y Pa Rs SPI HS. A. Pe) 2 SG ek Bae oe i Aes Oo Ea “of pee Fae - Mise % hasta 4 U. 5. “DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. | a| BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY —BULLETIN No, 61. oe Bet? GALLOWAY, Ontef of Bieeene: PS BVHE AVOCADO IN FLORIDA: ITS PROPAGATION, (ULTTVATION, AND MARKETING. BY P. H. ROLES, ( . PATHOLOGIST, IN CHARGE OF SUBTROPICAL LABORATORY. POMOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. Tssump JULy 7, 1904. a oo c= FAN WASHINGTON: - GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. os “1904, Se ne Os a Salle at * Aa Se aie Rs Se ieee mere cent ns — a = pt , PLATE Bul. 61, Bureau of Plant Industry, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture. "4A3aY VIOOSUG IWHOO V NO DNIMOHXD ‘G10 SYVSA GS ‘ASYL OGVOOAY NVOINSAWY HLNOS-NVIGN| LSSMA U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. ) BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY—BULLETIN No. 61. B. T. GALLOWAY, Chief of Bureau. THH AVOCADO IN FLORIDA; ITS PROPAGATION, CULTIVATION, AND MARKETING, BY patie ROLES, PATHOLOGIST, IN CHARGE OF SUBTROPICAL LABORATORY. POMOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. IssuepD JULY 7, 1904. —S=> OLD \ SY = f= ee OA DAN it A Nid soe a WW x 7 y ‘atl Wes = ee a eN ‘ Ni WA SD . A WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICER. 19:04. wa at tae Si tae Sa hie : wae v x 4 ti , i} ‘ " a % A atx “ Rare 2 ies , os oot] ors it xf = Ie, 3 a7 Y = ie A oe BUREAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY. - BEVERLY T. GaLLoway, Chief. - if é J. Ee RockWweEtt, Editor. POMOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS. ScrENTIFIC STAFF. G. B. Brackett, Pomologist. XS > : Wiuuiam A. Taytor, Pomologist in Charge of Field Investigations. G. Harotp PowE.., Pomologist in Charge of Fruit Storage Investigations. H. P. Goutp, Assistant Pomologist in Charge of Fruit District Investigations. Sanrorp H. Fuuron, Assistant Pomologist in Charge of Fruit Storage Investigations. Grorce CO. Husmann, Viticulturist. ay = ve . © ee } e ¢@ e c (at c s ® ‘ © oe C C © © ece © C ‘ CaN « i ee r s ame b - - - | awe a C5 ¥ PEN OF RKANSMIN TAL U. 8. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BurEAU OF PLANT INDUSTRY, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF, Washington, D. C., April7, 1904. Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a paper on *‘ The Avocado in Florida; its Propagation, Cultivation, and Marketing,” and respect- fully recommend that it be published as Bulletin No. 61 of the series of the Bureau. This paper was prepared by Prof. P. H. Rolfs, Pathologist in Charge of the Subtropical Laboratory at Miami, Fla., under the direc- tion of Dr. A. F. Woods, Pathologist of this Bureau, “but as the — subject is pomological rather than pathological, it was submitted to the Pomologist with a view to its publication from his office. _ The accompanying illustrations are essential to an intelligent under- standing of the text. | 7 | Respectfully, - B. T. GaLtLoway, | Chief of Bureau. Hon. James Witson, | Secretary of Agriculture. Ree ACG Ee The avocado (Persea gratissima) is one of the most recent fruits to receive intelligent and systematic treatment from American fruit erowers. Though long held in high regard by persons living in southern Florida, the West Indies, and most portions of tropical America, it has not until recently attracted the attention of northern consumers, and is, in fact, at this time an interesting novelty rather than a recognized staple of commerce. This is probably due to the fact that it lacks those characteristics of texture and flavor which are sought for in most dessert fruits, so that a taste for it must be acquired by most persons. In recent years, however, its usefulness asa Salad fruit has gradually been recognized, so that a growing appre- ciation of its value in this regard has led to an increasing demand for it in our larger cities. Until very recently the principal supply for these markets has come from the West Indies, chiefly because of cheaper transportation from those islands than from Florida. ‘The recent extension of railroad facilities to far southern Florida has made possible the safe shipment of this fruit from that section to practically all parts of the country, and interest in its commercial culture there has therefore largely increased. As it provides a wholesome and nutritious food, which, judging from present demand and prices, will afford a profitable crop in loca- tions suitable