Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1905 — GROW PECANS IN TEXAS. [ARTICLE]

GROW PECANS IN TEXAS.

Expert Says the Land Is Admirably Adapted to Culture. The development of the pecan Industry in west Texas is ■« rge.l by many familiar with the grea- returns that can be had from the plan.ing of the nut, says the St. Louis To ■;-Dispatch. The tree will grow ’with very little cultivation anti will licar for many years, and experts- say -ttei-t 7 no crop yields a better return, especial:;’ as the land could be utilized for other crops during the time the pecans were coming to maturity. U. A. Halbert, an expert on pecan culture, says: “As a rough estimate we would say that the area of land in Texas on which the pecan will thrive without crowding is 20,000,000 acres. This vast area will grow half a billion of trees. At a low estimate of $5 per tree as an annual income the total annual value would be $2,500,000,000. This, in pounds, would be 50,000,000,000, or 1,250,000 carloads—enough to supply the world and In a few years to absorb Its wealth. This estimate is made upon a basis of the low average rate in price and bearing qualities of the Texas wild pecan. Suppose this area was planted in the improved soft-shell varieties and the ruling price obtained for them, these figures would be greatly augmented. “What are the actual facts, approximately, of the area covered by the wild pecans in Toxas? We would estimate it at about 500 square miles, or 32,000 acres. From this area are gathered and shipped the best bearing years, In carload lots, about 700 cars, or 3Q000,000 pounds. The quality shipped by express and. consumed at home by man and beast will make 10,000,000 pounds. This quantity at 5 cents a pound should be worth to the State $2,000,000. .But prices are generally low on these bumper crops, and perhaps it actually brings only $1,000,000 to th 6 State. In my opinion nothing could be cultivated more profitably.”