The Pecan and its Culture

David Hume · en
_Time._ The best time to plant pecan trees is during the months
     of December, January and February. Planting should not be
     delayed until late in spring, as the percentage of loss will be
     very materially increased. Preference must be given to the
     earlier portion of the planting season, as the wounds on the
     roots will have had time to callous over, and the ground will
     be firmly packed about the roots by the winter rains. Then,
     with the opening of the growing season in spring, the trees
     will be ready to make a good, vigorous start.

     _Distance Apart._ The distance apart at which the pecan trees
     should be set must depend upon the character of the soil and
     the amount of fertility and moisture it contains. If planted
     too close, the trees may become their own worst enemies. Too
     close planting will not prove satisfactory. It is doubtful
     whether the trees should ever be planted closer than forty feet
     apart even on light lands, while on heavier soils this distance
     should be increased to sixty, seventy-five or eighty feet.

     TABLE OF DISTANCES

       DISTANCE.           NO. OF TREES         NO. OF TREES
                         Rectangular System.    Hexagonal System.
      40 x 40 feet.               27               31
      40 x 50  "                  21
      40 x 60  "                  18
      50 x 50  "                  17               19
      50 x 60  "                  14
      60 x 60  "                  12               13
      60 x 70  "                  10
      70 x 70  "                   8                9
      80 x 80  "                   6
     100 x 100 "                   4

     To find the number of trees that can be set on an acre for any
     distance, not given in the above table, multiply the distance
     apart in feet together and divide the product into 43,560, the
     number of square feet in an acre. The result will be the number
     of trees which can be put on an acre of ground.


PLANTING SYSTEMS.

For setting orchards a number of different systems may be used, but the
two best adapted to the pecan orchard, are the square or rectangular and
the hexagonal or septuple. If mixed plantings, such as pecans and
peaches, are to be made, then the quincunx system should be used and a
peach tree set in the center of the square or rectangle formed by every
four pecan trees.

     _Square or Rectangular System._ In this system is included only
     the methods of setting trees in rectangles, either square or
     oblong. It is by far the most commonly used of all the systems,
     and the ease with which a field can be laid off in rectangles,
     is greatly in its favor.