to its production, its culture on a commercial scale appears worthy of encouragement in Porto Rico, southern Florida, Hawai, and such locations in California as are practically free from frost during the blossoming season. The greatest need at present appears to be the propagation of pro- ductive varieties of desirable size, form, and quality, ripening at an opportune time—that is, late in autumn or early in winter, when the demand in northern markets at high prices appears to be best. As the bud propagation of this fruit in a commercial! way has but recently commenced, it is believed that this publication, which deals largely with that subject, will be of distinct value to those who desire to engage in its production. G. B. Brackett, Pomologist. OFFICE OF THE PoMOLOGIST, Washington, D. C., March 29, 1904. - : , ‘ | : AGEs Sosa foo SS DAO a ok ee aa Stig eer ae este he eg Bec Ne ee RE RCE PRONE CL aa et ens Ae tt ee yr Lichen cle BG ibe O's hie eaten NE Pere aye hp ed oN RE Re ee Se Se Pema OM ane. Liile.o DlOOMINe =~ 0.5). 2h 2a el Sn eos oben sl ede ies ocao, tor wind-breaks and shade trees_-.--...-2-----+-+22 2.2. e222: een nOe curio am OFCHWards 2022 ie ye es oe eo eo eine de Gebers Set ee eu E SEG [SEC ae te Raa gS a ee Ce ea RENN SEIN Ee ee es eee rs nase tee ee ee ed SW imiemenAOM il “ine smuUnsemy = 2.6 oe ek els = poe ole Sele oo PSO NO es Se PES ED ee OO I Gee he Sos 5. See Sohne LoOoSce Sy oe SRR er ete a era er Hen mOn ORCC 206 age. uk ae See She ye et wee Seek ee Mime an eb a DE CS ce ea a Se et ae ee ea Be a oy ASICS a ae gles ar ee saan eer ge PRD Wee) eS: Seu ee nee eh Mere a eR ct i ae Outs Je eae ae oS Ce ce 2a BR uontnycolmue eds treess< 25. 2-02 aco Sach cet eee ek SSL ek. Peiaimeree-oruit trom-seed ling’ trees <2 i 2 ssid. 22 ee ek eee Description of variations ......--- Pi pipie Puree aie et acta Ss Viney aos bee Ree Pee eee eae en oe SR ee Pees Wert ee eee DEEMIG 0 Sa 6 See Seen te ee ea re oe aan egy “STEED, 9 STO as aes a et eae se a Pep emcees MONO s i. Aaa. Seeks ce es A eT eh Soe ee eae Calmea vii em: Seer eee Pes Se et SLD IE SV Uae NSS ec a pe ole ge Hf OUTLDS SUP PAE AIS TSS A eee Se es NCR A ean ee The ideal avocado ..-.-.-- ee ae Veh meee ER aes © Nala oe nt Me ecol ie munleete. 2 oe os ee ee ae pe ee 1 LESSEE Boe oo Ba eS Sa i es ake sl re ag a TEP IE CSSD SSS cs SS ed ace ea, a 0 en Dae Oe ee a Pee Pe ASICS Soe ges Deeb eC ete et ES ee ee eee RGR NPNERGI I OUG CUE ieee eres em pn ody Cee nl a a ee oe 1 RASTIVE GUA" 2 See Oa A ea eae te Summary ILLUSTRATIONS. PLATES. Puate I. West Indian-South American avocado tree, Be years old, itunes erowing.on a coral breccia reels ss2 p65. oe= 4e eee Frontispiece. BS II. Fig. 1.—Crown-worked West Indian-South American avocado tree, eighteen months after insertion of bud. Fig. 2.—Top-worked Mexican avocado tree, eighteen months after insertion of bud... Il. West Indian-South American avocado tree in nursery, transplanted from seed bed; 2 years old, 4 feet tall.......- i. IV. Fruiting branch of West Indian- South American avocado tree one- bo tenth natural ‘diameter {232 eke ees ea oe ee ie oe TEXT FIGURES. Seedling avocado in December from seed planted in September .....- Shield’ bud cut out preparatory to insertion: —2-2) 22522 1p Seedling avocado stock with shield bud inserted .......---.--.-.-..- Shield bud wrapped with’ waxed cloth ®222. 2222525 442 422- 2 ee Bud stick. ‘‘Live’’ buds in various stages of development (a, a, ete. ). Blind buds which should not be used (6, ete. )_ 2.22255. ae eee Longitudinal sections of round avocados, West Indian—South American varieties: A, seed filling the cavity; B, fruit from another tree of better quae but seed loose im the cavity 2. . 252.2022) 2234 see . Longitudinal sections of oblong avocados, West Indian—South Ameri- can varieties: A,small seed, loose in large cavity; B, large seed, loose in the-¢awitiy: 22 os 5si basis sl ee ee eee . Longitudinal sections of pear-shaped avocados, West Indian-South | American varieties: A, very large seed, Boos in the cavity; B, large seed,. loose in the ¢avity,,2:: e580 Led he ee Longitudinal sections of bottle-necked avocados: A, West Indian— South American variety, with very large cavity; B, Mexican variety, with seed Sillinoscavity, Petes oS Aes Ne eee pee es . {ee eer: 8 B. P. I:—100. Pom. 1.