2 



ALMOND. 



the bearing" state, it will be observed to produce 

 numerous spurs ; which, as they are generally thickly 

 set with blossom buds, should be carefully preserved. 

 These spurs bear the best fruit ; but as the latter 

 are liable to be too much crowded together, they 

 must be timously thinned. The almond not only 

 resembles the peach in its general habit, as to 

 manner of growth, form and colour of flower, and 

 foliage ; it is also subject to the same diseases and 

 attacks of insects, which are to be prevented by the 

 same means as is advised for the peach, hereafter to 

 be noticed. 



The author never had but two trees under his care, 

 and treated as fruit-bearers. One was v/orked on 

 an almond stock, which lasted but for a few years. 

 While in health it blossomed well, but produced very 

 few ripe fruit. The other was on a plum stock, 

 became a thrifty tree, and lasted much longer. But 

 from the little experience he has had of almond 

 culture, he refrains from offering his own practice as 

 a rule ; acknowledging that much more might have 

 been done in protecting the flowers if he had thought 

 the fruit were worth the trouble ; his opinion being, 

 that they are the least valuable of all our wall fruit, 

 more especially as they can be so cheaply purchased 

 of the grocer. 



In the management of the fruit, the author advises 

 that they be allowed to hang on the tree until the 

 rind becomes brown, and the kernels firm and solid. 

 Under these circumstances they may be gathered, 

 divested of their outer coat, gently dried till the shell 



