Practically all our almonds come from Spain, Italy, and France. But there are sections of our country so like the Mediterranean countries in climate that we can grow the same crops. In San Joaquin County, California, there are almond groves as fair to look upon as are those of Spain. And the Spanish names make the likeness still more complete; for this land, as you know, was once controlled by the Spaniards. Did it ever occur to you that the Spanish settled those parts of North America most like their home country? Almond trees look like peach trees. They are set in orchards, just as other fruit trees are. You must not forget, too, that they are fruit trees. The almonds we buy are only the seeds of a fruit much like the peach. The fruit, instead of being gathered, is left to dry on the tree. Then men knock the shriveled fruit down on sheets, as you

see in the picture. The seeds are removed and put in sacks or bales. You know what almonds are used for. Cakes and candies call for some; others are sugared or burned, or whitened and then salted. They are delicious any way they are prepared. Sweet almonds are the only ones fit to eat. Bitter almonds are used by chemists. Ask your druggist what is made from bitter almonds. California in 1914 grew 5,000,000 pounds of almonds. What other semi-tropical fruits are raised in California? California is no farther south than a number of states. Explain why it has such a warm climate when these other states do not. What else besides almonds so we import from Spain?