
ALMOND VARIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES 123 
Usually no ridge or only a faint suggestion of one; frequently shallow, ventral 
grooves each side of suture. Suture depression shallow (¢< inch) and nar- 
row (is inch). Dorsal edge gently curved; when present dorsal ridge most 
prominent at dorsal shoulder. Base bluntly round; dorsally sloping; frequently 
slightly corrugated and often with slight ventral ridge; ventral shoulder round, 
rather thin, projecting above level of disk; stem cavity ss to 7s inch deep and 
vs to 2 inch in diameter. Apex bluntly round; style drops early; rudiment 
small to medium in. size. 
Hull: Outer surface green, turning yellow and finely brown; frequently 
lightly grooved; pubescence medium in length, gray, coarse, felty. Dehisces 
first along ventral edge; dorsal edge cracks at base or apex, and both commonly 
crack throughout its entire length, the edges of the halves curling inward, the 
halves remaining attached at the base. Cracks also occur at other places on 
hull. Ripens last of August and early September. 
Hulled nut—(Pl. XIV, A.) Size varies somewhat, rather small to large 
(14 by ¢ by & to 2 by 14 by té inches). Small in dry seasons. Number of nuts 
to the pound, 120 to 200. 
Shape: Flat, wide ovate. Ventral edge thin, much curved, curve usually 
slightly less in middle than at apex and base; flange and wing prominent to 
medium prominent throughout entire length of ventral edge; flange thick 
near nut; wing thin. One side of ventral edge more rounded than the other, 
causing flange to appear more prominent on one side than on the other. Dorsal 
edge moderately curved, curved most near apex, rather thin; dorsal ridge 
narrow and rather prominent. Base thin, broad; stem scar large, long, and 
dorsally sloping. Apex thin, wide, bluntly pointed, slightly scimitar shaped; 
wing prominent at tip and approaching axis at wide angle; dorsal edge curved 
in sharply, slightly recurved at immediate apex. 
Shell: Soft; color dark reddish brown; texture varies somewhat with seasons, 
being harder in dry years; outer shell very brittle and crumbly or spongy, with 
tendency to adhere to hull; appears to be more spongy when grown on heavy 
soil than in case it is grown on light soil; chips off in hulling and shipping 
operations. Pits medium in number, large, round, or irregular, medium in 
depth. Shallow grooves on ventral edge nearly parallel to wing and short 
grooves at base. Canals medium in number, large; fibers coarse. Inner shell 
rather thin and hard. Inner surface dark brown, slightly undulating. Ventral 
streak medium in length to long, medium in width; wide at base with truncate 
or bluntly round basal end. Shell is frequently cracked or broken in harvest- 
ing operations, leaving kernels partially exposed. 
Kernel: Many doubles and deformed kernels (32 per cent). Large (aver- 
age 14 by 2 by + inches) flat kernels, slightly variable in width. Shape be- 
tween I. X. L. and Nonpareil kernels; flat; ovate. Both dorsal and ventral 
edges curved. Dorsal edge longer than ventral. Base rather flat, usually 
round, or with dorsal shoulder somewhat square and ventral shoulder slightly 
sloping. Apex rather thin, usually very bluntly pointed. Pellicle light to 
dark reddish brown; veins fairly distinct; pubescence very short; pellicle 
fold small, on apex half of ventral edge; base scar generally small, but 
prominent, dark brown, oval. Flavor distinctly sweet, pleasant, good. 
Distinguishing characteristics —Nut midway between Nonpareil and I. X. L. 
in shape; wing quite prominent, apex broadly pointed, base scar much sloping 
dorsally, shell reddish brown; kernels commonly with dorsal shoulder some- 
what square and humped and with deep irregular groove in one or both 
sides. 
The nut resembles in shape the Batham, Henle, I. X. L., and Trembath. 
For points of comparison of the first three, see distinguishing characteristics 
under those varieties. The Smith is distinguished from the Trembath by its 
softer shell and by its kernel with the humped dorsal shoulder and long 
crease in the side. 
COMMENTS 
This variety produces a_ large proportion of deformed and double kernels. 
The outer shell tends to scuff off, which is a disadvantage in shipping. The 
good flavor of the kernel, good bearing habit, and rather late blooming 
tendency are points in its favor. In appearance the nut is inferior to the 
I. X. L., but it has the advantage of producing well in the Oakley district, 
where the Hatch varieties do not yield satisfactorily. Under present condi- 
tions the Smith almond is not recommended for other districts or where better 
varieties will bear well. 



