In Nevada these are a very desirable article of Indian food. Once in two years the nut crop is abundant, and in early days was the main reliance of the Indians for winter supplies. The work of gathering them is quite tedious; but the patient squaws put in full time during the harvest, and accumulate many sacks full. The cone or bur which contains the nut is pulled from the tree and roasted, the oil or turpentine in the cone being sufficient to partially burn them. This opens the layers underneath which the nuts lie concealed, and from which they are shaken when the roasting process is completed.