


ALMOND VARIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES 10 BS 
from base downward or from apex upward, the former being the most com- 
mon; cracks frequently appear on sides. Ripens September 10 to October 10. 
Hulled nut.—(Pl. XIII, A.) Size small to medium (13 by % by 4% to 14 
by lve by té inches; average, 12 by 1 by té inches). Number of nuts to the 
pound, 130 to 150. Percentage of kernel to shell in hand-cracked samples, 47. 
Shape: Wide-ovate or oval; varies much in thickness. Ventral edge plump, 
curved, nearly circular; varies somewhat in curve, usually curves more at 
apex and base than in middle. Usually broad, shallow longitudinal depres- 
sion on one side of wing, especially near apex, with elevated ridge outside of 
depression. Outer shell joins wing at considerable angle, making the flange 
bluntly wedge shaped in cross section. Flange thick. Wing medium promi- 
nent to prominent, tendency to recede near base, most prominent near apex. 
Dorsal edge much curved, curved most near apex; dorsal ridge narrow and 
prominent. Base has tendency to be flat; wide and broadly rounded; dorsal 
shoulder drops off suddenly a short distance from stem scar; ventral shoulder 
rounded; stem scar rather small, wide oval, slightly depressed; at nearly right 
angles to axis or sloping slightly, either ventrally or dorsally. Apex broad and 
widely pointed to round; dorsal and ventral edges curve much at apex, the 
ventral edge curving the more. 
Shell: Varies somewhat in texture; averages soft, frequently hard enough 
to render cracking with fingers impossible. Outer shell medium thick, varying 
from spongy to quite hard. Outer surface yellowish brown. Pits numerous, 
small, mostly round, present on the dorsal edge, even on the dorsal ridge. Some 
pits on ventral flange. Short oblique grooves of varying depth present on ven- 
tral edge, as well as short, fine, shallow grooves at base. Dorsal ridge marked 
with very short grooves. Canals medium in number and size, wide oval. Net- 
work of fibers rather small. Fibers average small. Inner shell medium in 
thickness and hard. Inner surface medium dark brown, undulated, or shortly 
corrugated. Ventral streak light brown, short to long, narrow to medium in 
width, tapering from middle to apex and from middle to base; base acuminate. 
Kkernel: Medium size to quite large (average, 1 by $ by 2 inch) ; some doubles 
(14 per cent). Shape somewhat variable, rather flat, short, wide-ovate or 
oblong-oval; ventral edge usually curving more than dorsal. Base round; 
dorsal shoulder with tendency to be slightly sloping. Apex thin, round, usually 
slightly tapering. Pellicle light brown, thin, quite tough, thickly covered with 
short, coarse pubescence; veins distinct to indistinct; pellicle fold rather 
small on apex third or apex half of ventral edge; base scar small to large, 
round or oval, indistinct to prominent. Frequently single kernels have de- 
pression in one side, due to tendency to form doubles. Flavor slightly sweet, 
fair. 
Distinguishing characteristics—This nut is easily identified by its shape, 
character of outer shell, and the numerous small pits (see description), 
COMMENTS 
This variety, which is grown commercially in the Sacramento Valley, is not 
as widely planted as the Routier, to which it is superior. It bears heavily on 
the average, although it is somewhat irregular. The main bad points of this 
variety are its late-ripening habit, the unattractive shell, and quite a number of 
double kernels. On the whole, the variety is so far inferior to the better 
kinds, as the I. X. L. and Nonpareil, that it should not be planted. 
62. RICE (RICE’S SOFT SHELL, RICE’S SEEDLING) 
Origin.—Grown at one time to a limited extent near Newcastle, Calif. It 
was distributed from there to various parts of the Sacramento and San 
Joaquin Valleys, where a few of the trees of the variety still exist. 
Description 
Hulled nut.—(Pl. XIII, B.) Size small to medium (average, 13 by % by 3 
inches). 
Shape: Ovoid, with sharply tapering and pointed apex. Ventral edge much 
curved, being less curved at apex than elsewhere; wing very thin, medium 
prominent. Dorsal edge plump, gently curved, slightly recurved at apex. Base 
plump, round; dorsal shoulder drops off suddenly; ventral shoulder plump, 
round, slightly sloping; stem scar small, narrow, oval, at right angles to axis 
