The Portland daily press., 1899-12-23
Especial Correspondence II the Chicago
Record.)

Especial Correspondence II the Chicago
Record.)i
Austin, Tex, Dec. a.-Texss 10 the
greatest pecan nut growing State in the
Union. II IL sstimated that two-thirds
Of the pecan nuts that are marketed como
from this State. The valleys OF all tbs
rivers and creeks Of this part OF the state
are covered with pecan groves. and Aus
tin Is said TO be the largest pecan market
in the United States. IL is here that the
commission men and regular pecan nut
buyers from the East make their head.
quarters during the harvesting season
and direct the shipmsnts Of the delicious
nuts to the Northern and Eastern ma r.
kets, waers they command good prices at
all times.
This ssason but very few oars are being
shipped for the reason that the Texas
crop Of peoans is almost complete fall
urs. The prices for the nuts are high,
and the owners Of pecan groves who are
90 fortunate as TO have q good crop ara
getting big income from the nuts. IL
was not until few years ago that Tsxs s
came to be known to any great extent In
the pecan markets Of the country. TIL 8
fact was due principally to the lack Of
railway Communication with the outside
markets and the inability to get the nuts
to market The nuts had but little value
at that time and no effort was made to
preserve the forest Of pecan trees that COW
cred parts Of southwest and west Texas
NJ vx,an Now that it liz
known that there are big profits In mar
keting the nuts the owners OF prod ucing
trees are careful to have them spared the
woodman's axe. and much attention Is
being paid the industry. In SONS local..
ties orchards Of young pecan trees en-
planted within the last few years. They
thrive without Irrigation. They begin
bearing when about nine years old and
oontinue to produce for an indefinite
period. II IL known that some pecan
trees which are still yielding several
bushels each good crop season were full
grown and bearing not less than fifty
years ago.
The beautiful polish possessed BY the
pecan nuts found in the markets OF
Northern and Eastern cities is not .
natural condition. When gathered, the
surface Of the shell Is rough. Nuts sent
to market In this condition do not COM
make them grade better 10 is usual for
them to undergo q polishing process be-
fore q pal shipment II made. Pecan pol
ishing mills have been established ct q
number Of places in this ssction. But
few Of them are running this season,
owing to the shortness Ct the crop.
Another industry tnat has greatly In
creased the demand for pecan nuts has
been developed during the last few years.
1t 10 that of using the kernels OF the nuts
In the manufacturing Of confectionery
Of various kinds. About six years ago q
confeotionsr Of New Yory City ohanced to
visit a small candy store in San Antonio
kind OF confectionery which the Mexican
called "peoan candy" II pleased his
taste 80 grealy that ne entered into . con :
tract with the Mexican to furnish him
large quantity Of pecan kernels for use
In the manufacture Of this new kind OF
candy In his New York establishment.
The extraction and shipment OF kernels
which was begun In o small way only six
years ago has grown to mammoth pro-
portions, and many people are engaged In
the business. Machinery for the extrac-
ton Of the kernels has been invented and
placed In succesaful operation at San An
tonic. and large shipments are made each
season to confeotioners In New York city,
st. Louis. Chicago and other cities Of
the country. 1he kernels command .
high price. and good profits are derived
by those employed In that branch Of the
pecan business.
The Mexicans on the Rio Grande bor-
der store large quantities of pecan nuts
for winter use. They make fins flour
out Of the kernels, and this 10 used to
make the most delicious bread, which is
only eaten on festival occasions. The
nut enters into their Christmas enjoy
msnts to o large extent, being used in
the preparation OF various kinds Of choice
dishes.