232 NUT GROWING 



skilled attention. If this is not given, the almond 

 tree quickly begins to look unthrifty and becomes 

 vulnerable to many fungous, bacterial and insect 

 pests. 



The propagation of the almond, like that of the 

 peach, is by bud and scion grafting. In fact, almond 

 grafting was highly successful in California and in 

 our southern states long in advance of the time when 

 other nut trees responded favorably to our efforts. 

 The almond, while enjoying rich ground and abun- 

 dant rain as a rule, presents varieties belonging to 

 arid regions. These varieties will thrive under con- 

 ditions not suitable for any of our other nut trees 

 so far as I know, excepting the Texas and Arizona 

 walnuts. Because of this fact we shall eventually find 

 large areas suitable for special kinds of almond cul- 

 ture. A very large number of seedling almonds now 

 being raised in this country may allow us to develop 

 better kinds than any which have been developed 

 previously and with larger adaptation to soil and 

 climatic conditions. No tree of the nut tree group 

 is more exacting than the almond in its demand for 

 just the right condition of soil and climate, but the 

 many varieties will find soils to their individual 

 liking. 



The bitter almond as a varietal type contains prus- 

 sic acid in excess, but some of the nuts find their 

 way to market for flavoring purposes. 



The quality of hard-shelled almonds may be 

 higher than that of soft-shelled kinds, but for ordi- 

 nary market purposes soft-shelled almonds return 

 best profit on the investment. 



