Peck (of flour)

In some English recipes written prior to 1800 (and even later) a peck of wheat flour is an understood weight of 12 or 14 pounds. However, in other recipes a peck of flour means a volume measurement of 2 gallons, which would weigh only 8 to 10 pounds, depending on how settled the flour is in the measure. Some recipes specify “peck” as either “by weight” or by the wine or beer quart or pint, meaning by volume. If neither is specified, volume should be assumed unless weight is suggested by context.