76 SEEDS AXD PLAXT5 IMPOETED. 



44444 and 44445. Persea Americana Mill. Lauraceas. Avocado. 



(P. gratissima Gaertn. f.) 



From Antigua, Guatemala. Seeds collected by Mr. Wilson Popenoe, Agri- 

 cultural Explorer for the Department of Agriculture. Received March 

 7, 1917. Quoted notes by Mr. Popenoe. 



The plants grown from these seeds are not to be budded, but will be dis- 

 tributed as seedlings to those who wish to plant a seedling tree of good par- 

 entage on the possibility of obtaining a valuable new variety. 



44444. "(Xo. 88a. From the Finca el Manchen, February 16, 1917.) 

 The variety is very productive. The fruit is pyriform, about a pound 

 in weight, deep purple in color and slightly rough on the surface ; the 

 skin is thick and the flesh of deep yellow color and rich flavor. The 

 seed is moderately small, tight in the cavity." 



44445. "(No. 89a. Avocado No. 16. From the Finca Santa Lucia, Feb- 

 ruary 16, 1917.) This is a fruit of good large size, with a rather small 

 seed. It is a productive variety, the parent tree, which is about 20 

 feet high with a slender crown and little fruiting wood, carrying 100 

 fruits this season. 



" Form oblong-spherical ; size above medium to large, weight 15 to 

 17 ounces, length 4i inches, breadth 3| inches ; base flattened, with the 

 stem inserted slightly to one side in a shallow, flaring cavity ; apex 

 obliquely flattened ; surface smooth to undulating, deep purple in color, 

 almost shining, with numerous rather large yellowish dots ; skin mod- 

 erately thick, slightly over one-eighth of an inch, coarsely granular, 

 separating readily from the flesh, but very brittle ; flesh pale cream 

 color, tinged pale green toward the skin, of mild, pleasant flavor; 

 quality good ; seed small in comparison to size of fruit, decidedly 

 oblate, weighing about 2* ounces, tight in the cavity, with both coats 

 adhering closely. Season February to June." 



