
$200 to $500 per acre. Pecan groves can be
produced for similar amounts.
Pruning
Pecan trees require as little pruning as any
fruit trees grown. When the tree is first set
out, unless it is over 7 feet high, we do not
even take off the terminal bud. Were we
planting in arid Texas, we would cut them
down to 12 or 18 inches high.
When the buds first grow, possibly the
best plan is to promptly remove all those
not needed, leaving only those at the top to
form a head.
It is best to leave every leaf on, and when
the buds have grown 2 or 3 inches pinch out
the buds of the undesirable branches and
leave the leaves on the stem to aid in the
assimilation and, developing of sap; shading
the body of the tree and not leaving the
scarred surface by removal.
The first two or three years the only prun-
ing necessary is to pinch out the buds of
the limbs which are not in the proper place
for tree forming. The next few years the
pruning necessary is to remove the cross
branches which would interfere with the
even head formation of the tree. Trees
should form their head from 5 to 7 feet from
the ground.
In removing a limb we follow the prac-
tice of cutting the limb off, not close to the
body, but up the limb twice the diameter
of the limb. This applies to small as well
as larger limbs. The reason of this is that
if the limb is removed close to the body it
will present an open surface for evaporation
often from 20 per cent to 40 per cent of the
circumference of the tree, but by cutting it
off higher up — twice the diameter — and
leaving it there for two years before cutting
close to the body, it will then present an
open surface for a much smaller per cent of
circumference. All freshly cut surfaces
should be painted over to prevent the evap-
oration of sap from the tree and prevent
fungus diseases from entering. A good
white lead with a little oil and just enough
lampblack to make the mixture near the
color of the bark is fine. The lampblack
has no virtue other than preventing con-
spicuousness. Deck paint is ready prepared
and is good.
A crotch tree is one in which the trunk
is equally balanced into two branches. This
is a very dangerous form for a tree, owing
to the fact that storms often split them and
ruin the whole tree. The best remedy for
a crotch tree is to cut off about one-third
of the branches on one of the limbs. This
will allow the other limbs to predominate,
and in a short time the tree ceases to be a
crotch tree.
How to Top- Work a Large
Pecan Tree
This consists of three things : Sawing the
top off while the trees are dormant; bud-
ding into the sprouts the following summer;
and keeping the suckers removed.
In detail, we would say that any time in
the winter while the trees are dormant, pref-
erably February, is the time to top them.
Trees from 12 inches down are the ones
most advantageously worked. On approach-
ing a tree, glance at it and decide where
you want it to form its future head by
selecting a cluster of branches on the tree/
Do not undertake to bud the tree at con-
siderable distance up and down; it is not
necessary. After you have selected the clus-
ter for the future head, then saw off the
B. W. Stone, Thomasmlle, Ga.
15
Frotscher
See description on page 23
main trunk from 6 to 10 inches
above the upper branches, and
the other branches from 6 to
20 inches to give it a pyra-
midal shape. Arrange to leave
on the tree from 15 to 20 per
cent of the lower limbs to keep
up the circulation of the sap,
thereby affording vigor and
stamina to the tree while the
new head is being formed. In
sawing off these limbs care-
fully saw the under side first
and then saw the upper side,
avoiding, in each case, the
limbs splitting downward.
When this is cut, paint it at
once. If the trees are in a
scrawny condition they must
be fertilized at once, but if in
a thriftj’ condition, the fer-
tilizer will not be needed.
Avoid making the trees too
thrifty, for it will cause the
sprouts to grow abnormally.
About the first of May, if the trees have
sent out too many branches they should be
thinned out so they will be about 4 to 8
inches apart. This is necessary in order to
have weU ripened sprouts to receive the buds
later on. The month of July is the best
month to bud these new sprouts. While the
bark is too tender, and the buds are not
brown, the trees are not ripe for topping,
and, if budded then, will not live or do well.
The budding of the sprouts is exactly the
same operation as described for budding the
trees in the nursery. When ready to bud,
arrange to put from 10 to 20 buds on a tree,
that is, from 6 to 10 inches in diameter. Thin
out the sprouts to that number. While this
is too many, we want to make sure of get-
ting a stand the first summer. When the
budder inserts his bud in the new sprout,
he should immediately cut the sprout off
about 30 inches above bud, leaving five or
six fine leaves. The object of cutting this
sprout off that height is to protect it in a
sudden wind storm.
In four weeks after the buds are inserted,
and they are always inserted on the upper
side of the limb, the wraps should be care-
fully removed. As soon as removed, the
sprouts should be again cut — this time 3 or
4 inches aboves the buds.
In another two weeks visit the buds again
with knife and strings. Remove aU suckers
carefully with knife and, with the strings,
tie the newly grown buds, which should be
from 4 to 10 inches long, to this cut off
stub to prevent its being blown off by the
wind.
Two or three weeks later visit the trees
again, and remove suckers and tie any nec-
essary buds. This completes the work for
the first summer.
When the buds begin to grow, keep all
suckers (seedling sprouts) removed prompt-
ly. When sufficient buds begin to grow to
form the new head of tree, and when these
inserted buds are about one foot in length,
retard the growth of that lower 20 per cent
of sap ripening limbs by cutting them part
into and breaking limbs down. They will
still stay green, but wUl not make much
growth. If top of tree where buds have been
inserted is doing well, these lower limbs
should be removed about the middle of July.
If buds fail to grow, or enough fall to grow,
then leave on that 20 per cent of lower limbs
tUl a fair top has been started. AU very
rapidly growing buds should have one-half
of the tops removed at any time of the year.
This makes them stocky and saves them in
time of gales.
To Top-Work a Pecan Tree in the Spring
by Graftuig by Slipbark Metho<h Saw off
tree I to 6 inches in diameter when growth
begins in the spring so bark wUl sUp. Take
dormant scions of variety desired; sharpen
them down on one side only, having the cut
surface about 3 inches long. On side of tree
with least ridge pry open the bark with
wedge a short distance and insert prepared
scions, shoving down tiU cut surface is not
exposed. Tie securely with wax cloth and
cover top of tree with wax.
16
The Pecan Business
Pecans on Hickory
Top work with hickory to pecans has been
done by many and in some places exten-
sively. Theoretically the plan was all cor-
rect, but results prove that it is strictly not
desirable for heavy yields. The pecans grow
too fast for a few years, and when the top
is compelled to partake of the nature of the
slower growing stock it curtails its growth
and especially its yield. At the end of twelve
or fifteen years I believe I can plant a pecan
seed and bud it to a pecan and grow a finer
tree than can be grown by top working a
hickory 6 inches in diameter to start with.
Go slow on top working hickory to pecan
except for effect in a small way and for
interesting work.
Pecan Diseases
Some people are under the impression that
the hardy pecan tree of the forest is free
from insects, but the State Entomologist of
Georgia makes the statement that forty in-
sects attack the pecan. We are glad that
there are so many insects that like the pecan,
for even insects like something good.
Of the forty insects which attack pecans,
there are only a few serious ones, and the
entomologist assures us that with sprays of
arsenate of lead we can control the insects
satisfactorily. One of the worst insects is
the pecan case bearer, which attacks the
young buds ; another is the web worm, which
eats holes in the leaves and devours the blos-
soms. They can be controlled by the appli-
cation of arsenate of lead. The web worm,
the borer, and the girdler all come in for
their share of attention, but none seriously
affect the grove if proper attention is given.
