
ALMOND VARIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES 81 
Buds free, large, plump in middle, slightly constricted at base, apex long and 
blunt; scales reddish brown, large, very thin, rather brittle, with very small 
amount of pubescence on edges. 
NUT 
Immature nut.—Size rather small (14 by 1% by 7 inches). Shape irregular 
broad ovate, slightly cordate on ventral side of axis, oval on dorsal side. 
(Edgewise view ovate.) Ventral edge curves sharply, most curved near base; 
exceedingly smooth; suture depression distinct, narrow, medium in depth the 
entire length of ventral edge. Dorsal edge curved, but less than ventral. 
Base plump, broad, somewhat truncate, sloping dorsally; stem cavity broad 
($ inch), medium in depth (35 inch). Apex sharply rounding like point of an 
egg; sometimes slightly depressed, but generally full and round; style drops 
early; rudiment medium in size, pubescent. 
Hull: Outer surface green; pubescence abundant, short, quite coarse, gray, 
and pointing toward apex. Inner surface grayish green when dehiscence 
starts, frequently pink at suture; changes to light brown as dehiscence con- 
tinues. Dehisces along ventral edge first, then cracks appear at either or 
both ends of dorsal edge; dorsal edge frequently cracks entire length, dividing 
the hull in halves, but more often it remains attached at its middle or through- 
out most of its length; other cracks usually occur, especially at base; these 
may run lengthwise of the hull, transversely or obliquely. The hull spreads 
out wide as a rule; ventral edges curve inward, and when divided in halves 
both ventral and dorsal edges curve inward, frequently curving more on one 
side than on the other. Dehisces August 5 to September 15, depending on 
season and locality. 
Hulled nut—(Pl. IX, A.) Quite small to medium (averages 1% by % by 3 
inches). Number to the pound, 245 to 275. Percentage of kernel to nut in 
hand-cracked samples, 60 to TO. 
Shape: Ovate with sharp tapering apex; part to wing side of axis slightly 
cordate; (viewed edgewise, plump, ovate with bulging sides). Ventral edge 
gradually and evenly curved, with a tendency to straighten at apex; wing thin 
and very prominent along entire ventral edge, less pronounced at shoulder 
than in California. Dorsal edge plump, curved slightly. Curve is usually in- 
creased at immediate apex. Base varies in plumpness, wide, sloping sharply 
dorsally; stem scar narrow, long, variable in size (average small), sharply 
dorsally sloping. Apex fairly plump, but much more pointed than in California. 
When loose portion of outer shell is removed, apex is seen to have a rather 
long, Sharp point, curving ventrally. 
Shell: Paper; outer shell thin, spongy, flaky; much of it adhering to hull 
in hulling. Outer surface various shades of brown, usually light brown, fre- 
quently with reddish tinge. Pits frequently missing on account of flaky sur- 
face. Inner shell thin, inner surface light brown, slightly undulating, ventral 
streak iong, dark brown, very wide, sides gradually increasing in curve from 
middle to base, base end rounding. Fibers coarse. 
Kernel: Some doubles (3 to 5 per cent). Size medium to large (average 
1 by 2 by #4 inch), plump, ovate with tapering apex. Both dorsal and ventral 
edges curved; nearly equal in curve at apex. Dorsal edge longer than ventral. 
Ventral edge plump. Dorsal shoulder square, sloping, and either below or 
on level with base scar. Ventral shoulder round, plump, sloping abruptly 
from base scar; base scar as in the California is at highest portion of kernel. 
Apex pointed and somewhat cuneiform in both side and edge views. Pellicle 
thin, veins very distinct; pubescence fine and short (much less pubescence 
than in the California) ; pellicle fold quite heavy on apex half of ventral edge; 
base scar large, dark brown, round or oval. Flavor flat; very slightly sweet. 
Distinguishing characteristics—In shape the King nut closely resembles 
the California, Klondike, and Princess. It also resembles the Silvershell and 
Nonpareil. 
For points of difference between the California and King, see distinguishing 
characteristics under California. 
- The close resemblance of the King nut to the Klondike is remarkable. The 
base of the King is sharply sloping dorsally and that of the Klondike only 
slightly dorsally sloping; in the King the base of ventral streak is wide, while 
in the Klondike it is frequently tapering; the kernel of the King is more 
cuneiform at the apex, and the pellicle is more pubescent. The King is much 
inferior in flavor to the Klondike. 
99729 °—24——_6 

