THE MACADAM I A NUT IN HAWAII 
15 
The season's average of the various localities shows some marked 
differences, particularly with regard to the quality of kernels. In this 
respect Keauhou, Hawaii, is much lower in grade 1 kernels than the 
others. It is likewise lower in proportion of kernel. In percent of 
sizing culls and average weight per kernel, all locations are similar and 
acceptable. 
At Waipahu, during the initial period the quality of kernels was 
poor but improved rapidly. The quality ratio reached its lowest 
value of 3.7") during September and October. In the subsequent 
period the kernel quality increased slightly but the quality ratio 
dropped due to a decrease in the proportion of kernel. This phenom- 
enon lias been noted in other instances and is probably significant. 
Poor kernel quality during the early part of the season is evident at 
Nutridge, but there is no appreciable decrease in quality ratio during 
the last of the season. 
There is no marked seasonal trend in the grading of the nuts from 
the other localities although in the case of Haiku, Maui, and Kalaheo, 
Kauai, the shipments were limited in amount and number, and it is 
possible that the early harvest of poorer nuts was not sold. W ith 
roped to Keauhou, however, the harvesting period extended from 
May 1935 through January 193<i. During this entire time the 
quality ratio remained fairly constant. 
The importance to the commercial buyer of these differences in 
quality ratio of nuts from different sources and at different seasons of 
the year is apparent in the last column of table ">. Obviously these 
figures would change with the assumed price and overhead, but they 
do bring out the important fact that variation in quality is appreciable 
in commercial samples. An illustration of a single shipment which 
was below par is Keauhou, sample No. 642 (table 14) with a quality 
ratio of o.4.~>. This shipment of (*>{)."> pounds on the basis used above 
was worth only 4.4 cents per pound. New trees coming into bearing, 
hard winds, drought, excessive cloudy weather, nutritional factors, all 
may be contributing factors in such a sudden change in quality. Pur- 
chase of nuts on the basis of their quality ratio would mean a higher 
price for high-quality nuts and should act as a stimulus to growers to 
improve quality through top working and better cultural practices. 
BOUGH-SHELL I IPE 
Samples of rough-shell nuts were received from the Macadamia 
Nut Cooperative Marketing Association, located at Kailua, Hawaii. 
The association hand-cracked the crop and divided the kernels by 
specific gravity into grades. Composite samples of the hand-cracked 
kernels of each shipment were forwarded to the station. .Results of 
scoring these commercial shipments are given in table 6. 
