892 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



The height of the date-palm varies from three to twelve metets. 

 The tree itself will indicate the time of fruit bearing. 



When it has arrived at its maturity it will cease its upward growth 

 and throw out from its head a large mass of long, broad, green, 

 leaves, which protect the neck from the glare and heat of the sun. 

 The young seedlings must be removed from the foot of the parent 

 tree in the month of January, and planted and reared according to 

 the foregoing instructions. 



In Persia the palm is grown near the ports on the Persian Gulf; 

 also, in the hot districts of Kerman, Khurzistan, and in the oasis of 

 Jandak. 



E. Spencer Pratt. 



Legation of the United States, 



Teheran, July 3, 1887. 



CULTIVATION OF THE ALMOND TREE. 



REPOnx BY CONSUL MATBEWS, OF TANGIER. 

 [Republished from Consular Reports No. 41^.] 



Soils, etc. — The almond is a tree of third magnitude, and is remark- 

 able for the facilty in raising it, for its hardiness in standing continued 

 droughts growing in the poorest soils, in the sands, gravels, and amongst 

 rocks ; and finally for the abundance of and high price which its fruit 

 commands. In fact, the almond-tree being the easiest and cheapest to 

 rear and cultivate is the most useful tree to industry, medicine, and the 

 arts. 



California abounds in soils which are considered, owing to their 

 locality, lightness, or hilly nature, unprofitable or unfit for any use but 

 pasturing cattle in certain seasons of the year, which, if planted with 

 almonds, would become sources of great wealth and utility. The cult- 

 fire of almonds is In fact the easiest, most economical, and productive. 

 At the sixth year the almond trees commence to yield by far greater 

 product than the expenses incurred in their raising and cultivation, 

 owing to their rustic habit, requiring no care from the time of their 

 planting to the long period which these ti-ees live. 



The many varieties of almouds are variously described; they are di- 

 vided in two groups, the sweet and the bitter almond. The most prom- 

 inent are the Princess almond, the largest and most superior of all ; 

 others, large, soft-shell, and large, sweet almond, very much sought; 

 the common almond, with a small fruit; sweet almond, with a tender 

 shell ; Jordan almond, with a tcMuler shell and a large, sweet kernel. 

 These almonds are largely exported. The Sultana almond, or Ibiza of 

 the Balearic Islands, with a small fruit and tender kernel; the Pista- 

 chio almond, with smaller fruit than the last mentioned, and a variety 

 of hard-shell and bitter almonds. 



