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style, the space between the trees should be from 24 to 30 feet apart, 

 according to the robustness of the variety and the nature of the soil. 

 Almonds, and more especially the robust bitter varieties, make very 

 effective break winds for orchards or vineyards when planted round the 

 boundaries. When used for this purpose the trees may be planted about 

 10 feet apart in the lines. In the case of young trees, some attention 

 in pruning is necessary, so as to get strong and well-formed specimens 

 quickly. Mature trees will require but little pruning, and may be left 

 pretty much to themselves. Let the ground be kept as free from weeds 

 as possible, and mulch the surface soil as far as the roots extend before 

 the warm weather sets in. Propagation is effected as with the Peach, 

 and for details see article upon that fruit. 



In making a selection of Almonds, the " sweet " soft-shelled varieties 

 are the more desirable sorts, as their produce is most in demand. They 

 also yield a larger weight of kernels, the proportion to the shells being 

 about one-half. The weight of kernels in the hard-shelled kinds will 

 range from 25 to 35 per cent. On the other hand, however, growers 

 must remember that the soft-shelled sorts are more tender than the other 

 class, and consequently are more liable to injury from frosts. They are 

 also less robust in growth. Almonds should be gathered as soon as the 

 husks or outer coverings have burst open. The best mode is to spread 

 canvas under the trees and shakedown the Almonds. They can generally 

 be brought down by jarring the branches if they do not fall readily with 

 an ordinary shaking. Removing the husks by hand is a slow and 

 troublesome process, but there are machines of American manufacture 

 that do the work cheaply and quickly. As a light colour is essential to 

 meet market requirements, the Almonds are usually subjected to a 

 bleaching process with sulphur. This treatment, however, must not be 

 given till the Almonds are perfectly dry, and the process should only 

 last about half-an-hour, or even less in some cases. There are a number 

 of varieties belonging to the "soft " shelled class to be found in nursery 

 catalogues, but the following list embraces all that are most deserving of 

 attention : 



Jordan (Tender-shelled, Soft-shelled Sweet, Ladies* Thin-shell}. 

 This is one of ihe best soft-shell Almonds, and is largely used as a dessert 

 fruit, also by confectioners. The shell is large and very tender ; kernel 

 large, white, and sweet. Fruit ripens early. Tree robust, and bears 

 well. Flowers very small, pale- red, and are produced at the same time 

 as the leaves. Brand's Jordan, Large Paper Shell and Nonpareil Paper 

 Shell are sub-varieties, and all excellent kinds. 



Large-fruited Sweet (Sweet Hard-shelled). This is the only hard- 

 shelled variety that is worthy of attention, as its kernels are used to 

 some extent in confectionery, being somewhat stronger in flavour than 

 the other sorts. The tree is also somewhat hardier and more vigorous. 

 Seeds large, long and broad ; kernels large, sweet and well flavoured. 

 Eipens very late. 



Pistache. An early variety, highly esteemed in France and other 

 parts of Europe, but not well-known in this part of the world. The fruit 

 is smaller than the other kinds, the stone terminating in a sharp point, 



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