—24. THE AVOCADO IN FLORIDA; TES PROPAGATION, CULTIVATION, AND MARKETING. INTRODUCTION. The avocado (Persea gratissima Giirtn.) might almost be called a new fruit, for, while it has long been used as a food by the American aborigines, it has never been subjected to cultivation and careful breeding. Its value as a food is rapidly becoming known, and it is apparently only a question of time until it will be used extensively. Its shipping qualities permit it to. be sent to all the large consuming centers of the United States, while its food value will make it a favorite with all lovers of good salad fruits. These pages have been prepared with a view to systematizing our knowledge of the avocado, and to point out the directions for its improvement. | South Florida seems to be the only region in which the propagation of the avocado has been undertaken in a systematic way and on an extensive scale. Nurseries in that section have thousands of seedlings erowing and hundreds of budded trees to put on the market. In addition to this, it seems to be the only region where budded trees have fruited. The Pollock avocado, grown in South Florida, was exhibited at the meeting of the American Pomological Society in September, 1903. The original tree bears fruit of large size, the largest having approxi- mated 8 pounds in weight. The Trapp avocado, also grown in South Florida, is noteworthy in that it matures late, holding some of its fruit until January. : The essential work of selecting and breeding varieties that are espe- cially adapted to certain sections and that are wanted by the most desirable markets can now be pushed forward. The fact that it can now be definitely stated that seedlings do not come true to seed and that propagation by budding is possible marks a distinct epoch in the progress of growing this fruit. Another dis- tinct advance in the development of this salad fruit is that seedless fruit has been grown by the writer. 3 j The selling price of avocados varies considerably, the latest ripening ones bringing much the best prices in American markets. Extremely 9 10 : THE AVOCADO IN FLORIDA. late ones have brought as high as $3 a dozen when shipped in lots of several crates at a time. This price gives the grower $6 to $8 net per crate at the shipping station. The price for good fruit in sound condi- | tion has never fallen so low as to make it unprofitable to ship it to markets that use it. In many large cities in the United States the avocado can not be found at all, and as the dealers in Boston, New York, Washington, and New Orleans have been able to handle all the good fruit that has been sent to them, it is not probable-that the avocado will be introduced into other centers until these markets have been fully supplied. THE NAME AVOCADO. This fruit has been called by various names—avocado, avocado pear, avocate, aguacate, alligator pear, midshipman’s butter, ete. As early as 1696 Hans Sloane“ speaks of the ‘‘ avocado or allegator pear-tree” and catalogues about a dozen other names by which it is known in literature. Previous to this date the avocado was known from °‘ Nica- raguae and other portions of the American continent.” : Murray’s New English Dictionary prefers the name avocado and gives the following reference: | Taylor Anahuac IX, 227 (1861). This is a well-known West Indian fruit which we call an avocado or alligator pear, and which the French call ‘‘ avocat’’ and the Spanish ‘‘aguacate.’’ All these names are the corruption of the Aztec name of the fruit ‘‘ahuacatl.’’ Meissner? gives the following names as: being used in various parts of America: In Peru, Palto and Aguacate; in Central America, Aguacate de Anis;.in Mexico, Aguacate; in Brazil, Avocate; in Antigua and British Guiana, Avocado Pear and Alligator Pear; in French Guiana, Laurier A vocat. The Florida State Horticultural Society’ prefers the name avocado, while the American Pomological Society “ gives preference to aguacate | and uses avocado as second choice. When the Catalogue of Fruits shall be again revised, avocado will doubtless be given preference. According to the Century Dictionary, avocado is a corruption from the Mexican. The addition of the word pear, while describing the shape of the fruit in some varieties, is otherwise inappropriate, since the avocado belongs to the laurel family, while the pear belongs to the rose family. How such a barbarism as ‘‘alligator pear” could have been perpetrated upon this salad fruit it is dificult to imagine. The name avocado is short, concise, and has the advantage of being largely used by the American growers of this fruit. “Catalogus Plantarum quae in Insula Jamaica Sponte Proveniunt, Pars Prima, London, 1696, p. 