WHAT VARIETIES TO PLANT.
What varieties shall I plant? An easy question to ask--a difficult one
to answer; for, though the one attempting a reply may know something of
varieties, their size, quality and prolificness, there is always an
unknown personal equation entering into the problem.
Every variety of importance has its advocates. If a man has a preference
for a certain variety, and is interested in it, let him plant that
variety largely. He will be likely to give it better care and attention
than he will a variety for which he has no particular liking or for one
which he may regard even with disfavor.
The question of adaptation of varieties to certain localities is an
extremely important one. A variety which may do well in a certain state
or region, may not succeed in another; and on the other hand, some
varieties may be grown almost anywhere. To answer questions of this
sort, one must have an intimate knowledge of varieties in their local
adaptations.
Two of the worst faults which a variety may have are partial barrenness
or shy bearing and poor filling quality. In this last respect the worst
sinners are the larger varieties, and in point of filling quality,
medium and small-sized varieties will, in nearly all cases, be found to
have the greatest range of adaptability. The larger varieties are more
likely to succeed on rich lands where the rainfall, particularly during
the summer months, is great.
Again, all varieties are not equally hardy, and some may not ripen their
wood and fruit early enough in autumn to avoid late killing frosts. Such
varieties should not be selected for planting in sections where there is
danger of such injury, viz: principally along the more northerly
outskirts of the pecan area. In such regions, early varieties should be
planted, for early ripening of fruit and wood usually go together in the
pecan.
Many varieties are late in coming into bearing; others begin to bear
while quite young. This difference in precocity is worthy of
consideration. Other things being equal, those varieties which begin to
bear early and are prolific, should by all means be given the
preference.
In addition to setting out an orchard of what he believes to be the best
varieties for his section, or which experience has taught to be the
best, the grower should, if he is thoroughly interested in his work,
plant a tree or two of a number of other different kinds to test their
merits and to learn something of their characteristics.
VARIETIES RECOMMENDED FOR DIFFERENT SECTIONS.
The following recommendations have been made by growers and others in
different parts of the South. These may be changed with the knowledge
which time alone will bring; but they represent the best, most accurate
and up-to-date knowledge which can be given at this time:
VIRGINIA, NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA.--In these States the
different named varieties have not been grown and fruited long
enough to warrant any very strong recommendations, Pabst,
Stuart and Jewett have been planted in southeastern North
Carolina and have succeeded, but on the whole, for the entire
region of these three States, the most satisfactory and staple
progress in pecan culture will probably come from the
introduction of local varieties of merit.
GEORGIA.--Dr. J. F. Wilson, Secretary National Nut Growers'
Association, Poulan, Ga., has selected his varieties for that
section as follows: Stuart, Schley, Van Deman, Georgia and
Frotscher.
Herbert C. White, horticulturist, G. M. Bacon Pecan Co.,
DeWitt, Ga., says that Georgia and Stuart are the best of the
varieties thus far tested.
J. B. Wight, Cairo, Ga., believes in planting Frotscher
principally in his section.
FLORIDA.--Prof. H. K. Miller, Monticello, Fla., believes in
planting Schley, Dewey, Louisiana, Frotscher, Stuart, Russell,
Pabst, Van Deman and Sweetmeat.
James A. Bear, Palatka, Fla., reports that Frotscher, Stuart,
Van Deman, Curtis and Money-maker are doing well for young
trees, while Rome and Centennial have not proved satisfactory.
Dr. J. B. Curtis, Orange Heights, Fla., recommends Curtis,
Frotscher and Van Deman, these having proved most fruitful in
his orchard.
J. H. Girardeau, Monticello, Fla., regards Van Deman,
Frotscher, Pabst, Clarke and Schley as good varieties.
S. H. Graves, Gainesville, Fla., says: "Curtis, Stuart, Van
Deman, Dalzell, Louisiana, Bolton and Frotscher are adapted
here, and have proven good fruiters. From study and observation
I would supplement this list with James, Money-maker, Success,
Russell, Robson and Schley."
J. F. Jones, Monticello, Fla., recommends Stuart, Van Deman,
Frotscher and Schley, emphasizing the first as a commercial
variety, and the last-named as an excellent variety for the
"Fancy" trade.
ALABAMA.--Prof. R. S. McIntosh, Auburn, Ala., believes Stuart,
Van Deman, Pabst, Centennial and Schley to be good varieties
for Alabama.
MISSISSIPPI.--Theo. Bechtel, Ocean Springs, Miss., says: "My
selection at present for this section would be in the order
named--Success, Stuart, Pabst, Frotscher, Russell and Van
Deman."
Chas. E. Pabst, Ocean Springs, Miss., recommends Stuart, Pabst,
Russell, Success, Van Deman and Rome.
Stuart Pecan Co., Ocean Springs, Miss., recommends Stuart, Van
Deman and Russell.
Prof. H. E. Van Deman recommends Stuart, Van Deman, Money-maker
and Pabst for the Lower Mississippi Valley.
LOUISIANA.--S. H. James, Mound, La., has found Money-maker,
Stuart, Van Deman and Pabst, in the order named, best for his
section. He says that Money-maker is extremely hardy, having
withstood 20° below zero in Illinois, without injury.
Wm. Nelson, New Orleans, La., strongly recommends Frotscher and
Centennial for his section.
B. M. Young, Morgan City, La., is planting Stuart, Russell and
Young for commercial orchard.
TEXAS.--E. E. Risien, San Saba, Tex., says that San Saba is
more in demand than any other variety he has. It succeeds well
in his section. He recommends as well, Texas Prolific,
Colorado, Kincaid, Atwater, Concho and others.
E. W. Kirkpatrick, McKinney, Tex., President National
Nurserymen's Association, regards Stuart, Russell, Pabst and
Money-maker as valuable for his section. Good results have been
secured with Hollis and Wolford.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS.
From careful observations, we believe that a list of varieties
comprising Stuart, Georgia, Money-maker, Pabst, Success, Frotscher, Van
Deman and Russell of the larger sorts will be found to contain varieties
which will prove satisfactory in most locations. To these we must add
Schley, San Saba, Curtis and a number of other medium-sized or small
varieties of unsurpassed quality.
When about to plant in a given region, study the local conditions, visit
the local trees or orchards, and upon these a conclusion may be based
which is not likely to lead the prospective planter into very great
error.