The Hazel. 121 



or less of the nuts have adlieriiig hulls which are separated 

 by a machine called an almond huller. Nuts stained by 

 rain cannot be bleached by sulfur, and must be sold for 

 confectioners' use. The quality of almonds depends upon 

 the smoothness, symmetry and plumpness of the kernels. 



180. Parasitic enemies. The almond trees of California 

 are often injured by the red spider {Tetramjchus telarius), 

 which may be destroyed by spraying with a caustic solu- 

 tion. This may be made by boiling 3 pounds of sulfur 

 and 2 pounds of caustic soda in 2 gallons of water; adding 

 when the sulfur is dissolved, 25 pounds of whale-oil soap, 

 diluting with enough water to make 100 gallons after the 

 soap is dissolved by continued boiling. 



A shot-hole fungus (Cercospora circitmscissa) is often 

 destructive to the foliage of the almond in California, 

 Three or more sprayings with am moniacal solution of cop- 

 per carbonate ' ax-e recommended for this disease. The first 

 treatment should be given as soon as the leaves appear. 



E — THE HAZEL 



181. The hazel {Corylus) has been little cultivated in 

 North America, though two native species are widely dis- 

 tributed. In Europe, two species are extensively cultivated 

 and yield most of the hazel nuts and filberts of our markets. 

 Our wild species are quite variable, and individual plants 

 bearing nuts of good size and quality have been reported 

 from many places. The species are hardier than most of 

 our cultivated fruits, and are worthy the attention of hor- 

 ticulturists in severe climates. The suckering habit of the 

 plant is perhaps its most serious objection, though it is 



" For directions for making the ammoniacal solution of copper carbonate, 

 see "Principles of Plant Culture." 



