
ALMOND VARIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES 79 
averages rather narrow and shallow. Glands two to six, commonly two, small, 
globular, brownish. 
Bearing habit—Mostly on wood 2 to 4 years old; some on laterals; many 
borne in pairs; very few compound spurs. Spurs rather slender (% inch), 
long (2 to 4 inch); generally with a marked constriction; expands gradually 
to rather small round disk 7; inch in diameter. Buds free, very large, plump, 
long, constricted at base; scales rather small, brownish gray, rather thick and 
tough with much long pubescence. 
NUT 
Immature nut.—Rather large (2 by 1% by 1 inches). Shape long triangu- 
lar, part on ventral edge of axis forms two sides of a triangle, part on 
dorsal side of axis long, oblong, oval. Ventral edge much curved and 
bulging in middle, one side often elevated more than the other; ridge seldom 
present; ventral suture depression usually crooked; wide (4 inch), deep 
(7s to z» inch). Dorsal edge varied and irregular in curve, but gently 
curved, curving sharply at apex. Base pointed, usually at right angles 
to axis. Apex pointed; style falls rather early. 
Hull: Outer surface of hull green; pubescence abundant, quite coarse; 
standing out rather straight, medium length, gray. Inner surface green when 
partially dehisced, turning to brown. Usually dehisces on ventral edge only, 
but cracks occur on sides and on dorsal edge; ventral edges roll inward but 
curve out at tip. Many sticktights in dry soil. Ripens August 15 to Sep- 
tember 30. 
Hulled nut.—(Pl. VIII, A.) Size varies on same tree, especially when 
crop is heavy; medium to large (average, 1g by 12 inches). Number of nuts 
to the pound, 75 to 90. Percentage of kernel to nut in hand-cracked sam- 
ples, 24; in machine-cracked orchard run, 21. 
Shape: Nuts frequently distorted, rather thin, long and narrow; very dis- 
tinctive, half-diamond shaped, the ventral edge forming the two Sides of 
the diamond. Viewed edgewise, the nut is long oval, sides frequently un- 
symmetrical. Ventral edge plump, much curved and bulging; widest portion 
of nut in middle; ventral edge from middle to base and apex generally almost 
straight, giving the nut a narrow triangular appearance. Longitudinal de- 
pressions and ridges common. Wing never prominent, but varies in promi- 
nence and width. Dorsal edge varies in plumpness; almost straight; dorsal 
ridge narrow, varies in prominence, usually not prominent. Base narrow, 
thin, practically always constricted; stem scar very large, round, depressed, 
at right angles to axis, or slightly sloping ventrally. Apex blunt or widely 
acute. Viewed edgewise it is cuneiform, with sides slightly curving. Ex- 
treme tip with a little point, usually slightly recurving. 
Shell: Light to dark brown. Very hard, thick; no difference in texture of 
outer and inner Shell. Pits very numerous, small, round, shallow. Shallow 
depressions between the pits of same size as pits. Wide depression on one or 
both sides of wing extending almost the entire length of ventral edge. Ven- 
tral edge pitted and grooved near wing and at base; grooves narrow. Dorsal 
edge pitted and sometimes has very short grooves. Canals about half way 
between inner and outer surface. medium to small, round, rather numerous. 
Fibers small to medium. Inner surface of shell medium to dark brown. 
Ventral streak dark brown, short, medium in width, wide and blunt at base, 
usually tapering slightly from near middle to base of streak. 
Kernel: Varies in size; average large (13 by $ by 2 inches). Very few 
doubles (2 to 5 per cent). Kernel completely fills shell cavity. Shape 
variable; very long, rather flat, oval or ovate, widest and thickest near 
middle. Ventral edge much curved, thin, but more plump than dorsal, fre- 
quently with sides sloping from middle to apex. Dorsal edge rather straight 
and thin. Dorsal shoulder rounding and above base scar. Ventral shoulder 
sloping with very long slope. Apex thin, blunt, with small sharp tip. Pel- 
licle thin, medium tender, light to dark brown in color; pubescence abun- 
dant, short; veins very distinct: base scar dark brown, variable in size 
and shape, but distinct; medium heavy pellicle fold. Flavor sweet, at- 
tractive, excellent. 
Distinguishing characteristics—Nuts very long and narrow; ventral edge 
bulging in middle; dorsal edge generally recurved at some portion; base and 
apex tapering, base much constricted and usually depressed on ventral edge; 
pits numerous but shallow: shell very thick and hard; kernel very long. One 
of the easiest varieties to identify. 