185. » Martius, Flora Brasiliensis, Vol. V, pt. 2, fase. 41, p. 159. ¢Transactions, 1902, p. 20. @Proc., Am. Pom. Soc., 1901, Part IJ, p. 59. <0 2 ie eee + oe a eA — LITERATURE. Mr. C. P. Taft“ says of the avocado in California: The avocado, or alligator pear, is destined to receive more and more attention as it becomes better known. It is fairly hardy, and a good grower and bearer. Importa- tions from Mexico are frequent in the Los Angeles markets, where they sell for fancy prices. Mr. A. A. Boggs? says: The avocado or alligator pear (Persea gratissima) is already growing rapidly in favor in a few of the larger cities where people are beginning to learn its superior excellence as a salad fruit, and it bids fair to become an important market crop. It has, however, been grown entirely from seed, and as it varies widely in size and quality, there is urgent need of improvement in method of propagation. All efforts to bud or graft have hitherto proved abortive. The Department of Agriculture made an importation of seed of a Mexican variety about three years ago. Some trees from- these have already come into bearing, and proved a disappointment. The fruit is entirely too small and the flavor certainly not superior to the average of the old type. Mr. Byron O. Clark? says of this fruit in Hawaii: The avocado or alligator pear is the one fruit which captures the palate of the vis- itor to the Tropics more firmly than any other, provided he acquires a liking for this fruit. With the richness and consistency of butter, and a flavor of nuts, it is undoubtedly one of the most popular fruits, if not the most popular with residents, and acquires such popularity with persons who visit the islands that a good market for shipment to the coast is open at any time the fruit can be had. Like almost all other kinds of fruit here, the home market is not nearly supplied, and the prices are so high that none but the wealthy can use them, except as a luxury. LITERATURE. Very little has been written about the propagation of the avocado. It was introduced into Europe as early as the seventeenth century, but has not yet been generally disseminated. Simmonds’s ‘* Tropical Agri- culture” does not mention it at all. Woodrow’s ‘**Gardening in India,” published in 1899, does not refer to it. Dr. F. Franceschi’ speaks of its having fruited in southern Califor- nia. He also points out that the demand for it in the larger cities of the United States is greater than the supply. . In 1899 Capt. John J. Haden” exhibited fruit of the avocado in Philadelphia. _ The Botanical Register of 1829 published a colored plate of this fruit (No. 1258), and referred to it as having been introduced from the con- tinent [America], and as one of the rarest species cultivated in the ereenhouses. 3 Curtis’s Botanical Magazine for May 1, 1851, published a colored plate of an avocado presenting rather an unusyal combination. The Oroc., Am-= rom. Soc, 190, p. 92. 0) Proc., Am. Pom. Soe., 1901, p. 88. ¢Proc., Am. Pom. Soe., 1897, p. 100. @ Proc., Am. Pom. Soc., 1899, p. 88. 12 THE AVOCADO IN FLORIDA. figures of the branches, including the leaves and inflorescence, are undoubtedly the West Indian-South American form. The size of the fruit is that of the West Indian—South American form, while the color of the skin is exactly that of the Mexican avocado. This publication also suggests that ‘tit is increased by cuttings, treated in the usual manner.” So faras the writer’s experience goes, the cuttings are diffi-- cult to strike without bottom heat. In the Yearbook of the United States Department of Agriculture for 1901, page 354, Mr. O. F. Cook refers to the avocado as one of the important fruits of Porto Rico, and says: The alligator pear, also called butter pear, aguacate, and avocate, is a tropical fruit now relatively little known, but with every prospect of a gradually increasing popularity. It is a pear only in shape, and might better be compared to the olive, because it serves as a Salad or a relish rather than a fruit in the ordinary sense, and frequently becomes a favorite, even with those who do not like it at first. The flesh has a delicate buttery consistency, and is eaten with vinegar, salt, and other condi- ments, or is used as an ingredient of other salad compounds. The promise of agri- cultural and commercial importance for this fruit lies in the fact that it already has a distinct, if limited, place in the markets of our larger cities at from 30 to 60 cents apiece, prices which might be halved or quartered