90 BULLETIN 1282, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
medium to dark brown in color. Ventral streak light to medium brown in color, 
medium width, short, blunt base and abruptly acute apex. 
Kernel: Rather large (average, 13 by 4 by 4 inches). Doubles common 
(16 per cent). Rather plump. Oval or oval-ovate. Edges frequently straight 
near -middle. Dorsal edge longer than ventral. Base rounding; dorsal 
shoulder round or square; ventral shoulder sloping. Apex usually plump 
and blunt. but sometimes acute. Pellicle medium brown to dark brown, medium 
in thickness; covered with short pubescence; veining generally distinct; pel-_ 
licle fold usually small and short, extending one-fourth to ene-third the way 
from apex to base; baSe scar small to medium, usually prominent, round, 
oval, or triangular. Kernel wrinkles considerably in drying. Flavor fairly 
good with very slight bitter tinge. 
“Distinguishing characteristics —Shape oval, pointed and constricted at base, 
stem scar ventrally sloping, wing prominent, size of nuts variable, ventral 
streak short. some doubles (12 to 20 per cent) ; flavor slightly bitter. 
This variety is frequently mistaken for the Ne Plus Ultra, but the apex 
of the nut in La Prima is more blunt as a rule; the Kernels have less pubes- 
eence and a characteristic bitter flavor. 
COMMENTS 
The quality of the kernel, size of the nut, and average yield of the La 
Prima are superior to those of the Ne Plus Ultra. The variety appears to be 
quite as good a pollinizer for the Nonpareil and I. X. L. as is the Ne Plus 
Ultra. The nuts of La Prima, on the other hand, vary in size and are 
difficult to handle properly at harvest time. If knocked early, they do not 
dry well, but are very apt to mold. If harvested late, most of the nuts will 
be sticktights and difficult to hull. On account of these defects the variety is 
not liked by growers. 
46. LASSEN 
Origin.—The Lassen was propagated from a seedling by A. M. Newland, of 
Colusa, Calif., about 1888. It was named after Peter Lassen, who ran the first 
trail to Mount Lassen and was the first white man in that section of California. 
Trees of this variety were planted for the most part in the Colusa district, 
where a number of them are still to be found. There are also a few trees in 
the Davis, Winters, and Lodi sections. Some growers confuse the variety 
with Routier. 
Description 
TREE 
Quite upright; moderately vigorous grower; branches grow straight. Foliage 
below average in density. 
Bearing habit.—Averages light crops. On spurs, mostly on wood 2 to 4 years 
old. Spurs medium in diameter ($ inch) and in length (4 inch). Disk nearly 
round, + inch in diameter. 
NUT 
Immature nut.—Size small te medium (averages 14 by 1 by ? inches). Shape 
ovate. Ventral edge curving, usually without ridge or a very slight one; 
Suture depression a mere line. Dorsal edge curving less than ventral. Base 
broad, round, slightly sloping dorsally. Apex bluntly pointed; style remains 
until late. 
Hull: Outer surface green, turning yellowish as it dehisces; pubeseence 
abundant, coarse, short, gray, woolly. Inner surface pale green, rapidly turning 
brown as hull opens. Dehiscence starts on ventral edge. Dorsal edge cracks 
from base a short distance downward. One half of hull usually dries much 
faster than the other. Ventral edges roll inward, curving inward at apex. 
When thoroughly dehisced hulls have an open, twisted appearance. Dehisces 
August 8 to 25. 
Hulled nut.—(Pl. X, A.) Size small to medium (average, 14 by § by & 
inches). Number of nuts to the pound, 200 to 250. Percentage of kernel to 
nut in hand-cracked samples, 45. 
Shape: Medium in plumpness, wide ovate, axis one-fourth the distance from 
dorsal to ventral edge; (viewed edgewise, long ovate). Ventral edge much 
curved; wing thin, prominent, quite prominent at base. Dorsal edge plump; 
