74 



MAINE AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. 



Hickory-nut. 



The hickory-nut best known to our market is the fruit of the 

 shag-bark hickory, Hicoria ovata Britton. Like the other hick- 

 ories, it is a native of America. It has a wide range, being found 

 from southern Maine, west to Minnesota, and south to Texas 

 and Florida. It is said to reach its best development west of 

 the Alleghanies. 



The quality of the nut is exceedingly variable, both as to the 

 flavor of the kernel and the readiness with which the shell can 

 be removed. The better varieties are highly esteemed and by 

 many are considered the best of our American nuts, for delicacy 

 of flavor comparing not unfavorably with the English walnut. 

 The price is as variable as the quality, ranging, at the place and 

 time of harvest, from 20 cents to $3.00 per bushel. 



COMPOSITION OF THE HICKORY-NUT. 















m 













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. 











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4^ ^ 



6 





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"3 5'S 



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is 



4H 









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s 



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ai 3 



^ 



^ 





cS 



s 









iJc 



« 



Ph 



fo 



Ho 



<, 



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^Edible portion 



6171 





3.7 



15.4 



67.4 



11.4 



2.1 



3,495 





6171 



62.2 



1.4 



5.8 



25.5 



4.3 



.8 



1,321 







Pecan. {Hicoria pecan). 



The pecan is also a native of America, but is far less widely 

 distributed than the species last described {Hicoria ovata), being 

 found from Indiana to Iowa on the north to Tennessee and 

 Texas on the south. It thrives best in the rich, moist soils along 

 the river banks. Although some of the largest and best pecans 

 are grown in Louisiana, a large proportion of those placed upon 

 the market are from Texas, where its culture has attained consid- 

 erable importance. 



The flavor of the pecan makes it a desirable nut, but it owes 

 much of its popularity to the thinness of its shell and the conse- 

 quent ease with which it may be removed. These qualities 

 adapt it especially to dessert purposes. Large quantities of this 

 nut are used by confectioners, the shelled meats in halves selling 

 at 30 to 40 cents per pound. 