and still leave good, profits for both grower and dealer. Moreover, even at these large prices the supply of first- class fruit seems to be unequal to the demand. The alligator pear is perhaps the one fruit which Porto Rico is ready to send to market in considerable quantity and of prime quality. The tree is easily propa- gated from seed, is a vigorous grower, and a free bearer, and there is no apparent reason why the alligator pear may not become almost as cheap and neariy as popu- lar as the orange. In the Report of the Florida State Horticultural Society for 1902, Mr. Boggs says: Of equal promise and of greater present market importance is the avocado pear, which is to-day the most costly fruit on the American market, and is making more friends every season. The importance of budding and grafting as applied to this fruit is greater than the securing of better varieties from abroad, for Florida now produces the best in the world, but in eliminating the inferior sorts which form a large proportion of seedling orchards and in regulating by selection the season of fruitage. There are now trees in Dade County which ripen fruit as early as July 15 and others as late as January 15. The significance of this fact needs no comment. Choice avocados retailed last season at from 35 cents to 75 cents each in the cities, and the demand seems to outgrow the supply. It is urged that this society, in its catalogue, should encourage the use:of the name avocado, both on the score of cor- rectness and of euphony, in place of the absurd misnomer “alligator pear,’’? which leads to many mistakes. Mr. W. A. Marsh also makes reference to this fruit in the Report of the Florida State Horticultural Society for 1896, as follows: The alligator or avocado pear (Persea gratissima) is one of the most highly prized of all tropical fruits. It belongs to the order of Lauraceze. The fruit is sometimes round, also pear-shaped, containing one large seed about the size and shape of a hulled walnut. The fruit when mature varies in color from a bright green to a deep rich brown, sometimes mottled with both colors. Its flesh is a vegetable marrow, é ws eee DISTRIBUTION AND TIME OF BLOOMING. 1 sometimes called midshipman’s butter, and held in various degrees of appreciation by different persons. It is also used as a salad, being dressed with pepper, salt, and vinegar, in which style it is relished by most people. The tree is of stately growth, often reaching the height of 40 or 50 feet in Florida. It is an American fruit; it was introduced into the gardens of Spain in 1601, and into the Sunda Isles about the middle of the eighteenth century. At the beginning of the eighteenth century this tree did not exist in the gardens of British India. In America its actual area in a wild state is of uncommon extent. It has been found in the forests, on the banks of rivers, and on the seashore from Mexico and the West Indies to the Amazon. At the time of the discovery of America it was found both wild and cultivated in Mexico. According to Hernandez it was cultivated by the people of Peru under the name of ‘‘nalto,”? but there is no proof that it was wild in that country. Mr. W. Harris refers to it in Bailey’s Cyclopedia of American Hor- ticulture as follows: The avocado or alligator pear is a native of the West Indies, Mexico to Peru, and Brazil. It is very common in Jamaica, being found in every settlement or planta- tion. The tree grows to a height of 25 to 30 feet. It has elliptical or elliptical- oblong leaves, 4 to 7 inches long, glabrate and pale beneath. The fruits are large, more or less pear-shaped, and covered with a green or deep purple skin and con- taining a large quantity of a firm yellowish-green pulp, inclosing a single large seed. This fruit is highly esteemed by all classes in the West Indies. The pulp is marrow- like, and is eaten as a salad, usually with the addition of pepper, salt, and vinegar. Europeans as a rule do not like the fruit at first, but once the taste is acquired they ~ become exceedingly, often excessively, fond of it. The pulp contains an abundance of oil, which may be used for illuminating purposes; also forsoap making. The seeds yield a deep, indelible black stain, and are used for marking linen. Plants are easily raised from seeds, and in good soil in warm situations they grow rapidly and begin to fruit when about 5 years old. There are a good many varieties, differing from each other in size, shape, and quality of fruit. These differences are not due to