
ALMOND VARIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES 07 
Hulled nut.—(Pl. X, E.) Size variable, medium to large (12 by % by 4 to 
24 by 14 by # inches). Number of nuts to the pound, 130 to 230. Percentage 
of kernel to shell in hand-cracked samples, 55 to 62, depending upon the sea- 
son; machine cracked, orchard run, 43. 
Shape: Rather flat; long oval to oval-ovate (viewed edgewise, oval, sides fre- 
quently unsymmetrical). Axis one-fourth way from dorsal to ventral edge. 
Ventral edge moderately thin; much curved, usually most sharply curved at 
base and apex; wing thin, long, recurved at apex; flange thick at base; varies 
as to prominence; usually prominent, increasingly prominent from middle to 
apex; decreasing in prominence from middle to base; at base, wing generally 
only slightly elevated, although occasionally slightly prominent. Dorsal edge 
straight or only slightly curving; tendency to be flat rather than plump but 
varies much in this respect; dorsal ridge narrow to medium in width, medium 
prominent. Base rather thin, truncate or broadly round, at right angles to axis 
or slightly ventrally sloping; dorsal shoulder square; ventral shoulder sharply 
rounding; stem scar small to large oval, at right angles to axis or ventrally 
sloping; seldom sloping dorsally. Apex pointed, ending in long, sharp, thin 
wing; the recurving pointed wing and curved ventral edge give apex a scimitar 
shape. 
Shell: Very soft; texture varies somewhat with season; outer shell of 
medium thickness, often soft and crumbly, frequently firm. If not harvested 
at the right time, outer shell adheres to hull to a considerable extent. Outer 
surface grayish brown or light brown. Pits medium to numerous in number; 
medium to large in size; variable in shape, mostly round; variable in depth. 
Short grooves on ventral edge and at base. Canals medium in size, round 
or oval. Fibers medium in size. Inner shell rather thin, hard, and tough, 
undulating dark-brown surface, much darker than outer surface of shell as a 
rule. Ventral streak medium to dark brown, usually narrow, short; base end 
acute to acuminate. 
Kernel: Some doubles (14 to 17 per cent), size medium to large (1 by 4 by 
+ to 11 by 2 by i inches), usually do not completely fill shell. Shape rather 
flat, oval or ovate oval; edges have a tendency to be straight near middle. 
(When viewed edgewise shape is a long oval with rather straight sides.) 
Ventral edge a little shorter than dorsal and more curved, especially at apex. 
Base broadly round or Slightly square; dorsal shoulder thin, round, or square; 
ventral shoulder round or sloping. Apex thin, broad, obtuse, with small sharp 
point. Pellicle medium to dark reddish brown in color, medium thick, rather 
tough, covered with pubescence which is very short at base and long and thick 
near apex; veining usually distinct at base; pellicle fold small to medium; 
stem scar dark brown, medium in size, wide oval in shape. The variety has a 
tendency to form gummy or defective kernels. Kernel wrinkles much in drying. 
Fiavor slightly sweet, fairly good. 
Distinguishing characteristics —Nut very long, somewhat pointed at both 
ends; ventral edge curved most near base; wing prominent, being least promi- 
nent at base and most prominent at apex; dorsal ridge thin and prominent; 
ventral edge nearly straight in middle; stem scar sloping ventrally or at right 
angles to axis; dorsal shoulder square, ventral shoulder curved; apex ends 
in a distinctly long, thin, recurved point. Kernel rather large, long, flat, oval, 
or oval-ovate, edges inclined to be straight near middle, apex thin and broad 
with small point, dorsal shoulder frequently square, pellicle reddish brown, 
with very long, thick pubescence at apex decreasing until very short at base. 
COMMENTS 
This variety is especially valuable as a pollinizer of the Nonpareil. It 
has, however, many defects. It is fastidious as to soil and moisture require- 
ments. It has many double kernels and many that are blank, gummy, or de- 
formed (blanks and defectives 3 to 10 per cent, depending on season). The 
nut has a tendency to be shrunken or open or to be gummy at the apex. It 
was believed that the tree produced a larger proportion of gummy nuts when 
it bore a heavy crop than when the crop was light, but this has been shown not 
to be the case. It is known that the nuts gum worse when moisture is 
lacking, when sap circulation is disturbed for any reason, or when prolonged 
hot, dry winds occur during the early growth of the nuts. The variety bears 
better in some districts than in others. It appears to do better on the west 
side of the Sacramento Valley than on the east side. It does not do well in the 
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