ALMOND. 



some almonds being cracked as easily as a peanut, others having 

 firmer shells, readily cracked by hand, and still others which can be 

 cracked by hand with difficulty, if at all. 



The form of the kernel is also subject to variation. The typical 

 soft-shelled almond has a somewhat elongated elliptical and flattened 

 kernel covered with a comparatively smooth, rather light-colored 

 integument. The hard-shelled almond has a shorter, thicker, and 

 more nearly oval kernel, with a rougher and darker integument (see 

 fig. 1, A). Intermediate forms are common, especially in those 

 strains having shells of intermediate thickness. 



The hard -shelled almonds differ in flavor as well as in thickness 

 and density of the shell. Some have no suggestion of bitterness; 

 others are slightly bitter, but are not at all unpleasant. The typical 

 bitter almond has so strong a flavor as to be inedible and in large 

 amounts poisonous because of the presence of the prussic acid form- 



Fio. 1. Kernels (natural size) of (A) hard-shelled almond, (B) Jordan almond, (C) 

 apricot, (D) peach, (E) prune. 



ing glucosid amygdalin. It is used for flavoring and in the manu- 

 facture of oil. 



The Jordan almond, a hard-shelled variety, differs from the com- 

 mon varieties in form and has a thinner integument and a more deli- 

 cate flavor. In consequence it brings a high price in market. The 

 kernel is thicker and more elongated than that of the soft-shelled 

 almond and is usually somewhat curved (see fig. 1. B). The supply 

 is at present imported almost exclusively from southeastern Spain, 

 where it is grown extensively, especially in the vicinity of Malaga. 

 It has recently been introduced into this country and its cultivation 

 undertaken in California. The origin of the name Jordan as ap- 

 plied to this variety is in doubt, some claiming that the first importa- 

 tions were reported to have come from the vicinity of the River 

 Jordan, others contending that it is simply a corruption of the 

 French word " jardin," garden. 1 



The almond tree has been found to grow in many parts of the 

 United States, but its early blooming habits render it especially liable 



1 Fairchild. Spanish Almonds and their Introduction into America. U. S. Dept. Agr., 

 Bureau of Plant Industry Bui. 26, p. 10. 



