Part 11 (1/2)

Too often but slight attention is given to this important piece of work.

There is too frequently a disposition on the part of the person setting trees of any kind to do the work as rapidly as possible without consideration for the future welfare of the trees. Few realize that time spent in careful, intelligent preparation of the soil and in setting the trees is time well spent, and well paid for in the after development of trunk and branch. Better a month spent in preparing the future home of the young tree, than years of its life spent in an unequal struggle for existence. More than that, the tree may die outright, and a year must elapse before it can be replaced. It is generally stated that the pecan is a slow grower, and yet I have seen trees from twelve to fourteen years old which measured from thirty-five to fifty-seven inches in circ.u.mference at the base, while under less favorable circ.u.mstances others stood still for a period of six or seven years, or until they had acc.u.mulated sufficient energy to overcome the untoward conditions of their environments.

_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.

The rows of trees intersect each other at right angles, and cultivation may be carried on conveniently either crosswise or lengthwise of the orchard. The planter has the choice of placing the trees the same distance apart both ways, or of planting them closer together in the rows than the distance between the rows.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 30. Rectangular Planting System.]

It has been argued that s.p.a.ce is not equally divided among the trees, and while this is apparently true, yet, on the other hand, the roots of pecan trees, in most cases, penetrate and permeate all the s.p.a.ce allowed in ordinary distances. The roots will certainly secure all the food and moisture in the top two or three feet of soil.

When trees are to be planted by this system, the stakes must be set so as to be exactly in line, whether viewed from the end or from the side of the field.

_Hexagonal, Septuple or Equilateral Triangle System._ By this system, six trees are set equidistant from a seventh placed in the center. The basis of the system is not the square, but the circle, since the radius of the circle is approximately equal to one-sixth of the circ.u.mference of the circle. The name septuple, sometimes applied to this system, refers to the fact that the number of trees in each group-unit is seven.

Equilateral triangle system refers to the planting of the trees in equilateral triangles, but is identical with the hexagonal or septuple.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 31. Hexagonal Planting System.]

It is the only system whereby each tree is placed equally distant from each of its adjoining neighbors, and the only system which equally divides the s.p.a.ce among the trees. By this method about fifteen per cent. more trees can be set per acre than by the rectangular.

For permanent plantings, at regular distances, this system and the rectangular should be recommended before other systems.

LAYING OUT BEFORE PLANTING.

Level and smooth the ground, harrow and pulverize thoroughly, then proceed to stake the ground off, placing a stake for every tree.

_Laying Out Squares or Rectangles with the Plow._ If a good plowman can be secured, very satisfactory work can be done with the plow. In some cases a man can be found who needs nothing in the way of a guide, except two or three stakes. But with a sufficient number of stakes and a marker attached to the plow, good results can be secured by almost any plowman.

Furrows should be run both lengthwise and crosswise of the field, their intersections marking the place where the trees are to stand. At each one set a stake.

It is essential that a true, square corner should be secured.

This may be done by sighting with an ordinary carpenter's square set upon three posts.

_Laying Out in Rectangles with a Wire._ A wire, long enough to reach down one side of the field, should be provided. Stretch this straight out between two posts and mark off the distance which the trees are to stand apart, upon it. At each point marked, firmly twist a piece of small wire about the larger one. These should then be soldered in place. It will not do to have them s.h.i.+ft. This wire may be rolled upon a roller when not in use.