The girdler is easily controlled by collecting
all of the limbs and burning them. These
limbs always contain the eggs for the next
brood. Web worms or tent cafterpillars in
this section make three broods each year —
May, July and September. The remedy is
to carefully collect them before they mature
and destroy them by mashing them or burn-
ing them after they have been removed from
the tree. The pecan borer makes a hole in
the trunk of the tree about the size of a lead
pencil and is controlled by applying with a
medicine dropper some carbon bisulphide
and plugging the hole with clay or putty.
Rosette is, up to date, a pecan trouble
which we have not solved, but one to which
Uncle Sam is devoting careful and scientific
attention, and we hope within a short time
to be able to entirely control the bad effects
of this disease. So far it is believed to be
caused by physiological disturbances of the
soil moisture.
Gathering the nuts and making one shipment of one ton is the true elixir of life
B. W. Stone, Thomasville, Ga.
17
What Fruits Not to Grow
in a Pecan Grove
This list includes all extra long-lived trees,
such as pears, apples and mulberries.
What Fruits to Grow in a
Pecan Grove
In most sections where pecan trees are
grown, peaches can be grown successfully be-
tween the trees. The main point to consider
is to be sure not to allow the soil to become
exhausted by the peach trees, thus depriving
the pecan trees of sufficient nutrition.
In a few sections figs and Japan Persim-
mons make good by-crops for pecan groves.
In sections where the temperature and
other conditions permit, the Satsuma orange
appears to be the most profitable fruit to
grow with pecans. The belt of country
between Lake Charles, La., and Brunswick,
Ga., is favorably situated, being shielded
from severe temperatures, and is supplied
with sufficient moisture to grow to perfec-
tion Satsuma oranges.
One would ask, “Has ^the Satsuma any
enemies or drawbacks?” To this we would
say that it has its quiver full. The first
drawback is the possible visitation of a
severe freeze. There has not been a severe
freeze in South Georgia since February, 1899,
but this is not saying that we will not have
one soon, or even a severe freeze in the next
three successive seasons. The lowest tem-
perature during the above mentioned freeze
was two degrees above zero in Thomasville;
at Mobile, Ala., it was one degree below zero,
and one degree below zero at Tifton, Ga.
Since that date the lowest temperatures at
Thomasville and Mobile have been fifteen
degrees above zero and at Tifton, Ga., thir-
teen degrees. So long as the temperature
does not get below twelve degrees, the Sat-
suma orange industry can survive.
After carefully considering the advisabil-
ity of this section for Satsuma oranges, we
planted fifty acres in a young pecan grove
near Thomasville, and at the present date
they are showing up better than we antic-
ipated. Come to see. them.
The Satsuma requires mineral fertilizers
strictly, and for young trees a guano which
would analyze 7 per cent acid, 5 per cent
ammonia and 12 per cent potash is recom-
mended for best results. The ammonia is
best obtained from sulphate of ammonia and
nitrate of soda. The potash should always
be from sulphate of potash. Use less am-
monia as the trees begin to bear.
One grower in South Alabama shipped a
car load from thirty acres the fourth year.
We are looking for a car load from fifty
acres the fifth year.
Age of Bearing
We have repeatedly had pecan trees which
bore the first year, grafted in the nursery.
We had one tree which bore sixty- two large
nuts the third year, seventy-five the fourth
year, and eight hundred the fifth year. We
had a Mobile which bore 20y2 pounds the
fifth year. We gathered 14Y2 pounds of
Money Maker the sixth year, and 5^2
pounds of Curtis the sixth year from a tree
growing in Bermuda grass and planted to
oats each wdnter. The famous Parker ten-
acre grove began bearing a few nuts the
fourth and bore 180 pounds the fifth year.
All this is to show that pecans often begin
to bear early, but all of the pecan growers,
seeking practical results, do not want trees
to bear till the eighth year. If cultivated
for growth till this age they will then make
much larger yields than if allowed to be
stunted in early bearing.
Actual Pecan Yields
The Moore nut bore 62 pounds the sixth
year after planting ; the Mobile 2OY2 pounds
the fifth year. The Brooks bore in three
years — the seventh, eight and ninth year, a
total of 200 pounds, the tenth year 106
pounds. The Wight Frotscher tree bore B44
pounds in 1913, and a total of 2,140 pounds
in the whole 22 years planted.
The Wise grove at Fitzgerald, Ga., ten
acres, bore a few nuts the fourth year. The
fifth year bore 63 pounds, the ninth year
900 pounds, and the tenth year 1,100 pounds.
R. J. Parks’ grove of twenty-five acres,
twenty-seven trees to the acre, bore the
ninth year, 2,800 pounds.
The Calloway tree at Hardaway, Ga., in
1911, bore 400 pounds, and that was its
twenty-fifth year.
The original Claremont pecan tree at Pe-
cania. La., is about forty years old, and has
produced as high as 350 pounds of nuts in a
single season, which have sold for 40 cents a
pound and over. The tree is valued by its
owner at $1,000.
Theo. Bechtel has in his back yard at
Ocean Springs, Miss., a tree of the Van
Deman variety, a kind which is not regarded
as a prolific bearer, although its advocates
claim that additional age will show increas-
ing crops, a theory which seems to find con-
firmation in this case. The tree was planted
in 1900. The crop of 1910 was 100 pounds.
A year later, 1911, it yielded 60 pounds; in
1912, 70 pounds; in 1913, 185 pounds; in
1914, 100 pounds.
18
The Pecan Business
Mr. I. P. Delmas of Pascagoula, Miss., has
one of the best kept orchards we ever saw,
and he has, on eighteen acres, 325 trees of
Delmas, Stuart, Schley and Success planted
in 1903. We saw him gathering 75 barrels
of 130 pounds to the barrel in the year 1912,
and he sold the nuts for 60c, 40c and 75c per
pound, according to variety. The crop of
1911 was 52 barrels.
The John I. Parker grove here at Thomas-
ville, consisting of ten acres (Frotschers),
bore;
4th year a few nuts
5th year 180 pounds
6th year 210 pounds
7th year 1137 pounds
8th year 637 pounds
9th year 2698 pounds
and netted that year $90.00 per acre
10th and 11th year poor crops
All these are records of the best yielding
trees and groves, but the owners of each
will tell you that their experience enables
them to do even better if it were repeated.
Gathering, Drying, Polish-
ing and Grading
Gathering, From the middle of Septem-
ber to the first of November is the time
for gathering pecan nuts. The greatest per
cent of the crop is gathered between the
dates of October 15th and November 15th.
Some make three or four gatherings of the
crop to prevent discoloration and the loss
from intruders, and to prevent those in the
flooded districts from being washed away.
The most practical time to gather pecans
is when 80 per cent of the shells have crack-
ed. Just before gathering remove all ob-
structions from under the tree, either by
mowing it off with a mowing machine, or
cutting it off with a hoe. Then, with good
fishing poles, thresh down the nuts of high
trees. This is accomplished by making a
high frame on a wagon which will allow the
men to reach the branches of the trees from
the frame.
In picking up nuts from the ground, never
put your hands on one which still has its
shell on it. The reason for this is that they
are more or less faulty, and will not pay
for the trouble of handling. Gather nuts in
suitable baskets like peach baskets, and
pour them into sacks for carrying to the
pecan storage room. In gathering be sure
never to mix the varieties. Two large sheets,
one on each side of the tree, make quite a
convenience in gathering nuts. When hulled
out, burn the hulls or scatter in hog lot. In
this way the shuck worm is destroyed.
Pecans and Alfalfa
B. W. Stone, Thomasvflle, Ga.
19
Success. (See description on page 25.)
Drying. The nuts are dried
by placing in sacks of about
one bushel each ; the sacks be-
ing handled several times in
being taken out to sun and
returned, thus polishing them.
