The almond (_Prunus communis_) is supposed to be native to the countries around the Mediterranean and at present the bulk of the world’s supply is produced in that region. It resembles the peach somewhat in manner of growth and character of blossoms and leaves, but the wood is much harder and the tree is longer-lived under equally favorable conditions. The fruit, instead of having a thick, fleshy pericarp as in the case of the peach, has a thin, leathery pericarp or hull, which splits on ripening and generally opens when dry, exposing the nut inside. California produces over 98 per cent of the entire American crop and has done so for many years. During the period from 1900 to 1913 the number of bearing trees remained approximately the same, new plantings having replaced old orchards that were being pulled out. The variation in California production from year to year prior to 1915, as shown in figure 1, is due to seasonal variations rather than to change in acreage. Imports into the United States from the Mediterranean countries are also shown in figure 1, the top line representing the total imports, the other lines, as indicated, showing the proportion of that total originating in the three principal countries exporting to the United States. Previous to 1912 the records of shelled and unshelled almonds were not kept separate. Since the records have been segregated, the percentages of shelled almonds imported each year have been approximately as follows: Per cent 1912-13 83 1913-14 70 1914-15 71 1915-16 82 1916-17 79 --- Average 77 With the 1915 crop the production in California entered upon what appears to be a long prospective increase. The large acreage of almonds set out in the last four or five years is the result of greatly improved market conditions due to the successful work of the California Almond Growers’ Exchange. The first of these new plantings are now coming into bearing, and each year for many years in the future will continue to see increased yields. Large acreages are still being planted so that the almond production in California bids fair to continue to grow.