t understand why you all seem to have so
much trouble propagating nut trees. It is just as easy to propagate
pecans and walnuts--not quite as easy--as apples, but then it isn't too
difficult. I think it is the attitude and frame of mind in which you go
about it.

Thank you very much, I appreciate the time.

* * * * *

President Davidson: Thank you. Now, then, Mr. Magill of the University
of Kentucky, will give us "A Planned Program for Improving the Pecan
Industry in Southwestern Kentucky."

A Pecan Improvement Program for Southwestern Kentucky

W. W. MAGILL, Extension Horticulturist, University of Kentucky

The production and marketing of seedling pecans in extreme southwestern
Kentucky has been of major importance for many years.

This industry naturally extends into northwestern Tennessee and parts of
Missouri directly across the state line in the Mississippi River bottom.
It might be said that this industry was developed by nature, because in
the Mississippi River bottoms we find seedling pecan trees which
undoubtedly are more than 100 years old. Some native seedling pecan
trees in this area are five feet or more in diameter; some have a spread
of branches covering a radius of 60 feet, and are more than 100 feet in
height.

This industry took on considerable momentum about seven years ago when a
group of local business men at Hickman, the county seat of Fulton
County, developed a cracking plant known as the Roper Pecan Company.
They now have thirty modern cracking machines, with sorting belts,
grading machines, and other complete equipment, so that they are in a
position to receive and process a large tonnage of native seedling
pecans, merchandise the kernels and other by-products and, therefore,
are able to purchase a large quantity of seedling nuts and operate their
plant for eight months each year. Not having sufficient local nuts
("Kentucky Kernels") to take care of their business, they also buy not
only Kentucky nuts but also from Tennessee, Missouri, Illinois, and
Arkansas.

+Young Native Trees Top-Grafted+

Realizing that this industry is here to stay and that many farmers of
that district have many young seedling pecans growing on their farms,
the Kentucky Agricultural Extension Service, cooperating with some of
the leading farmers of the district, has launched a program of
top-working these native seedling pecans with some of the known,
improved varietie