Still another way is to place
them on screen sieves in
the sun. Still another way
is to place them on screen
shelves in the storage room.
They should become thor-
oughly dry before they are
offered for . sale, this taking
about three weeks’ time.
Artificial driers are in satis-
factory operation. The pecans
are put on screens, then placed
in a kiln and heat applied for
ten hours at about 110 de-
grees. Then the doors are
opened and the kiln is allowed
to gradually cool off for ten
or twelve hours. Fresh nuts
used this way are thoroughly
and uniformly dried, and by chemical an-
alysis, make no change in their composition.
They are ready to be stored in bulk or for
consumption.
A damp cellar is never a good place to
store pecans, because they will become
rancid. Any good ventilated building
where the moisture can be controlled, makes
the best storage room. To keep them over
six or eight months, they will probably have
to be put into cold storage, where the tem-
perature should be from thirty-five to forty
degrees; and so far as we know will keep
indefinitely.
Polishing. Some varieties of nuts, like
Frotscher, Pabst, Van Deman, and others
reasonably clean, appear best on the market
without any extra polishing. Money Maker,
Brooks, Schley, Delmas, and other nuts
which are too dark when first gathered, are
wonderfully improved in appearance by pol-
ishing before being offered for sale.
This operation is performed by rubbing
them in sacks, and also by machinery made
for that purpose, which might be termed a
mixing machine or polishing machine. This
polishing operation does not improve or de-
tract from the quality of the nut. Quanti-
ties of mixed nuts, varying greatly in color,
are often stained to give them a uniform ap-
pearance for commercial purposes. This is
an advantage from the appearance stand-
point, but is detrimental from the quality
standpoint. The public needs to be educated
to the fact that the finest quality of nuts is
obtained from those not artificially stained.
Grading. Most likely the proper grading
for pecans w’iU require them to be put into
three separate grades: No. 1, No. 2 and
cuUs. Alw^ays crack the culls and sell them
as meats only.
Grading machines with elongated slots in
the cylinders should be used.
The National Pecan Exchange decided to
grade as follows: Stuart, Frotscher, Del-
mas, Alley and Money Maker 13-16 and up,
short diameter, to be classed as No. 1, and
11-16 and 12-16 to constitute No. 2. Varie-
ties Schley, Van Deman and Pabst 12-16 and
up to constitute No. 1, and the next two
lower sixteenths to be classed as No. 2. Cur-
tis 11-16 and up as No. 1, and 9-16 and 10-16
No. 2. On account of irregular filling habits
of Nelson, Columbian, Mobile, Teche and
Russell, they were not graded.
Marketing
The growing of pecans is one business, and
marketing them is altogether another busi-
ness. In order to sell our pecans we have to
study the markets, learn w’hat the trade
w’ants, in w’hat grade they want them, num-
ber of grades, and in w’hat packages they are
w'anted.
We can often sell our pecans to a private
fancy trade by advertising, sending out
prices with samples, and dispose of our crops
very satisfactorily to this direct trade; but
w*hen quantities of the standard varieties
are gathered, and are ready to be shipped in
car loads, we have to rely upon the regular
20
The Pecan Business
channels of trade that handle such products
in car load lots.
We are quite fortunate in having many
produce exchanges to discover the best ways
of offering such crops. We also have the
benefit of the apple and peach exchanges,
which have to handle a perishable crop, in
a limited time, to a limited territory. We
are also fortunate in having the benefit of
the California Fruit Exchange of many years
in successful operation, in handling a valu-
able crop, all disadvantages being considered.
The different pecan organizations recog-
nize this subject as one of the most import-,
ant problems for consideration, and they
have committees composed of the most ef-
ficient members to make a study of this
marketing, and we do not anticipate any
serious trouble or losses, in disposing of the
nuts grown in the South. We realize that
the fancy prices of from 50c to $1.00 a pound
are excessive, when the nuts in quantities
have to be handled through the regular chan-
nels of trade, like other products.
The pecan growers already realize the nec-
essity of direct representation by the prac-
tical growers in the great question of mar-
keting the nuts. The New York Milk Trust
teaches us not to be at the mercy of the
jobbers. The experiences of the grain grow-
ers with the Elevator Trust serves a valuable
sign board to the pecan grower.
It is well to work up a private trade, elim-
inating the middle men as much as possible,
but at the same time co-operating with those
men who are laboring to establish a pecan
exchange for the disposition of all the nuts,
so that proper returns will be realized.
If the Georgia peach growers, with 12,000,-
000 of trees, can find a satisfactory market
for 4,000 car loads of peaches in the short
space of eight weeks, selling a perishable
product which cannot be. shipped too great
a distance, it looks possible that the pecan
growers can sell the nuts from the half mil-
lion trees, when they have twelve months’
time, and for a product that is not perishable
and can be shipped to any point on the globe.
Acquaint the world with the merits of the
Paper Shell Pecan, and the problem of mar-
keting will be solved.
Best Pecan Crackers
When you have formed the habit of eating
pecans which, by the way, is a very pleasant
one, the next best addition is a qut cracker.
The Perfection Cracker, made at Wayco,
Texas, proves to be a very satisfactory
implement. The Squirrel Cracker is a more
rapid machine, but does not crack the nuts
quite so nicely. The New Hand Cracker,
made by Mr. F. B. Mays of Whorton, Texas,
is a more rapid machine than the two just
mentioned, and any one wanting to crack a
quantity for home market will find it an
excellent implement. All the above machines
can be had for $1.00 each.
Should you be interested in cracking nuts
in a wholesale way, where you wish to. fur-
nish them by the ton, write Mr. Robt. Wood-
son, of St. Louis, Mo., and get his prices on
a power machine, which will crack from 500
to 600 pounds per day. Another power-
cracking machine can be had of the Louis-
iana Nut & Machine Co., New Orleans, La.
Dry pecans are more easily cracked if
soaked in water over night.
Pecan Analysis and Food
Value
We enclose here from the Department of
Agriculture at Washington, D. C., analysis
of pecans and all other nuts, and a com-
parison of these nuts to other food products.
At a glance, one can see the value of pecans
as compared to the other nuts.
PERFECTION NUT CRACKER
We furnish them.
B. W. Stone, Thomasville, Ga.
21
Food Value of Nuts Compared
Pecans Lead the List
(From the Farmers Bulletin No. 122, Department of Agriculture)
Gjmposition of Nuts and Some Other Food Materials
Water
per
Cent
Protein
per
Cent
Fat
per
Cent
Carbo
Hyd-
rates
per
; Cent
Ash
per
Cent
Fuel
Value
per
Pound
1 calories
Acorns
4.1
8.1
37.4
i 48.0
2.4
2,718
Almonds
4.8
21.0
54.9
17.3
2.0
1 3,030
Beechnuts
4.0
21.9
57.4
13.2
3.5
3,263
Beefsteak
61.9
18.9
18.5
1.0 1
: 1,130
Butternuts
4.5
27.9
61.2 1
3.4
3.0 i
3,371
Brazil Nuts
5.3
17.0
66.8 :
7.0
3.9 1
3,329
Chestnuts (fresh)
45.0
6.3
6.4
42.1
1.3 :
1,125
Chestnuts (dried)
5.9
10.7
7.0
74.2
2.2 1
1,875
Cocoanuts
14.1
5.7
50.6
27.9
1.7
2,986
Cocoanuts (shredded)
3.5
6.3
57.3
31.6
1.3
3,105
English Walnuts
2.8
16.7 !
64.4 !
14.8
1.3
3,305
Filberts , !