careful cultivation and selection in all cases, however, but to natural variation and accidental intercrossing. DISTRIBUTION AND TIME OF BLOOMING. Meissner“ gives the habitat of the avocado as *‘ the forest, especially on the seacoast and following the rivers of tropical America, as well as in Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Guiana, and the islands of the Antilles, thence to subtropical localities where this agreeable fruit is cultivated. It is found in Brazil, about Peru, and elsewhere; also about Yuri- magnus, in Peru, and in English Guiana.” Emile Rodigas? thinks that the avocado is native to Brazil. He figures a large green fruit without a seed cavity. It is interesting to note that according to this author it was introduced in France in 1750. An herbarium specimen in the New York Botanical Garden, col- lected by Mr. H. H. Smith, in Colombia, is accompanied by a note stating that the species has every appearance of being native to the mountain forest at an altitude of from 1,500 to 2,500 feet. The time «Translation from Martius, Flora Brasiliensis, Vol. V, Part I], p. 159. 6 VL’ Tllustrations Horticole, XXXVI: 15 (1889). 14 THE AVOCADO IN FLORIDA. of blooming is given as from December to April. The specimen is in full bloom and bears the date of December 7, 1898. Dr. William Trelease, Director of the Missouri Botanical Gardens, who has made repeated excursions to Mexico in connection with the study of agaves, informs the writer that the smaller avocado with the bluish or blackish fruit (the Mexican avocado) is most commonly found in the markets on the eastern side of the country, while the larger forms occur on the western slope. Specimens in the herbarium of the New York Botanical Garden and in the United States National Museum indicate that the avocado has been widely disseminated. Among those occurring in the herbarium of the New York Botanical Garden are some collected at the following places and on the dates given, which are of special interest: Colombia, December 7, 1898; Nassau, N: P., March 12, 1903; Key Largo, Fla., March 26-29, 1898; island of Saint Croix, March 4, 1896; Porto Rico, March 8, 1899; Porotonga, Cook Islands, June, 1899; Monterey, Mexico, January 10, 1828; San Luis Potosi, Mexico, 1879; Nicols Town, Andros (Bahamas), March 24, 1890; St. Vincent, British West Indies, April, 1890; Java, 1865; Jamaica, 1827. The following specimens were found among those in the herbarium of the United States National Museum: Martinique, 1871; Danish West Indies, March 4, 1896; Santo Domingo, March, 1871; Colima, Mexico, Man ch, 1841. The foregoing fifteen loonie: from which specimens of this species have been ollteeea show how widely it has been distributed. The fact that specimens were collected in Java as early as 1865 shows that the plants had been imported a considerable time previous to that date. While no specimens from the Hawaiian Islands were found in the herbaria referred to, it is well known that the species occurs there in large quantities. It is also said to occur in the Seychelles Islands and in Madagascar, and it is doubtless found in all other tropical islands, and to some extent on the seaboard of almost all tropical countries. The herbarium specimens referred to give some interesting informa- tion regarding the time of blooming. Those collected in Colombia show a date of blooming of December and January, while a note upon one of the herbarium sheets indicates that the time of blooming extends from December to April. In Mexico the period of blooming seems to be about the same as in Colombia. In the West Indies, except the Bahamas, the earliest bloom may occur as early as February, but the season of bloom closes in April. In the Bahamas and Florida the flowers usually js ar about the first of March, though sometimes blooms occur as early as February, while the blooming period closes in April. The season near the equator appears to be lengthened into five months. A shortening of the period of blooming seems to have METHODS OF STARTING AN ORCHARD. 