[THE ALMOND 



preferring the bitter almond for use as stock instead of 

 the sweet almond, is that bitter almonds are procurable 

 at about half the price of sweet almonds, their germina- 

 tion is better assured, and perhaps the seedlings grow 

 more quickly to budding or grafting size. 



Where it is not possible to plant a young almond 

 with ease, owing to the rocky nature of the ground, or 

 owing to lack of facilities for watering a newly planted 

 tree at least during the first summer, it is advisable to 

 sow the bitter almonds directly where they are to remain, 

 and then to bud them or graft them after two or three 

 years when they have grown to suitable size. This 

 method is also recommendable in the case of trees to be 

 grown along walls of terraced fields or gardens where it 

 is desired to utilize the subsoil of the adjoining ground 

 at a higher level. In all other cases it is preferable 

 to sow the seeds or nuts in a nursery, where the seedlings 

 can receive all the care which they require to make quick 

 growth. The soil is prepared by deep tillage and ma- 

 nuring, and the nuts are dibbled to a depth of about 5 

 c. m. and about 50 c. m. apart; the soil is kept well clean 

 of weeds and watered lightly but frequently to keep it 

 well moist in dry weather until germination is completed. 

 The best time to sow the almond is in October or Novem- 

 ber, and germination follows in January or February. 

 Sowing in December or January will require greater 

 attention as regards watering in dry weather, and even 

 with all due care failures are frequent. It is not necessary 

 to crack the shell of the almond before sowing, by a light 

 blow on its edge with a hammer, but the practice will be 

 found useful in late sowing, as it hastens the process of 

 germination, provided that the shell is not broken open 

 as that will expose the kernel to the depredations of 

 insects 



The soil around the young seedlings is stirred 

 occasionally to keep down weeds and to prevent the 

 formation of surface cracks which would cause the soil to 