3.7
15.6
65.3
12.0
2.4
3,432
Hickory Nuts
3.7
15.4
67.4
11.4
2.1
3,495
Litchi Nuts
17.9
2.9
.2
77.5
1.5
1,453
Pecans
3*0
\U0
71*2
133
13
3,6S3
Peanuts, raw
9.2
25.8
38.6
24.4
2.0 '
2,560
Peanuts, roasted
1.6
30.5
49.2
16.2
2.5
3,177
Pistachio, kernels
4.2
22.6
54.5
15.6
3.1
3,010
Pinenuts or pinon
3.4
14.6
61.9
17.3
2.8
3,364
Potatoes
78.3
2.2
.1
18.4
1.0
385
Walnuts
2.5
27.6
56.3
11.7
1.9
3,105
Wheat Flour i
i 12.8
10.8
1.1
74.8
0.5
1,640
As we have mentioned before, if pecans
were put into the lunches of the school
children, they would not only very easily
consume the nuts of the United States, but
from this table you can see that they would
be supplied with the very finest of products.
Nut lunches on the trains are the most sat-
isfactory lunches that can be prepared.
The Battle Creek Sanitarium at Battle
Creek, Mich., is the greatest institution of
its kind in the world, and uses nuts to the
exclusion of meats. I am in receipt of a
recent letter from Dr. J. H. Kellogg, super-
intendent of that famous sanitarium, deal-
ing with the food merits of the pecan. Dr.
Kellogg says;
“You ask my opinion with reference to
the pecan. I regard it as one of the very
finest of nature’s choice products. A pound
of pecans contains more nourishment than
any other known food. A pound of pecans
contains as much protein as half a pound
of meat, as much fat as three-fourths of a
pound of butter and as much starch and
carbohydrates as one-fourth of a pound of
bread; so that a pound of pecans is the
equivalent of a pound and a half of other
highly concentrated and nourishing food.
In comparing total values, a pound of pe-
cans is worth, in nutritive value, two pounds
of pork chops, three pounds of salmon, two
and a ‘half pounds of turkey or five pounds
of veal.
“An acre of land planted in pecans will
produce from four to ten times as much
nourishment as one used for pasture. In
the next century nuts will largely, if not
entirely, take the place of meats on the bill
of fare and the pecan will assume its right-
ful place at the head of the list of nourish-
ing and digestible foodstuffs.”
It is reported by good authorities that the
United States produced more pecans in the
year 1912 than it produced in the whole
twentieth century. In 1884 there was only
one car load of pecans sheUed, in 1912 there
22
The Pecan Business
were 298 car loads of pecans shelled. This
shows considerable increase, but is small as
compared to what it will be in the next ten
years. Greater uses for nuts are found every
day, and the quantities used by confection-
ers and grocery stores are rapidly increasing
their immense consumption.
The industry of the peanut increased from
a few pounds to over a thousand car loads
a year and still we imported last year of
peanuts along, 29,000,000 pounds.
Although at present the use of the pecan
is almost unlimited, it is small when com-
pared to what it will be when the public
becomes informed of its quality.
The eating of excessive amount of pecans,
or after heavy meals or late at night, is not
recommended, but eaten with other foods,
as all heavily concentrated foods should be
eaten, will prove beneficial to almost any
one. The pecan especially appeals to those
using the raw food diet,. as well as to those
who want a sanitary article and 100 per cent
good meat in concentrated form.
The National Convention instructed Mrs.
Thomas A. Banning of Robertsdale, Ala.,
to prepare a booklet — “How to Use Nuts.”
Write her for it.
A conservative estimate fixes ten acres of
grass land necessary to supply an average
family with beef for one year. The same
conservative estimate fixes one-tenth that
amount of land necessary to supply an aver-
age family with the choicest and most
wholesome food of pecans.
The Future Marketing of
Pecans
The old adage, “Necessity knows no law,”
we think will prove applicable to the sub-
ject of marketing pecans. A few years ago
no one dreamed that it would take a few
million dollars to supply the peanut trade
of today, and the demand is still growing;
while the quantities of corn flakes and such
cereals that are now being used would stag-
ger the average person.
The tendency towards convenience in all
food products compels us to believe that a
large percent of the pecan crop ten years
hence will be offered already shelled. This
presents the unit of food to the consumer
without the necessity of a cracker, and elim-
inates the inconvenience of the shells and
annoyance of scattered fragments.
When the Paper Shell Pecan is sufficient-
ly well known, and is offered to the public
in shelled cartons or packages, the traveling
public on parlor cars and day coaches can
alone use more pecans than are at present
grown. Any product having the immense
value of the pecan will have plenty of com-
petition in the commercial world that han-
dles it. No one pecan exchange will monop-
olize the business, but each district will have
one, and possibly several, exchanges in each
district. Co-operation will be one of the
essentials for successful handling of pecans,
and the other will be the proper grading and
classifying.
Don’t Plant Pecan
Seedlings
There is not one valuable
pecan seedling in the United
States that would come true
from the seed. Do not plant
seedlings, because their bear-
ing qualities are so uncertain.
Some will be prolific, some
barren and many shy. Don’t
plant pecan seedlings, because
one hundred of them- will yield
a job lot of one hundred sorts.
Seedlings, on account of size,
are more difficult to gather,
less remunerative, and are
hard to classify.
See description on page 26
Varieties
We propagate the standard
varieties of pecans, and con-
stantly study the adaptability
of each variety to the different
B. W. Stone, Thomasville, Ga.
23
sections where pecans are
planted. Some varieties, after
being tested a few years, fail
to have the necessary require-
ments to warrant the contin-
uation of their planting. Other
varieties are discovered which
have some superior merits, and
they are all thoroughly tested,
and if they prove to have the
essential good points they are
then propagated.
A variety must have three
essential qualities: The first
is tonnage, the second is ap-
pearance, and the third is
quality. It would not be a
bad plan to add to these three
main essential qualities, the
quality of healthfulness of the
tree. We put tonnage or yield
first, for it makes no differ-
ence how superior a nut is in
all other points if it is not a
good yielder it does not become popular.
Under the heading of appearance, it is
first essential that the nut present well
before it is cracked, and it must also
present well after it is cracked. The qual-
ity of the nut is the third essential point,
and it is the one that is the proof of the
good qualities of a variety, and one that is
essential in order that the demand may be
made constant.
Stuart
Size large, ovate cylindrical ; color grayish-
brown, splashed and dotted with purplish-
black; base rounded, tipped; apex blunt,
abrupt, somewhat four-angled ; shell medium
in thickness; partitions thin; cracking qual-
ity not very good; kernel plump, fuU, bright
straw colored; sutures moderately broad
and deep, secondary sutures not well de-
fined; texture solid, fine grained; flavor
rich, sweet; quality very good. While very
plump it is not so easily removed from shell
whole as some other varieties.
The whole country over still votes the
Stuart a popular pecan. We have given a
full description of it, and in addition, would
say, the objection to it is that it is a little
hard to shell, but if allowed to ripen for two
months it shells very much more readily, and
then the plump kernels are exceedingly at-
tractive. The cracking machines will handle
them very satisfactorily when we get a sur-
plus of this fine nut. Another objection to
the Stuart is that the rosette likes this va-
riety especially. In some sections the shuck
worm materially affects the appearance of
the Stuart for market.
Frotscher
Size large, cylindrical ovate; color bright
yellowish brown, with a few black splashes
about the apex; base broad, rounded; apex
blunt-pointed, four-angled ; shell slightly
ridged, smooth, thin; partitions thin; crack-
ing quality excellent; kernel brownish-yel-
low, dark veined, frequently slack at one
end; sutures of medium depth, rather nar-
row; secondary sutures well marked; tex-
ture dry, flavor good, quality fair to me-
dium. (See illustration on page 15.)
