chap, vii.] FRUIT-SHRUBS* 
237 
degree of hardness of the stone. The other 
part of the fruit is in all the varieties quite 
worthless; except for the prussic acid it 
contains. The prussic acid used in medicine 
is, however, made principally from the kernel 
of the bitter almond, though it does not 
exist in that of the sweet variety. Almond- 
trees are propagated by grafting either on 
almond or plum-stocks; they are frequently 
planted for the beauty of their flowers, which 
appear before the leaves, but they are seldom 
grown in England for their fruit; most of 
the almonds sold in London being imported 
from Italy or Spain. The Jordan almonds, 
which are considered the best, are brought 
from Malaga. The almond requires a dry 
soil, either sandy or calcareous; and the 
situation should be sheltered, as the branches 
are brittle and apt to be broken off* by high 
winds. When the stones are sown, care 
should be taken to press the sharp ends 
downwards. The young plants will not 
bear transplanting, as they will send down 
tap-roots two feet long the first season. 
Fruit-shrubs. —The principal fruit-shrubs 
grown in gardens are gooseberries, currants, 
