50 
THE DRAKE SEEDLING ALMOND 
The skin is of a light yellow color when fully ripe. The flesh is yellow, ten¬ 
der, and of good quality. 
This variety is very attractive for table and fruit basket decorations as well 
as for its culinary uses and should be found in all family orchards. Can be 
planted in all sections of this state. 
Ripens in October. 
Smyrna IS one lading 
* varieties of quinces and 
was introduced from Smyrna, about 
the year 1897, by Mr. George C. Roe- 
ding, of Fresno, California. The tree 
is a strong, vigorous grower, possess¬ 
ing an abundance of foliage, which 
makes it very attractive from an orna¬ 
mental standpoint, as well as afford¬ 
ing ample protection for the fruit. On 
account of its dense foliage it is 
classed as the leader for planting in 
interior valley sections. 
The fruit is large and of beautiful 
lemon color. Flesh is tender with a 
delicious flavor and is an excellent 
variety for the making of preserves 
and jellies. 
Smyrna 
It is also considered valuable for 
market purposes on account of its 
attractive color and its good keeping 
qualities. Suitable for planting in all 
parts of California. Ripens Septem¬ 
ber to October. 
ALMONDS 
The culture of almonds in California exceeds all other varieties of nut-bear¬ 
ing trees, except the walnut. The crop in California for 1917 was over 6,600,- 
000 pounds of commercial nuts and of which over 75% was controlled by the 
California Almond Growers Association. As it is, we only supply 25% of 
the almond nuts used in this country, the other 75% being imported from 
Spain, Italy and France. 
The tree finds genial conditions throughout California in favored sections, 
free from late spring frosts, for its development of tree and nuts. 
It prefers a loose, light, warm, well-drained soil, as the roots penetrate 
deeply and will stand drouth better than if planted in heavy, moist soils. 
We grow these trees on almond and peach roots; the former should be 
planted in. the lighter and hillside soils while the peach root will stand the 
heavier soils. 
The largest almond section is found in the Sacramento Valley, but they are 
also being planted extensively in the San Joaquin Valley and in Paso Robles 
district of San Luis Obispo County. 
When planting, set the trees 25 feet apart and cut them back to twenty 
inches from the ground. 
The following winter thin out the limbs, leaving three or four to form the 
head of the tree and as far as possible have them properly distributed, cutting 
them back about one foot. The second winter’s pruning should be made by 
cutting back the new growth to one foot and leaving a few of the inside 
branches, provided, however, they do not crowd the interior of the tree. The 
following winter all the pruning required will be to thin out overlapping or 
crowded branches, and such pruning can be carried out in future years. 
Cross pollination is one of the most important features in planting almonds. 
The best fertilizing varieties are Drake’s Seedling and Texas Prolific and 
should be planted with such varieties as Nonpareil, IXL, Ne Plus Ultra, 
Languedoc and Peerless alternating at least every fourth to sixth row with 
either Drake’s Seedling or Texas Prolific. These last two varieties not only 
produce abundant crops of commercial nuts but by their fertilizing the other 
varieties their tonnage is also increased to an important degree. 
The crop is harvested by shaking the trees and by whipping the nuts that 
do not fall, with light poles, preferably bamboo, so they will not injure the 
bark on the limbs of the trees. 
