228 PRUNUS 



P. AMYGDALUS, Stokes. ALMOND. 



(Amygdalus communis, Linncfus,') 



A deciduous tree, 20 to 30 ft. high, erect branching when young, of bushy 

 habit when old ; branchlets quite smooth. Leaves smooth, lanceolate, 3 to 5 

 ins. long, f to \\ ins. wide ; long-pointed, margins finely toothed ; stalk 

 glandular, up to i in. long. Flowers i to 2 ins. across, borne in March 

 and April, singly or in pairs from the buds of 'the previous summer's twigs, 

 each on a short stalk scarcely longer than the bud-scales. Calyx bell-shaped 

 at the base, the five lobes \ in. long, oblong, rounded, downy 'towards the 

 edges ; petals rosy or nearly white. Fruit i to 2j ins. long, not quite so 

 much wide, covered with a velvety down ; flesh rather dry, enclosing a smooth 

 nut with a pitted shell. 



The almond is naturalised in many countries of S. Europe and W. Asia, 

 and it is now, perhaps, impossible to determine the original limits of its 

 distribution ; but it has been found undoubtedly wild in Algeria. The dimen- 

 sions of flower and leaf in wild specimens are about half those given above. 

 It was cultivated in Britain early in the sixteenth century, perhaps long before. 

 Of the earliest blossoming trees it is the most beautiful, flowering in early 

 spring when almost all other deciduous trees and shrubs are merely showing 

 signs of reawakening growth, and providing then a delightful feast of softest 

 colouring, which gives, perhaps, a deeper pleasure than any of the great 

 Prunus tribe. To see the almond at its best it should be given some 

 sunny bay with evergreens like holly or holm oak as a background. With no 

 other backing than the cold March sky, almond flowers lose half their charm. 

 In Britain it is propagated chiefly by budding on the plum stock, and thrives 

 very well. Seeds or seedlings can be obtained at very cheap rates from 

 continental nurseries, but on its own roots it is said to be less hardy and 

 more fastidious as to soil than it is when worked on the plum. The soil need 

 not be particularly rich, but it should be warm and well-drained. Although 

 the almond occasionally produces good eatable nuts in England, it is never 

 likely to be valued in gardens on that account. It is for its beauty of flower 

 alone that it is cultivated. We can therefore ignore the numerous varieties 

 that are gro,wn in the south of Europe for their nuts. The * folio wing named 

 varieties are obtainable in this country : 



Var. AMARA. Bitter Alm6nd. Flowers larger than ordinary, darkest in 

 the centre, almost white towards the tips of the petals. Leaves broadest 

 about the middle. This variety produces the nuts used so largely in con- 

 fectionery, for macaroons, etc. 



Var. DULCIS. Sweet Almond. The flowers do not differ materially from 

 those of the bitter almond, except that the style stands well out beyond the 

 stamens. Leaves rather glaucous green, broadest close to the base. This 

 tree produces dessert almonds. 



Var. MACROCARPA. Notable for its large fruits, 3 ins. in diameter ; flowers 

 up to 2 ins. across. 



Var. PENDULA. Branches pendulous. 



Var. PR^ECOX. Flowers produced a fortnight earlier than in the type, 

 frequently in February (also grown as var. persicoides). 



P. ANGUSTIFOLIA, Marshall. CHICK AS AW PLUM. 



(P. chicasa, Michaux f~) 



A deciduous tree, 15 to 20 ft. high, with smooth, , lustrous, reddish young 

 branchlets. Leaves i to 2 ins, long, one-third a,s wide ; oval-lanceolate, 



