OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1916. 51 



"(Nos. 71, 127, 149. Avocado No. 7.) Ishkal. Several people have recom- 

 mended this variety as a fruit of unusually fine quality. Ripe fruits of the 

 variety have not been seen by me. 



" The parent tree is growing in the patio of the Masonic Building, 7a Avenida 

 Norte No. 4, Guatemala. The elevation here is 4,900 feet. Apparently the tree 

 is quite old, at least 50 years, as it is 60 feet high, with the trunk more than 

 2 feet thick at the base. The crown is dense and seems to be in vigorous condi- 

 tion. The bud wood is excellent, having well-developed eyes which are not 

 inclined to drop and leave a blind bud. Everything seems to indicate that the 

 variety is oval to broadly obovoid in form. The caretaker states that it is 

 formed, vigorous, and not unusually brittle. 



"Avocados growing at this elevation in Guatemala are not subjected to severe 

 frosts, but should be as hardy as the average of the Guatemalan race. 



"The tree did not produce any fruit in 1916, but it flowered heavily early in 

 1917 and set a large crop of fruit, which promises to remain on the tree to 

 maturity. According to the caretaker who lives on the property, the season of 

 ripening is from March to July. The fruit is not at its best until May. If this 

 is actually the case, the variety can probably be considered rather late in season 

 of ripening. 



" Judging from the young fruits on the tree at this time (July 20, 1916), the 

 variety is oval to broadly obovoid in form. The caretaker states that it is 

 about a pound in weight when mature and dull purple in color when ripe. The 

 surface is strongly pebbled, the skin moderately thick, woody, and brittle. I am 

 inclined to suspect that the seed may be undesirably large, but this can not be 

 definitely ascertained at the present time. Don Pedro Brunj and others tell me 

 that the flesh is of rich yellow color, unusually buttery in consistency, and very 

 rich in flavor. 



" This variety should not be propagated extensively until it has fruited in the 

 United States, since it 13 included in this collection solely on the recommenda- 

 tion of Guatemalans who are familiar with it." (Popenoe.) 



43603 to 43606. Persea Americana Mill. Lauracese. Avocado. 



(P. gratissima Gaertn. f.) 



From Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Presented by Mr. Clarence W. Martin. 

 Received November 24, 1916. Quoted notes by Mr. Martin. 



43603. " Colorados. Red aguacates, largest and hardiest variety of 

 Honduras. Stands all degrees of climate in Honduras, cold and hot. 

 Grown at 72° F., mean temperature. Pear shaped." 



43604. "Moreno. A mottled green and brown skin. The fruit is almost 

 perfectly round and not pear shaped. From 3,000 feet altitude. Mean 

 temperature here 72° F." 



43605. " Negros. Black aguacates. From a cool altitude of 3,500 feet. 

 This is a round aguacate. Grown at 72° F., mean temperature." 



43606. " Yerdes. A small green aguacate. Most sought after of all, on 

 account of its better flavor. Pear shaped, long necked. Grown at 

 72° F." 



43607 to 43632. 



From Mandalay, India. Presented by Mr. A. W. Sawyer, assistant botanist. 

 Received November 20, 1916. Quoted notes by Mr, Sawyer. 

 43607 to 43628. Holcus sokghum L. Poacese. Sorghum. 



(Sorghum rulgare Pers.) 



