174 NAT. ORDER. POMACES, 



in spring, before the leaves are expanded. The fruit or seeds of 

 most phmts produce varieties, dillering more or less from the parent 

 plant, and from each other ; I)ut in the Almond tree this diflcrcnce is 

 principally confined to the fruit, which is larger or smaller, the sliell 

 thicker or thinner, and the kernal bitter or sweet ; hence the distinc- 

 tion of bitter Alinon(Li and sweet Almonds. 



Tlie tree forms an important article in the general culture of 

 many parts of France, Italy, and Spain. In a forward spring the 

 blossoms often appear in Februaiy, but in this country frosts gener- 

 ally destroy them, and they bear little or no fruit, Avhereas when 

 the trees do not flower till March, they seldom fail to produce fruit 

 in abundance. 



The kernal of the nut is the only part used, which is tender 

 and of a fine flavor. The sweet Almonds and other varieties are 

 brought to the desert in a green or imperfect ripe, and also in a ripe 

 state. They are also nmch used in cookery, confectionery, perfumery 

 and medicine. Sweet Almonds used as food, Professor Martin ob- 

 serves, are diflicult of digestion, and afford very little nourishment, 

 uidess extremely well comminated. The tender shelled is in the 

 gi'eatest esteem, and next the sweet and Jordan. 



Propagation and Culture. The Almond is propagated like the 

 peach, by seeds for varieties or stocks, and by budding on its own or 

 on a plum stock for continuing vai'ieties. Plum stocks are preferred 

 for strong moist soils, and peach and almond stocks for dry situations. 

 The trees are generally planted as standards in shrubberies, and 

 these will sometimes in good seasons ripen their fruit, but when fruit 

 is the object, they .should be trained against a west or east wall, 

 like the peach. The Almond Tree bears chiefly on the young wood 

 of the previous year, like the apricot and peach, and in part upon 

 small spurs on the two and three year old, and older brandies ; it is 

 therefore primed like these trees. 



The fruit may be gathered and preserved in the following man- 

 ner. — a part may be gathered when nearly ripe, daily, for some 



