R. H. Taylor

“ Other varieties, such as the Texas, have been sufficiently tested to show them to be well adapted to most districts, but they are not to be recommended because of the difficulty experienced in marketing them at a profit in large quantities. The Texas has been planted extensively in California without sufficient justification. It was planted because of its value as a pollenizer, its precocious and prolific bearing, and its upright habit of growth. ”

“ Whether the top-working shall be done by budding or grafting depends largely upon the wishes of the grower and the skill of the [22] workman. Grafting will give a new tree more quickly than budding, because by the latter method a year is lost in growing a supply of new wood on the stubs into which the buds must be placed. By grafting, the new scions may start growing the first spring without any delay. Ordinarily the best method is to graft the trees the first winter and then, where the grafts fail to grow, buds may be inserted in the new growth which will come from the stub. ”

“ The cultural, climatic and soil conditions under which the almond thrives are much more limited than for most of the common deciduous fruits; the area of production in America is limited largely to California; the industry is comparatively new, and in general, there is not the great varietal variation in season, appearance, texture, flavor and behavior that is found in the apple, peach, pear and similar fruits. The comparatively rapid deterioration of fleshy fruits after ripening makes a succession of varieties desirable to extend the period of consumption. ”

“ These plantings being on the floor of the valley are more subject to frost than the foothill plantings, but they have the advantage of being on the rich valley soils, and while they may lose a crop occasionally from frosts, they make it up in the long run by the much larger growth of the trees and their ability to produce larger yields. Many orchards do not show any such ability to produce large crops, but such a failure must be attributed to lack of pruning and care, [15] rather than to any inherent inability of the large trees to produce nuts. ”

“ In deep, rich soils the cuttings of alfalfa may be removed from the land, though the last cutting in the fall should be allowed to remain on the land. Where this is done, a natural mulch is obtained which helps to increase the supply of humus. If the soil is poor and lacking in humus it is better to leave more cuttings of the alfalfa on the ground to decay. As this continues the soil becomes, through the increased accumulations of humus, more permeable and yet more retentive of moisture, and less irrigation will serve the trees more effectively. ”

“ Many orchards have been very light producers year after year because of a deficiency of humus in the soil.
Drainage.—The almond root is very particular as to its air and moisture requirements in the soil. It will not endure standing water in the soil for any length of time, especially during the growing season. Exclusion of air by excessive moisture is believed to be one of the most productive causes of “sour-sap.” If allowed to continue for any length of time such conditions will cause the death of many or even all the roots and with them the top. ”

“ Soil Handling.—The almond is one of the most exacting of fruits as regards its cultivation. The assumption is very often made by growers that because the tree will live through periods of prolonged drouth, it will also thrive under careless or poor methods of cultivation. That this is entirely erroneous may be inferred from the fact previously referred to that the almond draws more heavily upon the plant food of the soil for the ripening of its crop than any of the common orchard fruits. ”

“ Heat.—Where the conditions of soil and moisture are favorable the almond will endure the intense heat of the interior valleys and even of the Imperial Valley, provided it is pruned properly to shade the main branches so as to prevent sunburn. Where trees, by severe pruning, are opened up suddenly to the intense heat of the summer sun, almonds will sunburn, but if the necessary opening up is done gradually, the bark will become inured to the new conditions without danger. The nuts grow and ripen more satisfactorily in the greater heat of the interior than along the coast. ”

“ Where orchards have been planted on such land, spots appear in which the trees gradually die, the disease spreading from tree to tree, in ever-widening circles, involving ordinarily about one row of trees each year. During the winter, clusters of toadstools may be seen at the base of the affected trees. The fungus lives over in the old oak roots for many years and, as the orchard becomes well established, the fungus spreads to the almond roots. If not checked the spot will eventually involve the entire orchard and prevent further growth of almonds on such land for many years. ”

“ If the top is too dense, the new growth can only continue in the top and outer portions of the tree where sunlight can penetrate. When an adventitious bud does start in the center of the tree it immediately makes a strong vigorous growth to reach the sunlight far above. Such a growth is called a water sprout. If the trees are kept so pruned that the shadow on the ground during the greater part of the day is mottled with sunlight while the trees are in full leaf, the small growth may be maintained in the center and the bearing surface greatly increased. ”

“ An excellent plan is to arrange gates so that the sheep must go through the orchard from pasture to get water. In passing back and forth they will forage over the entire orchard and dig up all the morning-glory in sight. Chickens are fond of the succulent new shoots, and will keep them below the ground until the underground stems and roots weaken and die. Cultivation throughout the growing season, often enough to prevent the morning-glory from developing any leaves for a whole year at least, and longer if necessary, will starve the plants to death. ”

“ Almonds are grown in nearly every county in California. In some counties the few trees growing only occasionally succeed in producing a crop of nuts. There are sections in nearly all parts of the state, however, where they are a success commercially. Within these sections [14] may be found desirable and undesirable locations, depending upon soil and moisture conditions and freedom from injurious frosts. Any discussion of a district, therefore, does not necessarily mean that all lands within that district are uniformly adapted to almond culture. ”

