MISCELLANEOUS HARDY FRUITS. 



251 



These varieties should all be tried, even if in 

 small quantities, for it is possible that one may 

 thrive better than another through varied sur- 

 roundings. 



All that is needed is a good Strawberry soil, 

 an open, sunny position — then propagation by 

 runners is ample and efficient. [J. H.] 



CHAPTER XV. 



MISCELLANEOUS HARDY FRUITS. 



Almond — Chestnut — Hazel Nut or Filbert— Wal- 

 nut — Quince — Medlar — Date Plum — Mulberry 

 — Bramble— Logan Berry — Wineberry — Cran- 

 berry — Bilberry or Blaeberry — Berberry — 

 Elder. 



Almond (Amygdalus communis) (fig. 1039) is 

 a deciduous tree, growing to the height of 15 or 

 20 feet, a native of the warmer parts of Asia. 

 The fruit consists of a dry or fleshy husk, and 

 a shell of a greater or less degree of hardness, 

 containing a kernel, which is sweet or bitter 

 according to the variety, and which is the 

 edible portion. The kernels of sweet Almonds 

 are eaten at the dessert, and are largely used 

 in confectionery and cookery. They also yield 

 an oil, which is employed in medicine and 

 the arts, especially in perfumery. The kernels 

 of the Bitter Almond are used in the pro- 

 duction of noyau and for flavouring confec- 

 tionery. They contain hydrocyanic acid, and are 

 poisonous to birds and animals. They also yield 

 an oil which is extensively used in flavouring, 

 but it should be used with caution, as it is 

 poisonous. 



The Almond seldom bears any considerable 

 quantity of fruit, even in the south of these 

 islands; for the blossoms appearing in March, 

 and sometimes in February, are frequently de- 

 stroyed by frost; and even if they do escape, 

 there is rarely sufficient sun-heat to ripen the 

 fruit as lvell as that imported from the south 

 of France, and which can be purchased at a 

 cheaper rate than Almonds could be produced 

 in this country. The tree is therefore rarely 

 planted for any other purpose than ornament, 

 or occasionally as a stock for the Peach and 

 Nectarine. 



The Almond prefers a warm, deep soil, well 

 drained, a sheltered situation, and a sunny 

 aspect. Propagation is effected by seeds, and 

 by budding on the Almond or on the Plum 

 stock, for the perpetuation of the varieties. In 



raising from seeds, the finest and most perfect 

 nuts only should be selected, and stratified in 

 damp sand in November. When they have 

 germinated, they may be planted in March or 

 April, 2 inches deep, in light, rich, well-dug 

 ground, and in a warm situation. They may 

 be placed 18 inches apart, in rows 2 feet 

 asunder, and many of them may be budded 



Fig. 1039.— Almond {Amygdalus communis). 



near the ground the same year, or standard 

 high when two or three years older. In the 

 autumn of the year after budding, the young- 

 trees may be' planted where they are to remain ; 

 they should be carefully taken up, so as to pre- 

 serve the fibrous roots as much as possible, and 

 the tap-roots should be shortened by about one- 

 third of their length. They ought then to be 

 planted in well-trenched ground, and supported 

 with stakes till well established. 



Though the Almond stock is generally to be 

 preferred, yet when the subsoil where the trees 

 are to be grown is of a cold, moist, heavy 

 nature, and where the surface soil is shallow, it 

 is generally better to bud upon the Plum, as its 

 roots do not strike so deeply into the ground, 

 and are not so liable to suffer from an excess of 

 humidity. The Almond may be trained as a 

 standard, half standard, dwarf standard, or as 

 a pyramid; and, in respect to pruning, it may 

 be treated like the Peach. If fruits be pro- 

 duced, as sometimes happens, they may either 

 be gathered whilst the shell is soft for imme- 

 diate use, or remain on the trees till they fall. 

 After gathering, the husks should be taken off 

 and the nuts spread out on the shelves of the 

 fruit-room to dry. Afterwards, thev may be 



