
ALMOND VARIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES 47 
COMMENTS 
The Drake almond owes most of its popularity to its value as a pollinizer 
for other varieties, particularly the Nonpareil. The Drake has many undesir- 
able qualities. The tree is so scraggly and spreading that it is difficult to 
prune and keep it in proper shape. It appears to be especially susceptible to 
diseases and pests, such as apricot brown-rot, crown-gall, and red-spider infes- 
tations. It has a marked tendency to alternate bearing (producing a heavy. 
crop one year and a light one the next). The nuts are somewhat unattractive 
in appearance, have a small percentage of kernel to shell, are rather poor in 
quality, and have some double kernels. The fact that there is no better pol- 
linizer for the Nonpareil and none that equals it in average production, when 
a period of years is taken into account, has ted to the creation of a market 
for the Drake as a second-rate nut. It is probable that in the future the 
market will be more particular in demanding almonds of good size and quality 
with whole kernels and that the tendency will be to base the price more and 
more on the percentage of kernel to shell. Plantings of the Drake should not 
be extended. When necessary to plant the variety as a pollinizer of the Non- 
pareil, it will be well to limit the Drake to one-fourth or one-third the number 
of Nonpareil trees planted. 
20. EL SUPREMO 
Origin.—A variety propagated from a seedling grown on the Wolfskill ranch 
in the Suisun district. At one time there were a large number of orchards 
producing the variety, but only occasional trees are now found. 
Description 
Hulled nut.—(Pl. 1V,C.) Size varies much, averages large (2 by 1 by 2 
inches). Number to the pound, 200 to 250. Percentage of kernel to nut in 
hand-cracked samples, 48. 
Shape: Thin; long pointed oval; viewed edgewise, nut is oval, frequently 
with unsymmetrical sides. Ventral edge gently and evenly curved, curving 
most sharply at base and apex; wing thin, a mere line at base next to stem 
scar, gradually increasing in prominence, becoming very prominent at apex, 
ending in an acute, thin, sharp, recurving, scimitar-shaped point at apex. 
Dorsal edge almost straight, sharply recurving at apex; dorsal ridge very 
narrow and prominent. Base slightly tapering and constricted; dorsal shoul- 
der square but small; ventral shoulder round and sloping; stem scar small to 
large, round or wide oval; at right angles to axis or slightly sloping ventrally. 
Apex very long and sharp pointed; wing ending in thin, long, sharp, scimitar- 
like point. Dorsal edge recurving at extreme apex. 
Shell: Very soft; outer shell thin, soft, and spongy, light yellow brown. 
Pits medium in number, medium to large in size, irregular in shape. Surface 
between pits stippled. Medium length grooves on ventral edge oblique to wing 
and medium narrow small grooves at base. Canals very small and incon- 
spicuous. Inner shell very thin, papery, and brittle. Inner surface medium 
dark brown. Ventral streak dark brown, short to medium in length, narrow, 
with acute or acuminate base end. 
Kernels: Many deformed; a considerable number of double kernels. Ker- 
nel seldom fills shell cavity. Rather large (average, 14 by 3 by 4 inches). 
Wrinkles much in drying. Flat, long oval, or oval ovate. Dorsal and ventral 
edges curve gently as a rule, but vary much. Base flat, round or slightly trun- 
eate. Apex round or bluntly pointed. Pellicle medium to dark brown; thick 
coarse pubescence abundant and coarse on apex half, gradually decreasing 
toward base; pellicle fold rather large on apex third or half of ventral edge; 
base scar small, narrow, dark brown. Flavor slightly sweet, rather poor. 
Distinguishing characteristics——Resembles the Ne Plus Ultra quite closely. 
It differs from the Ne Plus Ultra in having a much more pointed, scimitar- 
shaped apex, in the longer kernel, and in having more double kernels. 
COMMENTS 
The somewhat inferior flavor of the kernel, large proportion of double 
kernels, and tendency to bear deformed nuts and kernels are points against 
the variety. It has been disappearing year by year until it is only occasionally 
found where it was once quite common. 