The Frotscher is a very popular nut in
this whole section. Its finest point is the
appearance it makes upon the market. They
are easily cracked without any artificial as-
sistance, and where the trees are given in-
tensive culture they give best satisfaction.
It is not a variety that will stand neglect like
some other varieties, and this one point has
caused some to dislike it. This last summer
has been a very severe test upon the
Frotscher, inasmuch as it has been the driest
year in the last forty, and the Frotschers
have universally sheded their nuts; possibly
such dry weather will not occur again soon.
We do not think less of the Frotscher for
having shed such a large per cent of its nuts
this year, knowing that all varieties have
their weak points.
24
The Pecan Business
We consider the Frotscher
still one of the safe, standard
nuts. Our observation has
been that when this variety is
grown on stiff, red clay land,
that the kernels are brighter
and freer from the peppering
appearance, than when grown
on looser soil.
Schley
Size above medium, oblong,
oval flattened; color light red-
dish - brown, marked with
small specks about the base
and small splashes of purplish
brown about the apex; base
rounded, abruptly short nip-
pled; apex abrupt, flattened
on two sides.
The objections are that in
some very moist sections some
years it scabs considerably on
the lower limbs. The other
objection is that the nuts are
not as bright in appearance,
and will not show up so well
in the market. Even in sec-
tions where it scabs badly the
drier years, it yields a most
satisfactory crop through the
middle of the cotton states,
and especially in Texas it is
one of the finest varieties that
can be planted for commercial
orchards.
The Schley pecan, if a pro-
lific bearer, would occupy half
of all the orchards planted, on
account of its being of very thin shell, fine
texture and good quality. In sections where
it has been tested and proved to be a reason-
ably fair bearer we think it will result in
being the most profitable variety to plant.
Up to the present, the most universal report
of the Schley has been that it was too shy a
bearer, but now the trees are getting older,
and many sections are reporting that the
Schley is bearing sufficiently good crops
now. The kernel is not only plump
and universally well filled, but it has a very
uniform bright color of the meat. Another
objection to the Schley is that it is not so
large as some of the other varieties and
crops run irregular in size.
Delmas
Size large to very large, averaging 40 to 50
nuts to the pound ; form oblong, ovate ; shell
moderately thin; kernel plump; quality
good to very good; flavor excellent; tree
one of the most vigorous of all; very pro-
ductive. The nuts are not as
bright as some of the other
varieties, but are exceedingly
uniform in size. The tree is
upright in growth and is one
of the thriftiest varieties
propagated.
B. W. Stone, Thomasville, Ga.
23
Pabst
This variety continues to
stand the test over a large
territory, and is one of the
standard varieties for com-
mercial orchards, being thrifty
and especially hardy. It does
not shed exceedingly dry
years, and it does not over-
bear and have off years like
some varieties.
The objections to the Pabst
are that it is not quite large
enough to be classed with the
very large nuts. The quality
of it, however, makes the per-
son who eats it want some
more Pabst.
Money Maker
The good points of the
Money Maker are that it is
more free from all diseases than any variety
which we grow. The next finest point it
has is its prolificness. It is also verj’’ easy
to crack out in unbroken halves, and when
cracked it is uniformly a bright yellow,
plump and attractive nut.
The two objections to the Money Maker
are that the shell is a little too thick to be
classed as a fancy nut, and it is a little
under size, and will have to be classed as
a medium nut. It grows in favor annually.
Mobile
Size medium to large; shell moderately
thin; quality fair; kernel uniformly bright
and attractive. It is very productive, and
even in the driest years the Mobile is break-
ing its limbs with fruit.
The objection to the Mobile is that quite
often the nuts fail to fill sufficiently well.
This being the case, they should not be of-
fered until after having been well fanned
to blow out the faulty ones, or run through
a centrifugal machine to select the plump
nuts from the faulty ones.
On acconut of the very prolific bearing
habits of the Mobile, it probably would be
a good plan to plant a portion of a grove
of this variety, with the ex-
pectation of having the nuts
shelled and selling the meats.
In this way the exceeding
prolificness of the tree will
make it profitable.
In the districts where they
have a close, compact, clay
soil, the nuts fill better than
in districts of loose, sandy
soils. The year 1915 was a
distinctively off year with the
Mobile.
Success
Size large to very large ;
shell moderately thin but very
tough; kernel usually plump
and rich; flavor very good.
It is not sufficiently weU
tested in all of the pecan dis-
tricts. Some of the young
trees which have been bearing
Money Maker.
26
The Pecan Business
in different districts, have not
yielded nuts well filled, but as
they grow older we feel con-
fident that this objection will
be eliminated. Test with a
few trees before planting very
heavily.
Van Deman
This variety at Charleston,
S. C., heads the list as the
most desirable pecan planted.
In many sections it is a very
desirable variety, being a very
rapid growing tree, and the
nuts exceedingly attractive in
appearance. It is a hardy va-
riety, and withstands the cold
better than most of the stand-
ard varieties.
The objections to the Van
Deman are that in some hu-
mid sections it often scabs
badly, and the crop does not run uniform
in size. Susceptible to rosette.
Teche
Size medium to small; shell of average
thickness ; kernel fairly plump quality me-
dium to poor; easily cracked. It is one of
the most productive of all pecans, bearing
a “good crop every year, and is, like the
Money Maker, comparatively free from all
diseases. This dry year has proved it to be
similar to the Frotscher; it has shedded a
large proportion of its crop, but not so much
as the Frotscher. It is one of the latest va-
rieties to ripen, and should not be planted
further north than Macon, Ga. Would say
go slow on Teche.
Best Varieties for Different
Sections
For North Carolina: Delmas, Stuart,
Schley, Money Maker and Pabst.
For Sowth Carolina: Schley, Stuart, Van
Deman, Delmas, Pabst, Money Maker and
Frotscher.
For Central Portions of Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi and Texas; Delmas, Schley,
Stuart, Success, Frotscher, Van Deman and
Pabst.
For Southern Georgia: Schley, Delmas,
Stuart, Success, Alley, Pabst, Van Deman
and Frotscher.
For North Florida: Schley, Delmas,
Money Maker, Alley, Stuart and Curtis.
For Southern Alabama, Mississippi and
Louisiana: Schley, Stuart, Success, Alley,
Pabst, Russell and Frotscher.
For Eastern Texas: Stuart, Schley, Del-
mas, Pabst, Van Deman, Curtis, Carman
and James.
For Texas, West of Austin: Halbert,
Texas Prolific, Oliver, San Saba, and Kin-
caid.
For Arizona: Alley, Delmas, Georgia
and Kincaid.
Will There Be Over
Production
So many good, thinking business men
have asked the question, ‘‘When will we
have over production in standard pecans?”
that we have decided to give this subject
some consideration. The question is also
applicable, “When will we have over pro-
duction of wheat; over production of corn;
over production of beef?” These three
products are all staple products, and are not
perishable.
Pecan culture, while it is the most prom-
ising new industry of the South at present,
when it becomes adjusted in the regular
avenue of trade, will be as standard a pro-
duct as the three mentioned. With the map
of the world before us, when we consider
what a small per cent of the South is well
adapted to the growing of standard pecans,
and when we consider that the present crop
of pecans of the whole United States would
supply the school children a nut lunch for
only one week, if it were distributed to all
the school children in the United States, it
begins to look as though it will be several
years before we will have a supply, much
B. W. Stone, Thomas ville, Ga.
27
less an over production. Then let us take
into consideration that the taxed, burdened
Orient, and Europe with staggering war tax,
will not soon grow pecans for export. For
these reasons we are inclined to think that
over production is not. soon to be.
