Fruit Farming for Profit in California, 65 



in comparison with the Spanish or Tarragona almonds 

 we deem them better meats, smoother skin and often 

 brighter shells. They are growing in favonr with con- 

 sumers. EespectfuUy, Sprague, Warner and Co." 



This is one of the largest produce houses in the East, 

 and its opinion, based purely upon an unsentimental 

 commercial basis, is of more than passing moment. 



The almond is probably still in the experimental 

 stage in California. Still enough has been learned re- 

 garding situation that it does best on bench or hillside 

 lands free from fogs, and more or less protected from 

 direct winds. Mr. A. T. Hatch, of Suison Valley, the 

 largest almond planter in the State, says that the 

 almond will not grow in the water, nor do well in a 

 heavy, poorly drained place, but will flourish and pro- 

 duce good crops on soils that are too light or dry to 

 grow peaches, apricots, nectarines, or similar pulpy 

 fruit. Almonds will make better returns from leaner 

 lands than any other crops, except it may be vines, 

 olives or figs." 



J. M. Blanchard sends in some Sunland almonds, 

 taken from a tree eight years old from the seed, 

 from which he has sold this year sixty-two pounds 

 of nuts, netting him 89*30. At this rate an acre of 

 trees would yield §900. 



California cannot be excelled for raising almonds. 

 And for quick returns, and a crop easily, quickly, and 

 inexpensively grown, the almond is the one above all 

 others. It is the most easily cared for of any kind of 

 nut or fruit-bearing tree. It is extremely hardy, and 

 the tree needs little or no pruning. The crop may be 

 gathered leisurely. There need be no hurry to gather 



E 



