The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1892-05-21
The Cultivation of the Almond Tree.
From U. 8. Consular Report.

From U. 8. Consular Report.
Soils, etc.-The almond is a tree
of third magnitude, and is remark
able for the facility in raising it, for
its hardness in standing continued
droughts growing in the poorest
soils, in the sands, gravels, and
amongst rocks, and finally for the
abundance of and high price which
its fruit commands. In fact, the
almond-tree being the easiest and
cheapest to rear and cultivate is the
most useful tree to industry, medi-
cine, and the arts.
California abounds in soils which
are considered, owing to their locality
lightness, or hilly nature, unprofita-
BILE or unfit for any use but pasturing
cattle in certain seasons of the year,
which, if planted with almonds,
would become sources ofgreat wealth
and utility. The culture of almonds
is in fact the easiest, most economi-
cal, and productive. At the sixth
year the almond trees commence to
yield by far greater product than the
expenses incurred in their raising and
cultivation, owing to their rustic
habit, requiring no care from the time
of their planting to the long period
which these trees live.
The many varieties of almonds
are variously described, they are d.
vided into two groups, the sweet and
the bitter almond. The most prom.
inent are the Princess almond, the
largest and most superior. of all;
others, large, soft-shell, and large,
sweet almond, very much sought;
the common almond, with a tender
shell; Jordan almond, with a tender
shell and large, sweet kernel.
These almonds are largely exported.
The Sultana almond, or Ibiza of the
Balearic Islands, with a small fruit
and tender kernel; the Pistachio al
mond, with smaller fruit than the last
mentioned, and a variety of hard
she'll and bitter almonds.
Propagation.-The only and usual
mode of propsgating the almond is
from seed. The soil preferred by
almonds is a light sandy soil; ex,
cessive or even great richness is to
be avoided, as in this the trees will
produce large and luxuriant branches
and foliage, but no fruit. The hard
lest almond is the bitter, and is pre-
ferable as stock for budding or graft
ing on a given variety. The next
hardest for stocks is the sweet, bard
shell almond. The land selected
should be plowed or worked with
hoes Immediately after the first rains.
In the month of November or De-
cember small holes are dug, as if
for sowing water-melons, and dis
tance 90 feet each way. Procure the
nuts of the last season and those
which have not been much exposed
to the air. In procuring almonds for
seed the best quality of soft-shell
almond must be used; then they will
grow as standards, requiring no bud.
ding nor grating, producing fine
almonds even If some issue the hard
shell variety. Plant an almond in
each hole from II to 2 inches deep,
dut not deeper, SOW them with the
sharp point upwards, without break
ing their shells. They will come up
in about thirty.tive to forty days.
The first year they should be pro-
tected against frost and snow with
sticks and straw around them, for,
hardy as they may be when once es-
tablished, they would be in some
danger while young. They must be
kept clear of weeds, and in the spring
the surface OF the soil should be
stirred. In the second year trim off
the lower shoots and head down those
in exposed positions or intended for
dwarfs. The buds that are pushing
| on the main stem should be rubbed