118 TREATISE ON THE CULTURE, &c. 



in that case, they should be cut down to the sound wood ; 

 taking care to cut out the cross shoots that rub against others, 

 leaving the tree open in the middle, pruning the shoots about 

 the same length as apricots, and according to their strength. 

 Never omit cutting out all the cankery parts, and decayed 

 wood. 



Some plant these trees out as standards, and others as 

 half standards, according to the ground and situation ; always 

 taking care to plant them in a sheltered place facing the South, 

 intermixing them in the back of the shrubberies with the taller 

 flowering shrubs : Or they may be planted on lawns for or- 

 nament, as they make a very beautiful appearance when in 

 flower, or bearing fruit. If planted as dwarfs, they may be 

 covered with poles stuck into the ground, thatching over the 

 tops of the trees with some fern, or any other light covering, 

 which will prevent the blossom from being killed by the frost 

 in February and March. After the fruit is set, and the leaves 

 so far out as to cover it, if fine weather, the covering may be 

 removed in the latter end of April or beginning of May, which 

 w^ill ensure a plentiful crop of almonds; a very useful supply 

 for the table in autumn and winter. 



Those who have plenty of wailing sometimes plant al- 

 mond-trees on walls, and sometimes on espaliers. 



Almonds may be preserved in dry sand, or bran, for use ; 

 but they must be thoroughly dried on shelves, or boards, in 

 an airy place before they are put into the sand or bran, other- 

 wise they will get mouldy. They are preserved only for their 

 kernels, the othf r part of the fruit being of no service. 



