

ALMOND VARIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES a NAD 
generally two, seldom more, medium sized, globular, brownish yellow on 
petiole near base of blade. 
Bearing habit.—Inclined to be alternate in bearing habit, averages rather 
light crops, and the nuts are rather small in dry seasons. Bears on spurs on 
wood 2 to 5 years old and to a certain extent on 11-year-old laterals. Few com- 
pound spurs. Single spurs short to medium in length (% to 4 inch), slender to 
medium in thickness (average, $ inch) ; expands suddenly to large and dis- 
tinctly round disk 4 inch in diameter. Buds long, conical, bluntly tapering; 
scales dark reddish brown, thin, tough, with very small amount of pubescence 
on edges. 
NUT 
Immature nut.—Size rather small (14 by 14 by 1 inches). Shape wide oval; 
part on ventral side of axis wide oval, part on dorsal side long obovate; 
plump. Ventral edge much and evenly curved, almost circular; one side of 
ventral edge frequently more elevated than the other; slight crease sometimes 
present % inch fr6ém suture, giving edge a ridged appearance; suture distinct, 
the entire length of ventral edge, narrow (7s inch) and shallow (sz inch). 
Dorsal edge quite straight near base, curving more sharply near apex. Base 
tapers abruptly, slopes dorsally, has no cavity. Apex bluntly rounding for one- 
half the length of nut; style varies in the time it drops, from early to very 
late; rudiment small. 
Hull: Outer surface green, turning slightly yellowish as dehiscence pro- 
ceeds ; pinkish blotches common, and ventral edge at suture frequently pinkish 
at beginning of dehiscence, especially in times of drought; pubescence very 
abundant, fine, medium length, gray, felty. Dehiscence starts on ventral edge, 
and frequently ventral dehiscence is followed by cracks on dorsal edge; base 
part of hull usually curls outward and apex part inward. Time of dehiscence 
varies, even on Same tree, from August 5 to September 20. Sticktights com- 
mon. 
Hulled nut—(P1. XIII, F.) Size small (average, 1: by 3 by x6 inches). 
Number of nuts to the pound, 190 to 240. Percentage of kernel to nut in hand- 
cracked samples, 45. 
Shape: Wide ovate with tapering apex (part on ventral side of axis cordate; 
part on dorsal side long ovate). (Viewed edgewise, ovate with widest part 
near base.) Ventral edge curved most near base, gently curving from middle 
to apex, thin as a rule; wing medium prominent, thin. Dorsal edge curved 
gently, curving suddenly at apex; dorsal ridge rather narrow, medium 
prominent. Base plump, wide, quite sharply dorsally sloping; stem scar large, 
oval, depressed, sharply dorsally sloping; dorsal shoulder drops off suddenly 
from edge of stem scar; ventral shoulder rounded and elevated above stem 
sear. Apex tapering from near base to tip; markedly pointed. 
Shell: Rather hard, i. e., in the standard-shell class; outer shell medium 
thick, either hard and bony or somewhat crumbly; light ash-gray brown in 
color. Pits very numerous, especially on dorsal edge, medium to large, round 
and quite deep. Suture line frequently showing on dorsal edge. Short grooves 
on ventral edge and base. Slight corrugations at base. Canals medium in 
number, medium size, wide oval. Network of fibers fine. Fibers rather small. 
Inner shell thin to medium in thickness, very hard. Inner surface medium 
brown, darker than outer surface of nut. Ventral streak dark brown, medium 
in length to long, rather wide, with wide blunt or truncate base. 
Kernel: Some doubles (9 per cent). Size average, medium (% by is by #2 
inch). Shape plump, ovate, rather wide in proportion to length. Dorsal edge 
usually curved slightly more than ventral, curved sharply at apex. Base plump; 
ventral shoulder plump, round, much above dorsal; dorsal shoulder square and 
sloping much, often dished; ventral shoulder much above dorsal. Apex sharply 
tapering. Pellicle medium to dark brown; veins distinct; pubescence very 
short, medium in quantity; pellicle fold small along apex half of ventral edge; 
base scar very dark brown, rather large and prominent, round or wide oval. 
Flavor sweet, good. 
Distinguishing characteristics—This nut resembles in many ways the Cali- 
fornia, King, Klondike, and Princess. It alSo resembles the Philopena in shape 
and is even confused with the Nonpareil. It is easily distinguished from the 
varieties mentioned, except Philopena, by its relatively hard shell, light color 
of outer surface, and pointed apex. It can be distinguished from the 
Philopena because it is much smaller, (See descriptions of varieties men- 
tioned for other points. ) 

