_Hardshell._—Those which cannot be broken by hand but require a sharp blow with a hammer or strong pressure with a nut cracker to crack them. The papershell varieties are excellent for shelling as they contain a large percentage of kernels which may easily be obtained whole. The principal objections are that birds are particularly fond of them since they can crack them easily, and the shells are often poorly sealed. The latter fact makes it difficult to prevent worm infestation and to prevent the penetration of sulphur fumes to the kernel during the bleaching process. As a result practically none of the papershells are bleached but are sold for shelling purposes. The softshells are generally more attractive for table use because the shells are more perfect and, in commercial varieties, are brighter in color and more attractive. The shells are usually well sealed and can be bleached to give additional brightness with less danger of the fumes penetrating to the kernel than the papershells. [Illustration: Fig. 28.—Almond varieties. HARRIOTT. EUREKA. LEWELLING. KING. CALIFORNIA. PRINCESS. STUART. LA PRIMA. BATHAM.] The standardshells have the greatest range in character, thickness and hardness of shell. For table use they are sometimes too hard for high-class trade. The percentage of kernel is too low to make them very attractive to the retail trade. Of this class of almond the Drake is probably the best of the California varieties. Almond varieties of all these classes are shown in figures 27 and 28. These illustrations show most of the varieties grown to any extent in California and others that have attracted much interest and inquiry, together with the European Tarragona. FOOTNOTES [1] Tufts, W. P., unpublished data from experiments conducted in the University Farm orchard, at Davis, California. [2] Colby, Geo. E., Ann. Rept. Cal. Agri. Exp. Sta., 1895-1896 and 1896-1897. [3] As this bulletin goes to press doubt is raised as to whether some of these trees may not be on almond stock, but this in no material way affects the discussion. [4] Just what conditions will exist after the close of the present war cannot be forecast with any degree of accuracy. One thing is certain, the increasing popularity of shelled almonds makes it essential that the American markets become familiar with the California shelled product, and that this trade be extended as quickly as possible. [5] Cir. 121, Univ. Calif. Agri. Exp. Station, October, 1914. [6] The fumigation of Stored Grain, Dried Fruits, and Other Products, E. R. DeOng, Cal. Agr. Exp. Sta., Dec., 1917. BIBLIOGRAPHY TREAT, W. 1890. Almond Culture. Report of California Board of Horticulture, 1900, pp. 72-78. FULLER, A. S. 1896. The Nut Culturist, pp. 12-43. Orange Judd Co., New York. CORSA, W. P. 1896. Nut Culture in the United States, Embracing Native and Introduced Species. U. S. D. A., Division of Pomology, pp. 19-28. COLBY, GEO. E.