56 SEEDS AXD PLANTS IMPORTED. 



45560 to 45564^Continued. 



45562. "(Xo. 214. Avocado No. 34. November 20, 1917.) I.fhim. Cut- 

 tings ot a tree from the sitio of Iguacio Hernandez, at San Lorenzo del 

 Cube, near Antigua. 



" While most avocados in the Antigua region do not ripen their 

 fruits until February or IVIarch, this one matures its entire crop by the 

 end of November. It can be considered, therefore, a very early variety, 

 and as such is worthy of a trial in California, where early varieties 

 of the Guatemalan race are needed. Its only visible defect is its some- 

 what large seed. The quality is good, and the fruit is attractive in 

 appearance. 



" The parent tree is growing in a small coffee plantation belonging 

 to Ignacio Hernandez, situated on the hillside above San Lorenzo del 

 Cubo, a village some 3 miles from Antigua. The altitude is about 

 5,500 feet. The tree is about 35 feet high, broad and spreading in 

 habit, with a fairly dense crown 40 or 45 feet broad, slightly inclined 

 to droop. The trunk is divided into two main branches, one about 1 

 foot thick at the base, the other 9 inches. The larger branch divides 

 8 feet from the ground into two main limbs. The growth seems to be 

 reasonably vigorous and the branchlets are well formed and stout. 

 The bud wood appears to be quite satisfactory. 



" Tliis location is not sufficiently high to experience cold weather, 

 hence the variety must be assumed to be of average hardiness for the 

 Guatemalan race until it can be given a trial in the United States. 



" The productiveness of this variety is somewhat in doubt. The crop 

 harvested in 1917 was not large. The tree bloomed heavily in Decem- 

 ber and was setting a good crop when last seen. The season of ripen- 

 ing extends from October to the first of December. Probably the 

 fruits would remain on the tree later than December if given an op- 

 portunity to do so. but as avocados are very scarce at this season of 

 tlae year they are picked as soon as mature. 



" The form of the fruits, i>ear shaped to obovoid, is attractive, as is 

 the deep maroon, color which they assume upon ripening. They are of 

 convenient size, about 12 ounces, and the fle.sh is yellow and of good 

 quality. The seed is larger than in the best late varieties, but not 

 unreasonably large. It is tight in the cavity. 



" Following is a formal description of the fruit : 



"Form most commonly pyriform, but sometimes obovate; size below 

 medium to medium, weight 10 to 12* ouiices, length 4 to 5 inches, 

 greatest breadth 2| to 3i inches ; base narrow to rounded, the 

 .stem inserted obliquely almost without depression ; apex rounded or 

 obtusely pointed, somewhat flattened around the stigmatic point; 

 surface almost smooth, sometimes pitted, deep dark maroon in color, 

 with numerous small light-maroon dots ; skin unusuallj^ thin for this 

 race, slightly less than one-sixteenth of an inch, soft, tender, peeling 

 fairly readily when the fruit is ripe, but leaving some purplish colora- 

 tion on the flesh ; flesh fine grained, buttery, cream yellow in color, 

 with slight fiber discoloration in some specimens, but no actual fiber, 

 the flavor moderately rich and nutty ; quality good ; seed large, broadly 

 conical to nearly spherical in form, weighing IJ to 2i ounces, 

 tight in the seed cavity." 

 45563. "(No. 215. Avocado No. 35. November 20, 1917.) Kanan. From 

 the sitio of Ignacio Gonzales, at San Lorenzo del Cubo, near Antigua. 



