THE ALMOND. 31 



packed in, dry sand or soil, until the approach of steady 

 cold weather, and then plant. Haying lost choice kinds 

 of nuts from being in too great haste in getting them 

 into the ground in the fall, I am prompted to give this 

 warning to those who have had no experience in raising 

 nut trees. If not convenient to plant in the fall, nuts 

 of all kinds may be packed in barrels, boxes, or similar 

 vessels, mixed with or stratified with sharp sand or light 

 soil, then stored in a dry, cool place, — a very cool cellar 

 will answer, but in my experience, ont'of doors is pref- 

 erable, — and in the shade of some evergreen tree or on 

 the north side of a building, and there banked over with 

 earth just sufficient to keep the nuts at an equably low 

 temperature. It is advisable to have a few small holes 

 in the bottom of the barrels or boxes, to injure proper 

 drainage, should any considerable amount of water get 

 in at the top ; but this will not occur if the vessels are 

 properly covered with boards when placed in position 

 for winter. 



It must also be kept in mind that mice, squirrels 

 and chipmunks are fond of almonds and other kinds of 

 edible nuts, and if placed where these little rodents can 

 find them, they are sure to take a share, or perhaps the 

 entire store, before their visits are discovered. I have 

 known field mice to dig down under boxes of nuts, en- 

 large the holes left for drainage, and spend the winter 

 among the chestnuts which I had put away for planting 

 in spring. The safest way is to place fine wire netting 

 on the bottom of the box, and then cover it with the 

 same. Owing to the abundance of mice and other little 

 nut-eating animals, I have never dared to plant out nuts 

 in the fall, and so have always stored them in sand, but 

 out of doors during the winter, and well covered with 

 earth. In other lacalities it may be safe to sow in 

 autumn, and if protection from vermin is required, coat 

 the nuts with gas tar, the same as practiced by farniers 



