120 BULLETIN 1282, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
Inner shell hard but thin; surface dark brown, covered with short deep undula- 
tions. Ventral streak very dark brown, short, wide, with wide blunt base 
end. 
Kernel: Size medium to large (average, 1 by 4 by #s inch). Many double 
kernels (50 per cent). Single kernels medium in size (1 by 4 by # inch). 
Shape flat, long oblong-oval. Ventral edge curved the entire length and about 
the same in length as the dorsal, more curved at base and apex than in middle. 
Dorsal edge straight in middle, curving considerably at base and apex for 
short distance, but not so much curved at these parts as ventral edge. Base 
round; dorsal shoulder thin, sharply rounding and gently curved; ventral 
shoulder slightly curved. Apex curved sharply from middle of ventral edge 
to tip of apex. Dorsal edge curved sharply for a short distance at apex. 
Pellicle dark brown, thin, medium tough; veins distinct or indistinct, covered 
-with very short, coarse pubescence; pellicle fold on apex third of ventral edge 
small; base scar dark brown, small to large, wide oval. Flavor slightly sweet ; 
rather inferior. 
Distinguishing characteristics.—The shape of this nut places it in the group 
containing the California Jordan, Eureka, Favorite, Gilt Edge, and Sellers. 
(See these varieties for points of difference.) 
COMMENTS 
This nut has a large percentage of kernel to shell, but a large percentage 
of the kernels are doubles. Blooms late, about the same time as Texas and 
Languedoc (March 5 to March 30). It is rather hard to harvest. The variety 
has little to recommend it. 
67. SILVERSHELL 
Origin—A California seedling variety, originated about 1890. The exact 
locality of origin is not certain. Most of the orchards of the variety were 
planted from 1893 to 1900. ‘The Silvershell is no longer popular. At the 
present time most trees of the variety are found near Woodland, Yolo, and 
Davis, Calif. 
Description 
TREE 
A small, weak grower, spreading (ratio of height of head to width, 1:14), 
scraggly ; rather open, something like Lewelling in shape. Trunk small, weak 
grower, short; bark rough with cracks close together, exfoliates in small flakes. 
Main branches.—Short, rather stocky, with tendency to have short flat de- 
pressions and to grow zigzag. Branching angle very wide. Wood tough. Bark 
rather smooth except on old branches, yellow brown, exfoliating in small 
flakes; often striated with gray on young branches. 
Twigs.—Medium in length, rather stocky, quite flexible. Branching angle 
very wide. Wood tough. Nodes large. Internodes quite long (4 to 24 inches). 
Wood tough. Bark medium in thickness, medium dark green, turning to 
rusty reddish brown in autumn. 
Lenticels—Very numerous, vary much in size, average small (v7 by $4 to 
vs by i inch on bark 8 to 10 years old) ; wide and short, curving sides, bluntly 
acute ends, raised, light gray, cracks longitudinally through center, but sur- 
face of lenticels is seldom very rough. On young wood lenticels very numerous, 
much raised, light ash gray, very conspicuous. 
Foliage.—Tree apt to be rather open, foliage lacks density. Leaves recurve 
and curve up along midrib. (See Pl. XIX, B.) 
Blade: Size varies, averages small (# by 4 to 14 by 3} inches). Width varies, 
averages very wide (ratio of width to length, 2:5). Shape ovate-elliptical 
or obovate. Base obtuse to moderately acute; origin of margins symmetrical 
or nearly so. Apex bluntly acute. (Apex one-half or two-thirds of blade usually 
tapering.) Margins coarsely and deeply crenate; bristles wide, fairly long. 
Upper surface of blade glossy light green. Lower surface light dull green, 
somewhat lighter in color than upper. Midrib medium, heavy and prominent, 
pale green. Veins moderately distinct. 
Petiole: Quite long (average ~ inch; ratio of length of petiole to length of 
blade, 3:10); medium slender, flexible, pale green, slightly tinged with scarlet 
red in autumn. Groove narrow and shallow to medium in depth. Glands, 
