Plenty
of Nuts
A giuirled «>l«l tree in
Charles O. Robinson's
yard. Elizabeth City, is
responsible for (lie many
I ho usa nils of other peean
trees that now abound in
the Albemarle seetion.
By
JOHN C. EH. II EH. SON. Jr.
PERHAPS none of tin- approxi¬
mately one hundred workers now
engaged in harvesting the pecan
crops of Camden and Pasquotank
counties realize that they owe their
jobs to a single stately tree that stands
in the yard of the old Robinson home
on Elizabeth City's East Main Street.
Yet fully half of the approximately
12,000 trees that make up the ]>oonn
groves of the two counties, are the
direct offspring of that patriarch, as
are many of the city’s shade trees.
It was in 1006 that Charles 0.
Robinson, yet in his teens, liogan to
carry out an idea — conceived no doubt
as he climbed among the branches of
the tree in his father’s yard — and
established the first commercial pecan
culture in the Alliemnrle Section.
Nuts from the old tree were planted1
on a tract of land just across the
river in Camden County. As the
seedlings grew, they were crossed by
grafting with the best producing
strains, and transplanted, until 750
trees were aligned in precise rows over
the length and breadth of the fifty-
acre tract.
Although now the section's leading
textile manufacturer and banker, Mr.
Robinson's enthusiasm for his first
venture has never flagged. Always
using the nuts of the original tree to
grow his seedlings, he has expanded
his groves throughout the two counties
until they number 6,000 trees, while
the groves of those who have followed
his example are estimated to aggregate
about the same number.
Extensive experiments in grafting
have improved the strain, while spray¬
ing for insect control and planting
Above — The original Robinson pecan
grove on Route 27, near Camden
Courthouse. A younger companion
grove on the opposite side of tho
highway extends down to the Pas¬
quotank River.
Right— Old pecan tree in the yard
of the Robinson home site in Eliza¬
beth City — progenitor of the com¬
mercial pecan groves of Camden and
Pasquotank counties. Just when and
by whom it was planted is not known.
cover crops between the trees, have
been practiced to ensure top produc¬
tion. The harvest this year, from the
Robinson groves alone, is expected
to reach 50,000 pounds, the second
largest in their history.
The harvest is now being completed,
the nuts being graded and shipped to
jobbers in the Norfolk, Haiti more.
Richmond area for distribution for
the Christmas trade. The nuts com¬
mand Id <2 cents a pound this year.
The production of pecans through¬
out the Albemarle section has shown
a steady increase and those who have
gone into this business have found it
to Ik* profitable. North Carolina
pecans are now being ship|ied to all
parts of the country, and the demand
for them is usually very good.
It is estimated that throughout the
entire state there are now more than
three times as many trees ns there
were five years ago. As you drive
along the highways, you frequently
SCO large and beautiful groves of
these trees, and you also see new ones
being put out.
Becoynition Is Baitl
To Charlotte Banker
R. Emmett Kerr, vice-president of
the American Trust Company, has
been named by the American Rank¬
ers Association ns a member from
North Carolina to serve on the execu¬
tive council of this national Iwdv.
Mr. Kerr’s association for several
years with the American Trust Com¬
pany has brought him into intimate
contact with a large sector of the
business, industrial and financial so¬
ciety of the Carolina». The recog¬
nition of his capacity and popularity
by i he American Rankers Association
will he pleasing both to hi> personal
and professional friends throughout
the South.
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