THE DICTIONARY 
OF 
FRUIT AND VEGETABLES. 
ALM 
ALMOND. — Amygdalus communis 
(Linn.) Nat. Ord. Amygdalinae. These 
trees are cultivated alike for their beauti¬ 
ful blossoms, displayed at a very early 
period, and for their fruit; an esteemed 
article in every dessert. Their orna¬ 
mental character admits of their mixing 
with the occupants of the shrubbery, 
where they lend a charm in early spring 
not otherwise derivable; for this pur¬ 
pose almost any of the numerous mem¬ 
bers of the genus may be employed, but 
most particularly the double varieties of 
A. communis; and the dwarf Almond 
{A. nano). When grown for their 
fruit the trees should be planted as 
standards in an open sunny position, 
upon a rich friable loam; their after 
culture will be no more than an annual 
thinning of the superfluous branches, and 
a careful digging, with an accompanying 
application of manure every winter. 
The varieties most esteemed are the 
common or sweet almond, Grand Sul¬ 
tan, a good keeping kind, and Doux a 
coque tendre, the best in a fresh state. 
Bitter almonds are also required for 
confections, and there is no apparent 
reason that these fruits should not be 
grown as well in our gardens as they 
are on the Continent, if a proper atten¬ 
tion be given them to guard the blossoms 
from frost, means for which will readily 
occur to the minds of all desirous of 
cultivating these delicious nuts. 
APPLE. Pyrus Malus (Linn.) Nat. 
Ord. Pomacea. Apples are, beyond 
question, the most important section of 
our cultivated fruits; the vast number 
APP 
of varieties and their different characters 
afford scope for selections suitable for 
gardens of every size; the only difficulty 
arising from the claims of so many 
truly good kinds. Yolumes have been 
and may still be written, on the value 
and culture of this extensive group, 
without exhausting the interest of the 
subject; the mass of matter bearing 
thereon, and its importance, will oblige 
us to be concise, in order that nothing 
may be omitted which it is essential to 
know. 
Aspect and Soil. The productiveness 
of an orchard or a single apple tree 
depends alike most materially on the 
two considerations named in this head¬ 
ing. The aspect to be preferred for 
fruit-bearing trees of the Pomaceous 
order, is one bearing a few points to 
the westward of south, and, if choice 
can be made, the face of a gentle de¬ 
clivity, having an inclination of the 
kind, should be selected; where it is 
intended to cultivate an extensive col¬ 
lection of fruits of this kind, every pos¬ 
sible care should be taken at the com¬ 
mencement to establish the orchard in a 
position as nearly like that mentioned 
as circumstances will permit. Having 
determined on the situation, the next 
object will be the preparation of the 
soil; too much trouble cannot be taken 
in having both the surface and under¬ 
stratum properly prepared, and their 
natural deficiencies corrected, should 
any exist: work of this nature cannot 
be done after the trees have attained 
a size, or at any time so well as before 
A 