105: occurred by crowding the entire period into the las’ two months when the species is taken to the northern limit of its zone. Some allowance must be made for variations that occur from year to vear, but this does not amount to more than two or three weeks in South Florida. The commercial importance of having this fruit come into the market as late in the season as possible and in considerable quantity can not be overestimated. THE AVOCADO FOR WIND-BREAKS AND SHADE TREES. Nearly every orchardist is confronted with the necessity of securing good shade trees about his premises, and especially a screen for out- buildings and for servants’ houses. In addition to shade the question of wind-breaks is of great importance where high winds are almost certain to occurevery year. The vigorous-growing varieties of avoca- dos meet these needs as satisfactorily as the purely ornamental trees, and in addition may be expected to give a return of fruit. The fact that the avocado can utilize almost any kind of organic fertilizer with- out becoming diseased makes it much more desirable for these pur- poses than mangoes and citrous trees. The tall, sturdy growth makes free pruning of the lower limbs possible, so as to permit the passage of persons and animals under the trees, while the abundant growth of leaves will still produce a dense shade. : METHODS OF STARTING AN ORCHARD. The general method of securing an orchard of avocados in Florida is to germinate seed in a quart or a two-quart tin can, and after the seed- ling has attained the height of a foot or two the can with its contents is transferred to the field where the tree is to grow. A still more primitive way of starting an orchard is to plant the seed in the soil where the tree is to stand. There is no great difficulty in starting an orchard in either way, since tthe largest seeds (fig. 1) weigh several ounces and have great vitality. Ifit does not happen to become in- fected by some germs of decay the seed may lie in the soil for an entire year awaiting a time favorable for germination. The unusual amount of nourishment stored up in the seed enables the seedling to make - repeated starts after being dried off. It is capable of renewing its roots several times, as well as its top.. - This method of starting an orchard is quite certain and inexpensive. When the trees are one or two years old they may be budded to any desired variety. While this is better than to await the uncertain results and certain disappointment of a seedling orchard, yet top- working Is expensive, and if budded trees of known variety can be obtained from a good nursery they will be found cheaper in the end and much more satisfactory. } 16 THE AVOCADO IN FLORIDA. THE SEED BED. Seed may be obtained in large quantities during the ripening season from southern Florida, Cuba, and other places in the Antillean region. Fic. 1.—Seedling avocado in December from seed planted in September (somewhat slow in starting, but otherwise apparently nor- mal): (a) First shoot to start; (6b) second shoot starting from the axilof the incipient . leaf; (c) third shoot to start—in case of se- vere drought or otheradverse conditions, atl of these shoots may fail and some other bud grow into anew shoot; (d) scale-like leaf; (¢) one of the cotyledons, the other having been removed, scar opposite e; (f/f) primary root. (Reduced to one-third natural diameter. ) At the present time good seeds cost from 13 to 2 cents each. These prices seem somewhat high, but every seed is nearl; certain to make a seedling. The seed bed should be made in some moist locality, in soil free from rocks and containing an abundance of vegetable matter. The rows may be made such distances apart as will suit convenience—from 1 to 4 feet. Place the seeds from 4 to 6 inches apart in a drill 3 or 4+ inches deep; firm the soil about the seed and cover 2 or 83 inches deep. Supply.a heavy cover of mulch. As soon as the seedlings (see fig. 1). appear above ground, fertilizer may be applied. The. mulch should be turned back, the fertilizer raked in or cultivated in, and the mulch replaced. If the seedlings are to be removed to the nursery soon, fertilizing and cultivating may be omitted. Removal to the nursery may be deferred until seasonable weather. THE NURSERY. For starting a nursery. the best _ land should be selected, especially such as is fairly dry though never suffering from drought. Land that is subject to flooding should by all means be avoided. While the trees are able to live in standing water for two or three weeks, they become sub- ject to attack by various forms of disease. When practicable, a gen- erous application of fertilizer should be made two or three weeks before the trees are set out. It should be scattered down the row and raked in, in the usual way. The land should be thoroughly grubbed and put into a first-class state of cultivation. na Uk et THE NURSERY. 