_Birds._—Birds also carry off large amounts of almonds if the orchards are near open country or hills, especially if wooded. Crows, bluejays, blackbirds, yellow-hammers, robins and other similar birds are the worst offenders. Sometimes linnets eat off large numbers of fruit buds in the spring in a few of the newer sections where plantings are scattered. Sap-suckers have been known to girdle entire trees or large branches by cutting large numbers of holes in a series of lines close together around the trunk or limbs. _Morning-glory._—This is probably the worst of the weeds in almond orchards, and is the hardest to control. Sheep and chickens may be used with excellent results, provided care is taken to see that the sheep are not allowed to go hungry, for then they will bark the trunks of the trees very quickly. 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. VARIETIES The problem of selecting varieties of almonds for planting in California is to choose the ones that are most marketable and at the same time to secure best results in cross-pollination. At the present time there are comparatively few varieties of almonds which have won and retained their popularity with the grower and the trade. There are a number of reasons for this condition. 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. With almonds, the season of all varieties extends from one harvest to the next, if properly handled. Growers are, therefore, recommended to plant only standard, marketable varieties as far as possible. Early ripening varieties must be chosen. The crop must be in the hands of the trade early, for the bulk of it is used in the holiday trade. This is especially true with unshelled almonds. Early almonds only can be harvested and sold before the bulk of the European shipments arrive.