As an actual fact, in the next forty years,
the population of the United States alone
will be 200,000,000 or more, and the demand
for such standard goods will grow faster
than the nuts will be produced.
Over production, if we have it at aU, will
be the result of congestion, and we will
never have it if we inaugurate a system of
co-operative distribution.
Consider the immense amount of impor-
tations of nuts into the United States com-
piled by Department of Statistics. The total
importation of nuts for the following years
were:
1899 $3,108,977
1900 3,489,699
1901 3,756,137
1902 4,214,676
1903 5,038,726
1904 5,473,306
1905 6,154,515
1906 7,228,607
1907 9,315,891
1908 9,563,742
1909 8,549,997
The following table gives in detail the different kinds of nuts and shows a rapid in-
crease in importations:
KIND
1910
pounds
1911
poimds
1912
pounds
1913
pounds
1914
pounds
-Almonds — ^not shelled
Clear shelled
Apricots and Peach Kernels
6,810,056
10,495,750
27,854
$1,298,970
3,762,654
12,260,636
13,551
$1,704,261
5,242,562
11,692,988
7,939
$2,012,203
2,363,860
12,655,056
18,769
$1,793,713
5,730,774
13,307,631
Cocoanuts in the shelL
Cocoanut meat broken or Copra
Not shredded, dessicated or
prepared
Dessicated, shredded, cut or
similarlv prepared
Cream and Brazil
Filberts — not shelled
Shelled
Marrons, crude
$2,133,416
20,830,538
5,985,308
461,496
10,026,961
1,413.391
10,270,398
8478
$6,907
38,081,984
6,661,850
277,679
10,084,987
2,332,606
9,968,879
$236
$5,744
64,505,787
5,396,465
21,601,008
8,375,860
1,368,835
14,S4-5,345
$206
$7,970
34,283,592
6,826,095
11,933,139
8,586,278
1,4.50,620
10,157.321
$342
$L872
45,437,155
10,297,554
20,423,497
10,992,992
1,643,507
Olive nuts, ground
Palm and Palm Nut Kernels
Peanuts or Ground Beans
T^n shelled
11,297,172
16,089.919
3,349,460
23,269,974
10,960,988
3.584,544
>12,775,196
11,055,823
7,821,405
2,333,037
21,146,116
11,244,054
2,962,663
$14^265,572
12,660,433
3,127,829
2,607,227
22,208,845
10,173,286
3,050,999
$15,626,484
12,660,612
7,823,173
1,803,434
16,363,046
10,093,622
3,600,056
. $13,508,307
SheUed
Pecans
27,077,158
Wahmts-^not sheUed
SheUed
AU other sheUed or unsheUed,
not specificaUy provided for..
Total Value Import
28,267,699
8,928,029
$19,727,924
Under this head of over production, it is gratifying to note that while the United States
grows at present a large quantity of nuts, still we only grow at home one-fourth of what
we use, and import three-fourths. We import three pounds of nuts to every one pound
grown at home. We have imported in the last eleven months just 61,000,000 pounds of
nuts — walnuts, filberts and almonds.
Van Buren, Ark., Sept. 9, 1915.
Dear Sir: I note with pleasure that the splendid lot of pecan trees shipped to me last
winter have all grown, and are satisfactory 4o the purchasers. The shipment sent on my
order by you to far away Utah, only suffered a loss of one tree, after being in transit almost
a week. No better trees than yours. Let me cite one instance: Husband and wife quar-
reled as to where a tree should be set and just threw it into the alley, where a kinsman
picked it up and set it, after taking the winter’s cold for two days. It is growing finely.
They wiU have to keep vour trees out of the ground if thev don’t want them to grow
W. C. Lea.
28
The Pecan Business
Possibilities of a Pecan
Grove
This whole booklet has been written just
as experience developed it in the field. Not
what might be done, but what has actually
been done. As to the possibilities of a pecan
grove, we would prefer to present a few ad-
ditional facts and let the reader draw his
own conclusions.
Please read again what we say on Age
of Bearing and Yield. Write the owners
and see if they will take $1,000 per acre for
those groves.
Mr. Paul P. McKeown of Concord, Fla.,
in the summer of 1913, sold a ten-year-old
grove of seventy acres for $25,000, and re-
served thirty acres for which he would not
accept an equal amount.
Mr. C. M. Barnwell of Baconton, Ga., sold
six hundred acres for $200,000, and only half
the grove was old enough to bear.
Col. C. A. Van Duzee, ex-president of the
National Nut Growers’ Association, in his
annual address, said: “My own best trees
are eight years of age, having returned more
money than the cost of the land, trees, care,
fertilizers and interest upon the investment.
I value them at ten times the total cost, but
I have many other trees that are not so good.
“Two weeks ago I helped to gether the
crop from a twenty-two year old pecan tree,
which will pay its owner eight per cent in-
terest upon a valuation of $2,000 this year.
On that basis it has increased in value over
$7.00 each month for the twenty-two years,
and is not through growing yet.
“The above are examples of the best trees,
but there is not a farmer in the entire nut
area that may not do as well or better, if he
will.”
We undertook to develop a grove so the
bodies of the trees would measure 12 inches
in diameter at end of eight years after set-
ting, and to accomplish this without one
shovelful of stable manure. At the end of
the seventh year the best tree in the grove
(a Money Maker) measured 11 inches in
diameter, and had yielded over 30 pounds of
nuts; at the end of the eighth year the
largest tree measured 39 inches in circum-
ference, and 41 inches the ninth year. We
do know that we can develop a grove 12
inches in diameter in eight years, can gather
a few nuts the fourth and fifth years, but
we do not know what the possibilities of a
grove would be when given intelligent and
intensive attention from before it is planted
to maturity. A pecan grove will respond
beautifully to this kind of attention, and
only to this kind. Hybridized and pedigreed
varieties of the future nuts might hold won-
derful improvements in store for us.
I count it a privilege to be one to help
launch such a promising new industry, espe-
cially when we consider the fact that in the
future heavier yields per acre will have to
be made and pecans fill this demand most
desirably.
We leave you to accept the opportunity
offered by improved pecans, the truest elixir
of life found by this scribe.
Pecan Developing
Companies
The question, “Is it safe to buy pecan
groves managed by regular pecan developing
companies?” is often asked. To this we
would say. Yes and No. Yes, if you buy
from the proper company after a thorough
investigation as to its ability to carry out
all the contracts which it agrees to. It is
just simply a business proposition, and when
the companies comply with business prin-
ciples, one is safe in engaging with them.
The first essential is to know that the land
titles are clear. Then investigate for adapt-
able soil. Acquaint yourself with the per-
sonnel of the company, especially the local
manager, and ascertain by any and all
available means if he has the practical
knowledge and ability to develop the grove.
These requirements, after all have been met,
we consider are worthy of your co-opera-
tion. If the company omits any of these
essential points, it is well to withhold your
co-operation.
A Texan can cross the line and swat a
Mexican, and thank you for the privilege;
but for Uncle Sam, with his mighty army,
to guard the border the cost is several thou-
sand dollars per month. This is an explana-
tion as to why large pecan developing com-
panies seem to be extravagant in their ex-
penditures. Some pecan corporations are
successful and some are unsuccessful. Just
as corporations engaged in every other line
of business in the United States — some are
successful and some are failures. Proper
motives and proper management are the
features that determine which it shall be.
