Preface and Explanation vii 



The term ^ ^ paper-sheir ' is most commonly used for im- 

 proved or commercial varieties of pecans. The two rather 

 broad divisions of pecans are ^^paper-shell/' meaning the im- 

 proved varieties, and ''seedling/' including the large supply 

 of nuts in the trade coming mostly from native seedling trees. 



The original intent of the term ' ' paper-sheir ' was to signify 

 a variety of pecans having a very thin shell, as the Schley or 

 the Frotscher. If the original meaning was adhered to, such 

 commercial varieties as the Stuart, Pabst, and Mone;^Tnaker, 

 which have rather thick shells, could not be included. Quality, 

 however, is as important as thinness of shell, and these, to- 

 gether with very thin-shelled varieties, as the Schley, Frot- 

 scher, San Saba, and Haven, are called ''paper-sheir' pecans. 

 The term is really a misnomer, since it applies to commercial 

 value rather than to thinness of shell. It would seem advisable 

 that growers and nurserymen, in dealing with their trade, 

 specify varieties rather than employ the term ''paper-shell.'' 

 As a result the general public, through the regular channels of 

 trade, would be compelled to standardize pecans in some 

 definite way. 



The Authors. 



