
ALMOND VARIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES is 
frequently entire dorsal edge cracks, leaving the halves of the hull attached 
to each other at apex; ventral edges frequently pink at first; ventral edges 
curl inward near middie; all the rest of the cracked surface tends to spread 
outward, giving the hull a twisted appearance. Ripens August 15 to Sep- 
tember 10. 
Hulled nut.—(P1. XII, #.) Size varies much, exceedingly small in dry seasons 
and very large in wet Seasons. In normal seasons size average large (13 by 
14 by $ inches). Number of nuts to the pound, 85 to 200. Percentage of 
kernel to nut in hand-cracked samples, 28. 
Shape: Somewhat variable; flat to plump; part on ventral side of axis 
ovate (edgewise view ovate or ovate-oval; tapering at base and apex). Ven- 
tral edge usually rather thin; curve varies, but always much curved; wing 
medium to thick, prominent throughout entire length of ventral edge; usually 
very prominent from middle to near apex; ventral edge has wide crease, 
outside of which are two coarse ridges running parallel to the wing the entire 
length. Dorsal edge straight or with very Slight curve, tendency to curve 
at the apex, straight at the base; dorsal ridge narrow and prominent, espe- 
cially at dorsal shoulder. Base constricted when viewed edgewise, wing 
prominent on ventral shoulder clear to stem scar; dorsal shoulder very square 
and thin, but does not project much from edge of stem scar; stem scar long, 
narrow, depressed; slightly but distinctly dorsally sloping, very seldom at right 
angles to axis. Apex broadly pointed and quite thin, with prominent, much- 
curved wing, although at the extreme tip the wing is less prominent than 
elsewhere; dorsal edge curves in at immediate apex; ventral edge curves from 
middle to apex. : 
Shell: Hard; both inner and outer shell thick and hard. Pits numerous, 
rather large, mostly round, deep; small round pits and short marks on ven- 
tral edge. Base creased and grooved, frequently the smaller grooves are 
bunched in large corrugations. Wide, pronounced depression runs along the 
ventral edge from the base scar to the extreme apex; along the 
outside of each depression is a heavy, prominent ridge. Wing grooved with 
coarse short grooves. ‘Texture of shell between deep pits usually hard and 
bony, with round marks somewhat smaller in size than deep pits. Color of 
the outer shell light to medium brown. A little spongy material between the 
outer and inner Shell. Canals large, rather few in number, round or oval. 
Fibers very large, network coarse. Inner surface corrugated or undulated; 
light to medium brown; usually with a light straw-colored streak bordering 
the ventral streak on each side. Ventral Streak dark brown, wide, long, apex 
acuminate, tapering from middle to base, making the base end a long, taper- 
ing, acute point. 
Kernels: Practically all double. Size average large (14 by 2 by 2 inches). 
Pellicle thin, usually cinnamon brown in color, covered with fine pubescence. 
Flavor pleasant, slightly nutty and sweet, excellent. 
Distinguishing characteristics.—Easily identified. Ventral edge much curved, 
wing prominent, usually very prominent from middle to near apex, less 
prominent at extreme apex than elsewhere, wide depression and prominent 
ridges throughout entire length of ventral edge, short, oblique, coarse grooves 
on flange; dorsal edge rather thin; dorsal ridge prominent, curved short at 
apex, straight at base; axis very near to dorsal edge; base slightly con- 
stricted, grooved and corrugated, stem scar long and narrow, sloping slightly 
dorsally or at right angles to the axis; kernels nearly all doubles, covered 
with fine pubescence. 
COMMENTS 
The tree varieS much in production and size of nuts. When there is abun- 
dant moisture present in the soil the nuts will be exceedingly large and almost 
all the kernels double. In periods of drought the nuts will be small and 
many of the kernels single. Sometimes in exceedingly dry seasons the nuts 
may not average as much as one-half inch in length. The size of the nuts 
seem to be more affected by moisture supply than is the case in other varieties. 
Although the kernel has an excellent flavor, the large proportion of doubles, 
somewhat heavy shell, variation in size of nuts, and erratic bearing habit of 
the variety are against it. It should not be planted commercially. 
99729 °—24 8 

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L,I SA SF OER ETT 
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