CHAPTER X 

 MABKETIXG PECAXS 



The pecan is now going through a process of standard- 

 ization and introduction into the world markets. General 

 demand for the better grade nnts dates back to the exposition 

 at New Orleans in 1886, when an extensive collection of 

 choice thin-shelled pecans from the Mississippi bayous was 

 exhibited. It was not until 1900, however, when a very 

 complete exhibit of America's choicest varieties was shown 

 at the Paris Exposition that any noticeable world-wide 

 demand for pecan nuts was created. 



The price of pecans, before the advent of improved varieties 

 in any quantity, was based on the demands for Avild seed- 

 lings. The producers considered these seedling nuts merely 

 a by-product, costing nothing but the harvesting. This, to- 

 gether with the very limited demand, caused exceedingly low 

 prices to prevail, and even as recently as 1900 pecans sold 

 as low as two to four cents a pound. Before 1910 the price 

 advanced, with considerable fluctuations, to sixteen cents a 

 pound. This rise was due largely to the invention and in- 

 stallation of cracking machinery which enabled the dealers 

 to put unbroken half kernels on the market in large quan- 

 tities ready for use, and also enabled them to use all grades 

 of nuts. With this widening market for the seedling pecans 

 came a very much greater demand for the standard named 

 varieties. 



The limited production of standard varieties of pecans 



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