I have been warned against researching at this late date in my thesis-writing. It is wise advice.
Sometimes I can’t seem to help myself. I found this latest gem by guess and by gosh.
In a letter from 1869 written by my great-great-grandfather, I have gone over this passage dozens of times without any idea what he’s talking about:
My business partner Ernst Butler asks you through me if you might, very soon after receiving these few lines, pick 1/2 of a large scoop (Schoppenglas) of unripe nuts (maple?), dry these but not in the sun but in the air, and occasionally send them into this country.
My cousin and translator Angela inserted the (maple?) comment, neither of us sure what he was talking about. This morning, on an impulse, I searched “maple nuts Germany” and found my way to beech nuts. Based on the information at this website called “On the Table” I think I’ve solved the mystery.
Or maybe someone has another idea?