B. W. Stone, Thomasmlle, Ga.
29
Pecan Trees on Streets
Some people and some cities advocate the
planting of pecan trees on the streets, argu-
ing that they will get both utility and
beauty from the tree. This sounds prac-
tical, but in reality we consider pecan trees
on the streets objectionable for the reason
that when the trees begin to bear the pass-
ing public claim the crops. T^Tiat they can-
not conveniently gather, they will destroy
in some way. They throw stones and climb
fences till it is often a nuisance to the parties
who are living close to the streets. We hap-
I>en to know that in Savannah, for the above
mentioned reason, the council ordered cut
down some pecan trees two feet in diameter.
Care of Trees on Arrival
After long experience we find we cannot
neglect the trees at any time. We have been,
on the average, forty months caring for these
trees, and would insist that the purchaser
neglect them not one minute for anything.
If received in freezing weather place in a
cellar, or cover entirely the whole package
in wet grass, straw or such material, and
wait for a warmer day.
If not ready to plant at once, trench the
trees in moist soH thinly, leaning them to-
wards the south. If the roots are dry, or if
the branches are at all shriveled, dig a
trench, untie the trees and place them in it,
working in fine soil among the roots and
above them for several inches, saturate with
water and cover with more soil. They will
become plump in a very few days, and
should be planted just as soon as possible.
Do not expose the tree roots to either sun or
wind. Keep them damp in a barrel or wet
sack.
Absolutely No Agents
Why pay an agent as much for his ser-
vices as the trees cost? Be your own agent
and send direct to the nursery, as he does,
and save his profits.
Business Man, do you need trees — A No. 1
trees, carefully grown? Order direct from
headquarters and pK>cket the fruit tree
agent's profit. Read the letters from our
customers. They are men of experience with
our trees and dealings and know where to
get full value for money sent. Have you
bought trees of agents? Did you pay high
prices and then get deceived? Could you
find agent afterwards to get him to make
trees good? Now we earnestly ask you to
give us a trial. We sell at about one-half
the agent’s price. We support no middle
man. We guarantee our trees to be true to
name, and you can find us, for we have a
regular place of business, and have a repu-
tation to maintain. Can you find any local-
ity that has not been misrepresented by
agents ? Where our trees are the best known
is where they are most appreciated.
Announcement
“The Pecan Business” is written for those
who are interested in pecan growing and for
those who desire to become interested in a
safe and profitable business.
The industry is interesting, healthful,
profitable and unlimited. It has drawbacks,
but they are necessary to ward off the ten-
derfoot.
We invite you to come to see our groves
and nurseries, and kindly invite your atten-
tion to our way of doing business without
agents.
Write Us
When you receive your trees we want you
to write us. W'^hen the trees grow we want
you to write us. When the trees bear we
want you to write us. If any disease or
insect appears, we want you to write us so
we can aid you. We take all the leading
agricultural and horticultural papers and
keep abreast with progressive horticulture.
We study horticulture, we delight in horti-
cultural works and love to correspond with
our customers on horticulture. We want our
customers to \^Tite us of every new fruit
and pecan or other nut trees they know of.
Natural Advantages
The natural advantages of our soil being
a happy combination of sand and clay, to-
gether with our climate and location, give us
facilities for supplying trees of the finest
quality and for the lowest price. Hence the
secret by which we give our customers entire
satisfaction.
30
The Pecan Business
REFERENCES
Citizens Banking and Trust Company ,
First National Bank Bank of Thomasville
Peoples Savings Bank, all of Thomasville, Ga.
And Our Customers Everywhere.
The latch-stfing hangs on the outside of the gate to visitors,
Ask for a day off and come to see our nurseries and groves*
TESTIMONIALS
Stockton, Ala.
Mr. B. W. Stone, Thomasville, Ga.
Dear Sir: “The Pecan Business” dropped
into my hands last night and Pve read every
line of it. I most heartily congratulate you
on your production. As far as it goes, it is
the most practical and reliable guide I know
of; and Pve hunted for and studied all the
pecan literature I could get my hands on
for 18 years. Every page shows a close,
careful, practical and impartial observer
who has labored for years to acquire facts
and truths bearing on pecan horticulture to
date. R. M. Hodgson, M. D.
Lakeland, Fla., Sept. 2, 1915.
Mr. B. W. Stone, Thomasville, Ga.
My Dear Sir: I am very glad to inform
you that the pecan trees I bought from you
nine years ago have done very well indeed,
and I now have a grove of 30 acres in Co-
lumbia County, Fla., that can not be pur-
chased for any man’s $30,000. Will be glad
to have any literature you can send me on
the pecans. Wishing you continued success,
I am. Yours very truly,
C. C. Wilson, M. D.
Denison, Texas, Sept. 4, 1916.
B. W. Stone, Thomasville, Ga.
Dear Sir: The copy of “Pecan Business”
came to hand today, and it was so inter-
esting that I read most of it before I laid
it down although I had important letters
on my desk needing attention. If it were
not for the business advertisement of your
firm in the book, I would be willing to buy
a thousand copies to distribute among our
customers, so that they will be benefited by
the valuable information contained therein.
Yours truly. Will B. Munson.
Hackleburg, Ala., Oct. 5, 1916.
Dear Sir: The trees I bought of you gave
entire satisfaction. I bought of you last
spring about 300 trees. Please mail me your
“Pecan Business” book; the last one was
all I could have wished for; I do not see
how you could improve on it much. It is
plain facts boiled down that just suits the
busy man. A glance and you have the in-
formation you want. Respectfully,
W. W. Wates.
Jul^ 31, 1916.
My Dear Sir: I thank you for the in-
quiry, regarding my pecan trees; and beg
to report that every one of them appears
to be in a thrifty, growing condition. There
was one, that for quite a while did not put
out new shoots, and while it appeared to
still be living, I was somewhat bothered.
I called my negro and said to him, “Now
here is the only one of these trees that I
personally superintended the planting of
and gave you specific instructions regarding
the remainder. What did you do to those
other trees to make them sprout out, and
what is the matter with this one that it
don’t come on?”
He showed his evident satisfaction, but
candidly said, “Boss, don’t you remember
this tree had the worst roots of any of
them? It is going to come on alright.” We
waited a while longer and the tree has now
made a good showing, nearly as good as
the others. I am well pleased with the
whole lot and now feel that another season
will show us a most satisfactory growth.
Several of my friends have been talking to
me and hope to he able to send you some
orders for spring planting.
Again thanking you, I am, with best
wishes, Yours very truly,
Sanford Duncan.
Chipley, Ga., Sept. 8, 1915.
Dear Mr. Stone: I am more than pleased
with the trees I bought from you last spring.
They were really better than you represent-
ed them. Out of about one thousand I
bought from you practically none died, not
more than twenty. Some have grown at
least two feet this year. Wishing you great
success. J. W. Bryant.
Orangeburg, S. C., Sept. 1, 1915.
Dear Sir: The pecan trees I purchased
from you are sure fine. The Mobile and
Stuart bore fine last year and I sold the nuts
at a fancy price. I don’t think I ever saw
as many pecans on young trees. They were
loaded down, four and five to the bunch.
The young pecan trees I bought of you look
fine. The only thing I regret is I didn’t pur-
chase enough of them. J. P. Avinger.
B. W. Stone, Thomasville, Ga.
31
Dallas, Texas.
Mr. B. W. Stone,
Dear Mr. Stone: The pecan trees bought
of you and transplanted in January, 1907,
have more than met expectations. They
were fine, weU-grown trees with splendid
root systems when received, and with the
care and cultivation given, have made good.
Most of them began to bear in three years
from transplanting and are all bearing now.
Some of them have proved to be of an espe-
cially good strain of named varieties. A
considerable number of native trees in the
neighborhood have been budded from them.
