Book 3 — A Backwoodsman’s Nutcracker
Reading edition
Most persons know what a difficult job it is to crack hickory nuts, unless provided with a suitable hammer, or other tool, for the purpose. When nut hunting, such tools are usually not at hand, and a method used by an old backwoodsman will be of interest. First he cut a hickory limb, about 2 in. thick and 3 ft. long. In the center of the limb, he cut a square notch, about halfway through, and just large enough to admit a nut. Then placing one end of the limb on the ground, the other end held in the left hand, he placed a nut in the notch, and bent the limb slightly. This brought the edges of the notch closer together, and cracked the nut neatly.—C. M. Vaiden, Portland, Ore.