THE ALMOND. 21 



valued at $995,764. It will thus be seen that the production of almonds in this 

 country does not yet exceed one-tenth of the quantity consumed. 



OULTTJRE. 



The essential factors of successful almond culture in California, as judged from 

 our reports, would seem to be in their order of relative importance: Trustworthy 

 varieties, suitable climate with proper slope or exposure, well-drained soil, and good 

 culture. 



* Selection of varieties. For profit the varieties planted should be reliable annual 

 croppers under normal climatic conditions. They should hull easily, and should have 

 clean, thin, soft shells, with smooth, bright, plump kernels. Nuts with long single 

 kernels are preferred to those with double or triple ones by confectioners, whose 

 purchases of these nuts have a marked effect on the market demand and price. They 

 pay most for nuts with perfectly smooth, plump kernels, the size of the nut being of 

 secondary importance. It is for this reason that the old Languedoc variety is less 

 sought for in the markets than the newer California sorts. 



Climate and exposure. After widespread trial of the Languedoc and other old 

 varieties it has been found that they only succeed in the mild climate of Sonoma, 

 Solano, Alanieda, and Santa Clara counties, far enough removed from salt water to 

 be out of the fog belt and on bench or hillside situations, avoiding low lauds and small 

 valleys. This region can be considered as possessing the best climate for the almond 

 yet found in this country. The fact that the newer varieties are found to succeed 

 over a much wider range, including orchard sites where the old varieties have utterly 

 failed, and extending to portions of Arizona, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, and south- 

 western Texas, indicates that the range of probable profitable growth of the almond 

 is much broader than has been for some time supposed. 



In some sections a northern exposure or a table-land is preferred, and a southern 

 or southeastern exposure is to be avoided, on account of the earlier blooming in the 

 latter locations and consequent danger from spring frosts. Many growers, however, 

 in reporting on this point, regard it as of little importance if proper varieties are 

 planted. 



Soil. The soil should be light, warm, and well drained, the majority of growers 

 preferring sand or gravel, though a few reports indicate good results on adobe, clay, 

 and black waxy laud. The almond grows native in Syria and northern Africa in very 

 dry and stony locations, and is perhaps capable of enduring greater drought than 

 any other of our cultivated fruit trees. But large and profitable crops are only 

 secured from orchards on good soils. In a dry, warm climate, where water for irriga- 

 tion is abundant, the yield from trees planted on black loam will be double that of 

 trees on dry soil. 



PROPAGATION. 



The almond is mainly propagated by budding on seedling bitter almond stocks, j 

 though peach stocks are sometimes used. The apricot is condemned as a stock by ' 

 most growers because of its imperfect union with the scion. The method of treating 

 seed for planting is by ordinary stratification (see p. 11) either in sand or sawdust. 



Ordinary nursery culture suffices, and shield budding is found satisfactory, the 

 process being identical with that used on the peach. The most uniform stand of trees 

 is secured by budding close to the ground. The northwest side of the stock is pre- 

 ferred for the insertion of the bud because less exposed to the sun's rays. 



THE ORCHARD. 



Trees should be removed from nursery to orchard at the earliest practicable age. 

 Mr. Hatch reports his best success to be with dormant buds, although greater care is 

 necessary with these than with trees that are one year old from the bud when trans- 



