
ALMOND VARIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES 138 
Lenticels—Very numerous, large (on wood 8 to 10 years old, 15 by 4+ to # 
by 4 inch). On level with surface of bark except on bark older than 8 years, 
where they are slightly raised. Gray; shape wide oval, tendency to have 
Straight sides near middle and bluntly acute ends; usually cracked longi- 
tudinally through middle. On young wood lenticels short with gently curved 
sides. Exceedingly numerous, rather large, and grayish green on twigs. 
Foliage-—Medium in density. Leaves medium in number on individual 
branches, inclined to curl and twist slightly. 
Blade: Variable in size (3 by 2 to 14 by 3% inches; average slightly under 
medium, ¢ to 2¢ inches; ratio of width to length, about 2:7). Shape elliptical, 
ovate, or obovate. Base acute or obtuse. Apex bluntly acute. Margins deeply 
and shortly crenate; bristles dark gray, broad. Midrib medium heavy and 
prominent, pale green. Veins distinct. Upper surface of blade glossy, medium 
deep green; lower surface light green. Frequently some bloom present. 
Petiole: Varies in length and thickness; average medium ({ inch; ratio of 
length of petiole to length of blade, about 2:7). Petiole green, but tinged 
with red in fall. Glands one to six, mostly two, small, oval, yellowish; on 
petiole near base of blade. 
Bearing habit—Bears quite well. Nuts frequently in clusters, mostly on 
wood 2 and 8 years old. Compound spurs sometimes live two years; long 
(1 to 14 inches). Single spurs long (4 to % inch); slender (32 to zs inch); 
expands very suddenly to oval disk (32 by ss inch). Buds free, medium size, 
short, plump in middle, tapering apex, base constricted; scales coarse, thick, 
rather small. 
NUT 
Immature nut.—Size small to medium (14 by 14 by € inches). Rather flat. 
Broad oval (part on ventral side of axis ovate; part on dorsal side oblong 
oval). Edgewise view, ovate. Ventral edge much curved, especially at apex; 
usually without ridge; one side frequently higher than other; ventral suture 
depression narrow (32 inch) and shallow (¢¢ inch), usually deepest at imme- 
diate base. Dorsal edge gently curved, narrow, tendency for slight bump or 
ridge to be present at apex. Base rounding or slightly truncate; sharply sloping 
dorsally, heavily grooved with short grooves, or scalloped; cavity deep 
(¢z inch), diameter (3% to % inch). Apex thin, truncate, slightly depressed ; 
style stays on late; rudiment small. 
Hull: Outer surface green, turning yellowish green and finally to dark gray- 
ish brown when dehiscing; pubescence abundant, short, fine, gray, felty. Inner 
surface light green, changing rapidly to dark brown. Dehisces on ventral edge 
only. Edges of hull rolls in along apex; one side of hull usually drying and 
curling faster than the other. Hull frequently cracks somewhat at various 
parts of the base. Ripening date, last of August and early September. 
Hulled nut.—(Pl. XV, D.) Size varies much, tends to run rather small (1 
by 2 by 2 to 12 by 1 by 2 inches) ; average small (14 by $ by 7 inches). Num- 
ber of nuts to the pound, 200 to 300. Percentage of kernel to nut in hand- 
cracked samples, 45. 
Shape: Varies much in plumpness, inclined to be flat; generally wide ovate, 
with part on ventral side of axis somewhat cordate (edgewise view, ovate 
with thin apex as a rule). Ventral edge much curved and longer than dorsal ; 
wing thin, prominent to medium prominent, being most prominent Near apex, 
but distinct clear .to stem scar. Dorsal edge plump, gently curved, with 
tendency to be straight in middle, curves abruptly near apex. Base medium 
plump, varies in width, usually wide, dorsally sloping; ventral shoulder higher 
than dorsal and round; dorsal shoulder short and sloping; stem scar narrow, 
long, depressed, sharply sloping dorsally. Apex varies, usually thin, generally 
tapering slightly. Extreme apex acutely rounded. 
Shell: Color dark to light reddish brown, usually dark; varies much in 
hardness; sometimes so soft as to be crumbly; sometimes somewhat hard and 
bony, especially when soil moisture is lacking in growing season. Frequently 
part of hull is left on the shell, giving a light-yellow flaky covering. Outer 
shell frequently knocked off in hulling. Pits variable in number, generally 
rather few, round, large, deep. Surface between pits stippled. Outer shell 
usually thin and has a tendency to be somewhat brittle, although many times 
smooth and hard. Canals moderately numerous, oval or round. Network 
moderately coarse. Fibers large. Inner shell thin, hard; surface undulating, 
yellowish brown in color, lighter in color than outer surface. Ventral streak 
very large, narrow, with long pointed apex and long pointed base. 

