USPP1730P - Almond tree - Google Patents

Description

July 15, 1958 v RODGERS Plant Pat. 1,730

ALMOND TREE Filed NOV. 29, 1957 WITNESS INVENTOK' Vz'nc'eni .5. Rod e115 alar- This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of almond tree which was originated by me as a seedling derived from a cross of the Mission almond (pistillate parent) and the Nonpareil almond (stamenate parent); the cross having been made,.and the seedling brought into maturity, on my ranch located near Ballico, California.

The Mission and Nonpareil almonds are'unpatented.

it was asexually reproducedfor the purpose of comparison and further observation-by June buds on 8-37 root stock (United States Plant Patent No. 904). Such reproductions, initially made on my behalf by a nursery at Modesto, California, were subsequently replanted and grown to maturity on my ranch located as aforesaid, and where the reproductions were found to run true to the parent tree in all respects.

The distinctive characteristics of the present variety of almond tree can best be recognized in comparison to the Nonpareil almond-which in general it most nearly resembles as follows:

The tree of the present variety-which is vigorous and upright in growthis a very heavy producer of commercially high-grade, paper-shell nuts, with the quality no less than-and the production averaging at least twice as much ast-hat of the Nonpareil almond; the nuts being well sealed, and hence resistant to damage by insects,

such as the navel orange worm. Additionally, the nut is considerably lighter in color (very light straw) than the Nonpareil, and consequently is very attractive for market sale unshelled.

' By further comparison, the variety here claimed ripens with and after the Nonpareil almond, and the harvest immediately follows the latter. As the ripening period as well as the harvest are relatively early as compared to numerous other varieties, the possibility of storm damage is minimized.

By still further comparison, the present variety and the Nonpareil almond can be planted in alternate orchard rows and act to pollinize each other; thus avoiding the need of pollination from other and less desirable varieties of almonds.

Of advantage also is the fact that the two varieties bloom contemporaneously, which is favorable economically as frost prevention measures by smu-dging or otherwise, when undertaken, simultaneously protect both varieties.

In the drawings: 7

Fig. 1 is an elevation illustrating, on a twig, both leaves and nuts; certain of the latter being shown as partially open.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of one of the nuts with the hull open. 7 v

Fig. 3 is an elevation showing a kernel remaining in half of the shell.

Plant Pat. 1,730 Patented July 15, 1958 ice 2 Fig. 4 is a similar view, but shows the kernal half cut away to expose the meat. 4

Referring now more specifically to the botanical details of this new and distinct variety of almond tree, the following is an outline description thereof; all major c'olor plate identifications being by reference to Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color:

Tree:

, Density-Open.

' Size.--Medium.

Vigor.-Vigorous.

Branching habit.Upright.

Color of bark. Mature bark brown. New

shoots-green, turning reddish.

Foliage.Abundant. Leaves: Sizeaverage length,

67 /5 mm.; average width, 19 mm. Shapelanceolate. Marginslightly crenate. Colortop sidemedium green (23-L-5), with some yellow shading; under side-slightly lighter green Bloom.Amount of bloom-very heavy. Blooming period--parallels the Nonpareil almond both as to time and length. Colorwhite with pink tinge.

Susceptibility or resistance to insects or diseases. Observations indicate that the variety is above average in resistance to brown rot and mite damage.

Crop:

Pr0ductivity.--Very heavy. Distribution of nuts on tree-Clusters on short spurs, also some on branches well distributed over Hull: Smooth; thin.

Suture-Flat.

Dihiscence.-Opens freely.

Splitting.-Al0ng suture.

C0lor.-Grey-green (22 -C-1), shading, as ripening progresses, to a lighter and somewhat yellow green (12-1-1).

Nut:

Size-Average length, 29 mm. Average width, 18.8 mm. Average thickness, 16 mm. Average weight, .07 oz.

Form. Length/width 1.52 to 1 ratio ovate. Width/thickness-plump.

Shell. Paper; thin. Outer shell crumbling. Inner shell softjwell sealed. Color very light straw (9-B-2). Pitssmall; numerous; deep; irregular.

Base-Square.

Stem scar.Smal1; obtuse.

Apex.--Acuminate; sharp; shouldered; tip recurved.

Wing.Narrow; thin; tapered toward base.

I nner surface.Light.

Ventral streak.-Dark; broad; long; point acute.

Percentage of kernel to nut.58% to 63%.

Kernel:

Size.Average length, 21 /5 mm. Average width,

12% mm. Average thickness, 9% mm. Average weight, .04 02.

Form. Length/width ovate.

ness--plump.

Base.-Ventrally oblique.

Stem scan-Small; obtuse.

Width/thicks A pen-Acute; shouldered. "Pub'rceace. Smooth.

' Pellicle.Thin. f

Plumpness.-Smooth. I Cbl'orbf Skin.Light brown (ll-K-S) 5 Color of meat.White (9 A 1). Numbrof d0'ubles.Few.

Defective kernls.-'-No'ne.

' {Flizvora-Sweet.

Qudlity.-Ve'ry good. I Y r 10 The tree and its .nuts herein described may varyin slight detail due to climatic and soil conditions-under which the variety may be grown.

growth of the tree and the heavy production of well distributed paper-shell nuts borne mainly in clusters on short spurs but in part on branches; and further characterized-in comparison to the Nonpareil almondby, being pollinizers for each other, by a parallel blooming period, by ripening with and after the Nonp'areil and harvesting immediately followingthe' latter, by atleast twice the production of equalqua'lity nuts, and by well sealed white meat nuts having a very light straw colored shell.

No references cited.

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