124 TEINIDAD AND TOBAGO BULLETIN. [XVIII. 3. 



They show that avocados grown in Trinidad contain much less oil 

 than in California and Florida. Thus of those analj'sed by Mr. Shrews- 

 bury the richest in oil was the " River " 7"6 per cent, which is over 

 "2 per cent, belotu the minimum of the California set. 



In order to test whether the low oil content was a character of the local 

 -varieties only, or was to be found in introduced varieties as well, fruits 

 oi the " Trapp " avocado were included for analysis. The Trapp avocado 

 at St. Clair is a budded plant presented by the United States Department 

 •of Agriculture and as Mr. Jaffa gives an analysis of the " Trapp" grown 

 in California in his series, our plant afforded a good opportunity for 

 com^^iaring the oil content of fruits of budded plants of the same 

 variety grown in Trinidad and California. 



In California the Tra,pp is of low oil content, 9'80 i.e. the lowest of 

 the set i-eferred to above. The Trinidad fruits of the Trapp contain 

 only 2"5 per cent, of oil ! The comparative figures are given in detail 

 on page 135. 



Accounts have reached me of an excellent salad oil being prepared 

 from the avocado. I have been unable to get any samples or to 

 ascertain exactly how it is obtained. Mr. J. de Verteuil, Acting Assistant 

 Director, prepared some at the Government Laboratory but it was most 

 unpalatable. 



AVOCADOS FOR EXPORT. 



It is recorded that there was formerly a small, but steady export of 

 :avocados from the West Indies to New York, but that this has almost 

 ■ceased, the reason given being the development of the industry in 

 Florida and California. 



In November, 1913 Prof, Carmody took with him to England two 

 <cases for the Hon. Arneaud de Boissiere. They were kept in the 



vegetable room on the ship at 45 deg. F. and arrived in splendid 

 •condition. The^' were sold at the Army and Navy Stores. 3 dozen at 



12/- per dozen, and 2 dozen at 10/- per dozen. 



The report on them was very favourable, a point being made of 

 their attractiveness in comparison with the ordinary Canary Islands 

 fruit. (See Bull. Dept. Agr. XIII. 1914. 24). I have since received 

 & request for more, but War conditions prevented any further 

 consignments being made. 



As however the Colony does not as yet produce enough avocados 

 for its own requirements it is perhaps premature to think of an export 

 trade. The impoitant thing at present is to grow more of the good 

 ikinds for local consumption. 



