
ALMOND VARIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES 101 
Shell: Paper; color variable, light to dark brown; outer shell thin, soft, 
brittle, crumbly, easily broken and chipped off in hulling and handling; fre- 
quently flaky in appearance. Pits numerous, varying in size, shape, and depth ; 
present clear to the dorsal ridge; often obscured by flaky material or torn off 
with outer shell in hulling. Canals medium to large, oval. Fibers coarse. 
Shallow grooves run out on wing. Inner shell thin. Inner surface undulating, 
light to dark brown, frequently lighter in color than outer surface. Ventral 
streak medium to dark brown, long, narrow, usually depressed with a light- 
colored line along each side; base end peculiarly pointed, streak narrowing 
from middle to base, giving the base a long, acuminately pointed shape. 
Kernel: Very seidom double (less than 4 per cent). Size medium to quite 
large (average, 1 by 2 by vw inch). Rather thin, does not usually quite fill 
entire shell cavity. Very attractive in appearance. Shape oblong-ovate; both 
dorsal and ventral edges only slightly curved near middle. Ventral edge 
usually curved more at apex than dorsal; dorsal edge much longer than ventral. 
Base flat, usually round, ventral shoulder round and abruptly sloping from 
base sear; dorsal shoulder round with curved portion above base scar; apex 
wide, obtuse, but always with sharp mucronate tip. Pellicle light to dark brown, 
thin, tender, smooth; (the very smooth pellicle is distinctive of this variety) ; 
veining very distinct; pellicle fold small in size, on apex third of ventral edge; 
base scar medium in size, very dark brown, usually round. Flavor pleasant, 
sweet, fairly good. 
Distinguishing characteristics—A combination of the following character- 
istics is distinctive: Paper shell; flat, ovate shape of nut; base sloping ventrally 
or at right angles to axis, small stem scar. Kernel with smooth pellicle, vein- 
ing distinct. Round base, often with square shoulder, wide apex ending in 
mucronate point. 
The Nonpareil is sometimes confused with the California, King, Klondike, 
Silvershell, and Princess. It may be easily told from these by its more pointed 
base, sloping ventrally or at right angles to axis, and by the oblong-ovate 
shape of the kernel with rather straight sides. The pellicle of the Nonpareil 
is smoother than that of any other variety. 
COMMENTS 
Past experience and present indications go to show that the Nonpareil is 
the best of all varieties for California. As it is popular in the market, there 
is apparently no danger of overproduction of the variety. The kernel is attrac- 
tive in appearance, has a smooth pellicle, and a sufficiently good flavor to be 
desired by the purchaser. Furthermore, the nut has a paper shell, produces 
a large percentage of kernels, cracks well, and has scarcely any doubles. It 
brings the highest price on the market of any of the California varieties. The 
variety is well adapted to every California almond-growing section except the 
Oakley district, where it has not borne well. The trees as a rule are remark- 
ably even and satisfactory in bearing, except in seasons when frosts injure 
the blossoms. Although it does not yield as much in weight as some of the 
hard-shelled varieties (owing to its paper shell), the difference in price more 
than makes up for the lack of weight when averaged over a term of years. 
There is no doubt that in the future the price of almonds will be more largely 
based upon the percentage of kernel to shell than is the case at present. The 
Nonpareil should then bring a higher price in comparison with other varieties 
than it has in the past. It seems that in the absence of a better variety 
growers will do well to plant as many Nonpareil trees as possible. At least 
one-half the trees in the orchard should be Nonpareil, or better two-thirds, 
enough of other suitable varieties being planted to insure pollination. For 
the latter purpose Ne Plus Ultra has been a favorite where it does well. As 
the I. X. L. is intersterile with Nonpareil it can not be used for pollinating 
that variety. Other varieties which bloom at approximately the same period 
and which can be used to pollinate the Nonpareil are Lewelling, Jordan, 
Peerless, California, King, Klondike, Princess, Drake, and probably Eureka. 
While the latter variety has not been scientifically tested out as a pollinizer 
of the Nonpareil over a long period, observations to date indicate that it is 
adapted to that purpose. 
The chief defect of the Nonpareil is that owing to its paper shell it is espe- 
cially subject to the depredations of birds. For the same reason in many sec- 
tions it has been infested recently by the peach worm. It is probable that 
spraying will have to be resorted to in order to keep down the pest, 
