NUT CULTUEE IN THE UNITED STATES. 



CHAPTER XXIII of Part I gives an outline of the advance of nut 

 culture within recent years. While it is true that nut-orcharding is 

 yet largely in the experimental stage, yet at this time the production 

 of the Almond, Walnut, and Japan Chestnut and its American seed- 

 lings, are commmercial crops in parts of the Union ; and some species of 

 our native nuts, notably the Pecan and Shellbark Hickory, have been 

 propagated and orchard-planting commenced, but as yet the market is 

 mainly supplied from the indigenous forest-trees. 



THE ALMOND. 



The Almond is about as hardy in tree as the peach. But as 

 stated in Section 282 its period of blossoming is so early that it rarely 

 escapes frost except in favored localities in Southwest Texas, Arizona, 

 and California. But in a small way certain varieties are grown in 

 Florida, on the Gulf coast, and even in parts of Oregon. At this time 

 we also have some promise of securing varieties from Turkestan, in 

 Asia (282), that will flower later and prove hardier in tree. 



LEADING VARIETIES NOW IN CULTIVATION. 



Drake. Large, broad, thin-shelled, with very plump kernels, 

 often double. A leading variety in South California and Arizona. 



Golden State. Medium, often large, soft-shelled, with full kernel 

 that parts readily from the shell. Ripens early and drops if not 

 promptly gathered when mature. 



Harriott. Large, long, with soft-shell; kernel single, sweet, and 

 good. Does well in a dry region, such as Arizona, with irrigation, on 

 account of its dense foliage. 



I XL. Large, broad, soft-shelled; hulls easily; quality very 

 good. Largely grown in Arizona and Southern California. 



King (King Soft Shell). Size medium to large, broad; shell thin 

 and soft; quality best. Grown in Eastern Oregon as well as farther- 

 South on west coast. 



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