J22 TEINIDAD AND TOBAGO BULLETIN. [XVIII. 3. 



Diego Martin. The chief essential as regards soil appears to be that 

 the drainage should be good. If budded plants are vised, a distance of 

 about twenty-five feet apart each way is recommended. Like most trees 

 they respond to cultivation and thrive better if not allowed to be smothered 

 in grass and bush. The best results will doubtless be obtained by 

 growing leguminous catch crops on the ground between the young 

 trees, preferably such as the sword bean {Canavalia cnsiformis) which 

 smother weeds, prevent soil wash, and yield a useful crop. If circum- 

 stances do not permit this, a space at least as wide as the spread of the 

 branches should be kept clean around each tree. 



Seedling avocados begin to bear in about six years, and budded plants 

 usually aboiit two years earlier. 



The Avocado is often irregular in bearing, sometimes it flowers 

 profusely and sets but little fruit. Indeed it has been suggested that 

 the name avocado is derived from "Avocat" from the fact that 

 as is sometimes the case with legal proceedings the fruit borne is by 

 no means commensurate with the early promise. 



LOCAL DEMAND. 



The demand for avocados is greater than the local supply in normal 

 years and there is a considerable importation of the fruit, principally 

 from Grenada. In Port-of-Spain there is no difficulty in disposing of 

 good class fruit at prices from about 3c. to Gc. each. 



In the country districts the question of transport has -to bo taken 

 into account. With all fruit, but particularly with the avocado, this 

 means careful picking, handling and packing to ensui-e arrival at their 

 destination in good condition. It is hoped that the formation of a 

 Trinidad and Tobago Fruit Growers Association, may help in placing 

 the avocado industry in a better position. In a season when avocados 

 are plentiful one hears of persons who have quantities of fruit they do 

 not know what to do with, and who will probably be disappointed at the 

 results of casual efforts to find a market. Proper organisation is 

 particularly necessary in dealing with perishable products. 



FOOD VALUE OF THE AVOCADO. 



The edible portion of the avocado varies fiom a little under one-half 

 to over three-quarters of the weight of the whole fruit, according to 

 the thickness of the rind and the relative size of the seed. 



The following interesting ttible, showing the composition of the 

 edible portion compared with other foodstuffs, is taken from The 

 AvocarJo in Haicaii, Bulletin 25 of the Hawaii Agricultural Experiment 

 Station. 



