ALMONDS. 



161 



almost sessile, solitary, or sometimes by pairs, of a fine bright 

 red, or of a deep rose colour. The fruit is small, oval, some- 

 what rounded ; the skin is covered with thick down, and con- 

 tains an almost smooth stone ; the kernel or almond is small, 

 and of a bitterish taste. This shrub, though naturally so 

 very dwarf, can be elevated to a standard by inoculation on a 

 tall stock of some other species. The present, as well as 

 the preceding species, was introduced to our country by the 

 author a few years since. 



DWARF DOUBLE FLOWERING. Pb. cat. 



Double dwarf Almond. 

 Amygdalus pumila. Lin. 

 Prunus sinensis. Desf. 

 Prunus sinensis pleno. 



This most beautiful ornamental shrub attains to the height 

 of two to two and half feet, and is not surpassed by any other in 

 the profusion, beauty, and brilliancy of its rose-coloured blos- 

 soms, which are produced in wreaths on the whole length of its 

 slender branches. It throws up numerous suckers, by which 

 it is readily increased, and by being budded on a high stock 

 of some other species, it may be converted into a standard ; 

 but its appearance is much the most pleasing in its natural 

 dwarf state. It does not produce any fruit. No garden 

 should be without this interesting shrub. 



LARGE DOUBLE FLOWERING. Pe. gat. 

 Amygdalus communis, pleno. 



This tree was introduced to our country by the father of 

 the author, about nine years ago, and was by him sent to 

 England, and it is not, even to the present day, to be met 

 with in the catalogues of the English nurseries. The growth 

 is the strongest and most vigorous of all almonds ; and there 

 are few peach trees that surpass or even equal it in this respect. 

 The blossoms are very large, of a delicate rose colour, and 

 highly ornamental, affording a brilliant display early in the 

 Spring. The leaves bear some affinity to those of the bitter 



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