These are also bearing and the owners are
proud of them. Age considered, they are
the largest and most fruitful pecan trees I
know of and the amount paid for them mul-
tiplied by one hundred would not take them
from my grounds. Chas. L. Edwards.
Later. Dallas, Texas, Sept. 11, 1916.
Dear Bro. Stone: I can make good use
of at least a dozen of your booklets on ‘‘The
Pecan Business.” People who visit me and
now and then a correspondent, inquire for
practical literature on pecans. The first
copy you sent me was given away long ago.
The one that came- last week was read with
profit and will doubtless soon go out on a
missionary tour. IPs a good book that bears
re-reading with interest. Yours meets that
test of merit. Very truly,
Chas. L. Edwards.
Jennings, La,, June 6, 1916.
Dear Sir: I wish to report on the pecan
trees you shipped me this spring. Everj'
one of the sixty is growing fine. I set out
the seventy-five which you shipped to J. M.
Pratt and they are all growing and doing
fine. I will say that I never saw pecan trees
with such fine lateral roots as the ones you
shipped to me and Mr. Pratt. I have about
thirty-five pecan seedlings which are three
years old and I would like to get thirty-five
Stuart buds. If you can furnish them please
let me know at what price you can send
them by prepaid parcel post. Yours truly,
R. E. Berger.
Boston, Mass.
B. "W Stone, Thomasville, Ga.
Dear Mr. Stone: I have 2,500 trees weU
planted in dynamited holes, which is all we
can give the best care to at present. In ref-
erence to those we bought of you would say
that excepting a verj’ small per cent, all of
them lived and are today making an un-
usually vigorous gro'W'th. As to their being
true to name, that is why I traded on your
long experience and reputation for honesty,
which of all things is worth paying for in
buj-ing trees, and I feel well insured against
disappointment. Very truly,
Edw. C. Hood.
Winona, Miss., August 30, 1915.
Dear Mr. Stone: I want to congratulate
you on the booklet, “The Pecan Business.”
It is just what a pecan grower needs. I
have been buying fruit trees of all kinds
from you ever since you first began the
business. I cannot recall a single tree of
any kind that failed to live. I have some
trees bearing the third year.
J. T. Buckley.
Rincon, Ga., Sept. T, 1915.
Dear Sir: The 50 pecan trees I ordered
from you last spring came to hand in per-
fect condition. They could not have been
in better condition if I had pulled each tree
by hand the morning they arriyed. They
were so far ahead of the trees the agents
charge 81.50 for that they will not talk to
me about them. All 50 have made a good
start to grow and at this date are looking
fine. I followed your instructions in plant-
ing and mulching. J, B. Kessler.
Berkeley, Calif., September 7, 1916.
My Dear Mr. Stone:
The trees which were purchased from you
last winter are practically aU growing in
fine shape at the t'niversity Farm at Davis.
Just now we are anxious to obtain scions
for topworking some old trees, and would
like to have you quote us a figure at which
you can supply us with 20 grafting scions
of each of the following varieties: Van
Deman, Schley, Pabst, Money Maker, and
Success. Thanking you in advance, and
with very best wishes, I am as ever.
Very sincerely yours, R. H. Taylor,
Assistant Professor of Pomology,
L'niversity of California.
Sylvania, Ga., Sept. 30, 1915.
My Dear Sir: I very much appreciate
your effort to have such good trees to place
on the market as you have been furnishing
me for a number of years. I have always
found you to be fair and square. I have
studied your booklet carefully and profit-
ably and would advise every one wanting
trees to get your booklet and read it if they
wish to be successful in the industry.
W. J. Waters.
Glenmora, La.
Dear Sir; The pecan trees I bought from
you have made fine gro-w-th and many of
them are bearing fine crops of nuts. Every
tree that is bearing is producing nuts true
to name, size and flavor as described in your
booklet. My grove of twenty acres is situ-
ated within the corporate limits of town and
is a source of admiration not only for my-
self and family, but for my friends and
neighbors who see it dadv.
J. T.' Phillips, M. D.
32
The Pecan Business
Index
Page
Absolutely No Agents 29
Actual Pecan Yields 17-18
Age of Bearing 17
Announcement 29
Best Location 6
Best Soils for Pecans 6-7
Best Pecan Crackers 20
Best Varieties for Different Sections 26
Best Cultivation for Pecan Grove 10-11-12
Care of Trees on Arrival 29
Cost of Groves 14
Distance to Plant ! 8
Digging the Holes 8
Don’t Plant Pecan Seedlings 22
Fertilizers 10
Food Value of Nuts Compared 21-22
Gathering, Drying, Polishing and Grading 18
Growing a Pecan Tree 13
Guarantee 4
Hillside Groves 9
How to Top-Work Large Trees 14-15
In a Nutshell 1
Marketing 19-20
Mulching and Staking 9-10
Natural Advantages 29
Orchard Management 12
Pecans on Hickory 16
Pecans and Alfalfa 12-13
Pecan Diseases 16
Pecan Trees on Streets 29
Pecan Developing Companies 26
Pecan Analysis and Food Value 20
Planting the Tree 9
Preparation 7
Possibilities of a Pecan Grove 28
Pruning 14
References and Testimonials 30-31
The Future Marketing of Pecans 22
The Pecan 6
Varieties, Giving all the Bad as well as the Good Points 22-23
Stuart 23
Frotscher 23-24
Schley 24
Delmas 24
Pabst : 25
Money Maker 25
Mobile : 25
Success 25-26
Van Deman 26
Teche 26
What Fruits to Grow in a Pecan Grove 17
What Fruit Not to Grow in a Pecan Grove 17
Will There Be Over Production? 26
Write Us 29
THOMASVILLE
Thomasville, a beautiful, historical and attractive little modern city of 7,000 inhabi-
tants, lies in the southwestern part of the state, on ‘‘The Dixie Highway,” fourteen miles
from the border line of Florida. Is in the center of the new industry* — the Paper Shell
Pecan industry of the South — shown by map contained in Bulletin No. 251, issued by the
United States Department of Agriculture.
There are more paper shell pecan trees planted within seventy-five miles of Thomas-
ville than in' any other one territory of the United States.
Among the chief attractions of Thomasville are the handsome estates owned by Col.
O. H. Payne, J. H. Wade, M. H. Hanna, John F. Archibold and others. They have spared
neither means nor talent in establishing these elegant homes. You would be well repaid
for traveling several hundred miles to see them.
Thomasville is well equipped with five banks, five hotels, a public library, a modern
hospital, six wholesale grocery stores, has its own electric light plant and water works,
seven factories, seven evangelical churches, and a scant number of physicians — being noted
all over the United States as a health resort. It is laid out with wide streets which are
kept in excellent condition.
IT IS A CITY OF ROSES
IT IS A CITY OF WISTARIA
IT IS A CITY OF OAKS
The town is surrounded by one of the best agricultural sections in the state. One of
its main attractions is a system of seven hundred miles of graded roads through a splendid
farming territory, furnishing unsurpassed scenery of trees and beautiful landscapes. Has
recently built a 840,000 depot, a 860,000 school building, and a 850,000 government postoffice
building. The greatest attraction to Thomasville is the hospitable people who make up
its citizenry. Once you know them you always love them.
Young Pecan Grove For Sale
In addition to my home place, I have been developing some choice pecan groves, just
beginning to bear, on strong soil, using best varieties and all located on main thorough-
fares. These groves are near Thomasville in a thrifty condition, and are offered at quite
reasonable prices.
Kindly write me about how many acres you want. It will be a pleasure to show you
these groves.
Press of The Fruit-Grower, St. Joseph. Mo.
Check for $911.33 received for one load of nuts.
What are the possibilities of a pecan grove.?
c
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