1. Harvest the nuts as soon as mature.
2. Remove the hulls promptly.
3. Cure the nuts somewhat.
4. Crack the shells and remove the kernels very soon.
5. In cracking, the kernels should be separated into five grades—Lights, darks, intermediates as to color, small pieces and crumbs.
6. Before packing for shipment the kernels must be artificially cured until they no longer feel moist to the hand when it is run through the container.
7. Barrels or boxes of wood, or strawboard lined with water-proof paper, should be used in packing for shipment. These should not be closed until immediately before shipment.
8. As soon as received by the buyer the containers should be opened and the kernels spread out in clean bins where they may receive frequent inspection.
Harvesting
The nuts should be picked from the ground within three or four days from the time they fall. If possible the limbs should be jarred so as to shake the nuts from the tree. Good nuts will usually be found to mature within a very few days and may readily be shaken down.