“ Summer pruning of the drooping, undesirable branches wherever they develop, will help to increase the growth of the upright branches. By pruning as far as possible to inside buds, every opportunity will be given the trees to grow upward. If trees of such varieties make a poor, weak growth, a very heavy heading will force them to make a stronger and more vigorous growth the following season, provided any unfavorable soil and moisture conditions are corrected. ”

“ Orchard almond trees are never grown from seed, as they do not reproduce true to type, but are propagated by budding desirable varieties on seedling roots in the manner commonly employed in nursery practices for other stone fruits, like the peach. Every grower must decide, however, on what rootstocks he will plant his trees. ”

“ During the first four or five years or more such a crop is generally a detriment to the almond trees, but after the trees reach maturity it may be beneficial in securing better drainage and aeration of the soil by the penetration of the numerous roots to considerable depths and their consequent decay when it is plowed in. Alfalfa also supplies nitrogen to the soil and thus gradually increases the fertility. The great danger with such a crop is that the orchardist is apt to irrigate for the alfalfa at the expense of the trees because of the quicker returns from the former. ”

“ Where the rainfall is inadequate some means of irrigation must be found to make up the deficit.
In some sections the annual rainfall varies greatly from year to year. Often it falls in such a way that a large proportion of it is lost in the surface run-off. In many places the soil is so leachy that it is incapable of holding sufficient water for the use of the trees throughout the summer, much of the winter rainfall being lost in the underground drainage. ”

“ Large acreages are still being planted so that the almond production in California bids fair to continue to grow.
Within the next few years California growers will, in all probability, be forced to accept lower prices for their almonds than they are now receiving. The American markets are fully supplied at present prices, yet constantly increasing acreage will inevitably result in a greatly increased tonnage. European almonds are being produced at a lower net cost and can be laid down on the Atlantic Coast more cheaply than is possible with the California product. ”

“ However, it is highly probable that the greater portion of the trouble with fruit dropping, when of the size of peas or larger, is due to improper pollination. When the soil is not sufficiently well drained at such a time, the sour-sap effect is greatly augmented.
Humidity.—Foggy or moist weather during ripening or harvesting is highly objectionable. The nuts do not dry out rapidly enough on the trees to prevent the growth of molds and consequent darkening of the shells. The nuts then require much heavier bleaching to brighten them properly for the demands of the market. ”

“ Almond Root.—The greatest proportion of almonds in this state are on almond roots. Where the most desirable soil, moisture and drainage conditions exist it is best to select the almond root. It will live in comparatively dry soils, but cannot be expected to make a tree of large size or bear crops of nuts if the dry conditions continue. Where irrigation is not available, and the soil is deep and of proper texture, sufficient moisture may be retained in most years by cultivation to enable the tree to grow and bear fruit. ”

“ The time of heating is therefore a very important point. Almond blossoms become progressively more tender to frost as they advance in development. With their petals on they are not nearly as tender as they are after the petals have fallen. They reach their most tender stage after the calyx shucks have fallen from the young expanding fruits before they are the size of a pea. Ordinarily, orchard heating before the trees have passed full bloom is a waste of time and material and is often injurious. ”

“ In view of the changing market situation for California almonds, due to the rapidly increasing acreage and the very limited demand for unshelled almonds, it is safe to predict that the only new varieties which will be of value in the future will be those that are primarily of superior quality for shelling purposes. Yield must take second place.
Well known varieties are not only in heavier demand in the principal markets, but they invariably bring much better prices than the newer varieties. ”

“ Where there is danger of failure of varieties to set fruit due to frost or improper pollination or unfavorable weather conditions during, or soon after, blooming, the grower is more likely to get a crop from some variety if several are planted to secure a succession of bloom in the spring. ”

“ As the bearing trees become older and bear heavier crops, the nuts tend to become smaller and the shells harder, which increases the difficulty of selling. From the standpoint of the grower as well as the market, the lateness in ripening is very objectionable. The California Almond Growers’ Exchange is finding it harder each year to satisfactorily market the rapidly increasing tonnage of this variety. It should, therefore, be avoided in new plantings. ”

“ A number of growers have provided special contrivances by which sheets are mounted on sleds or wheels so they are not dragged on the ground. The principal objection to such an arrangement is that the sled or wheeled frame must be made in two sections, one for each side of the tree, thus increasing the cost of the operation because the horses can be used for nothing else while harvesting is in progress. ”

“ A low head is desirable to avoid sunburn of the trunk and to keep the tree within easy reach for pruning, spraying and harvesting. During the first summer in the orchard much can be done to obtain a well-balanced head, to get the main branches well spaced on the trunk, and to prevent crowding later on, by pinching out all [29] undesirable growth as fast as it appears and forcing the growth into those parts of the tree which are to remain. ”