17 Transplanting to the nursery should be done when the seedlings are 6 inches to a foot high. After this time the taproot (see fig. 1,7) will have formed and the transplanting will disturb this and prevent it from growing to the large size that it would attain if the seedling were not removed. ? For transplanting, rainy weather should be chosen; otherwise much watering will be necessary or many trees will be lost. From the nurseryman’s point of view the planting in a seed bed seems unneces- sary, but seeds planted in a nursery produce trees with large taproots and few fibrous roots; this is especially the case on land that is more or less sandy. In th: nursery the rows should be from 4 to 6 feet apart and the trees set about a foot apart in the row. By thorough cultivation and generous fertilizing an abundance of fibrous roots will be produced, and if the nursery is located on moist land most of the trees will pro- duce many branched roots and very few large roots. CULTIVATION IN THE NURSERY. After planting in the nursery, cultivation should be thorough and frequent. The implements should not be permitted to go deeply into the soil if it is sandy, but in marl or heavy lands cultivation should be as deep as is. practicable. BUDDING. There have been many and varying reports regarding the possibility of budding and grafting the avocado. A few years ago it was thought impossible to bud it at all. More recently statements have been made that 90 to 100 per cent of the buds had ‘‘ taken.” These reports when investigated have been only partially verified, since a large per- centage of the buds that take fail to develop. In the avocado there seems to be no difficulty in making the buds take, but there is con. siderable difficulty in making them start. The buds placed in a vigor- ous stock are frequently grown over, thus obliterating the bud. Or again, the stock on being lopped to induce the bud to start often dies back to below the bud. Experience indicates that budding at or near the crown is preferable to top-working. The difficulty is not with budding but with the want of experience up to the present time. The nurserymen do not fully understand the time and manner best suited for budding their stock. Some buds respond promptly, while others are very dilatory about starting and may finally fail. Shield buds (fig. 2) inserted in the spring when the bark slips well and before the first flush, usually take well and make an excellent growth. It is very important in the work of budding that the stock and scion be in as perfect condition as possible.. (See figs. 8 and 4.) 29619—No.. 61—04——_2 18 THE AVOCADO IN FLORIDA. Bud sticks (fig. 5) are cut from well-matured growth, especially such as shows an abundance of active buds. (See fig. 5, a, a, a.) Wood with many blind buds (see fig. 5, 5, 0, 2) should be avoiden and care taken not to use such buds in propagating. Some are likely to occur on any stick. Various methods of budding have been adopted and some forms of grafting have been suggested. The common shield bud (fig. 2) seems to be about as successful as any that have been tried, though the patch bud is also used with a considerable degree of success. Fic. 2.—Shield Fic. 3.—Seed- Fig. 4.—Shield Fic. 5.—Bud stick; a, a, etc., bud cut out * ling avocado bud wrapped ‘live’? budsin various stages preparatory stock with with waxed of development; b, b, etce., to insertion. shield bud in- cloth. blind buds which should not — serted, “be used. GRAFTING. Baltet” recommends four different methods of grafting: (1) Inarch- ing, (2) veneer grafting, (3) cleft grafting, and (4) veneer grafting near the root. In inarching and cleft grafting the top of the stock is fig- ured as having been cut away. In the other two methods the top of the stock is left until the scion has started. Well-matured wood will live for several weeks if kept in a sufficiently moist condition, and will doubtless unite readily with the stock, but it is much more wasteful of scion wood and a more tedious process than budding. — _ — 41’ Art de Greffer, 7th ed., Paris, 1902, p. 226, “a>, e AS i a Sa il a Le i iil a Ee ll i 33 ra ae) He oo ee a ts < - Pa ee ee ee ee Ee eee y TRANSPLANTING. 19 TRANSPLANTING TO THE FIELD. A great deal of the difficulty that has been experienced in trans- planting the avocado is due to the fact that most of the trees have been grown in ‘‘fence corners,” or possibly they have been permitted to erow under the tree where the seed fell, thus producing tall, slender seedlings, with very few branches and long taproots, but not many fibrous roots.