APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30, 1914. 125 



38399 to 38404— Continued. (Quoted notes by Mr. O. F. Cook.) 



38399. Collinia sp. Phoenicaceap. Palm. 



"A small species with narrow pinnae and slender, short-jointed trunk. 

 A few plants were introduced several years ago and have been found 

 very well suited to household cultivation." 



38400 to 38402. Persea Americana Miller. Lauracese. Avocado. 



(Pcrsea gratissima Gaertn. f.) 



" The avocado season is much too far along to do satisfactory work. 

 In most places the season is completely over, but at these higher alti- 

 tudes a few fruits are still in the market, as yet none of a quality to 

 particularly recommend them. But I see one thing clearly, that it is the 

 late varieties of these countries that we want. The early varieties ripen 

 in August and September, the others in December, etc., and as the 

 colder places are reached the crop goes around into the spring months." 



38400. " From Purulha, Department of Bajo Verapaz, Guatemala. 

 Cuttings from a tall, slender tree, 30 feet high, growing in the 

 garden of Senor Ernesto Avouet, at Purulha ; altitude, 5,000 feet. 

 A large, round, hard-shelled, small-seeded type, without fruit at 

 this time (May 25), but said to be one of the very best in this 

 vicinity." 



38401. " From Coban, Department of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. 

 Diescldorff No. 2. Scions from a tree bearing large, oval, hard- 

 shelled fruit with reddish flesh. Without fruit at this time (May 

 22.) Growing in garden of Senor Dieseklorff, at Coban; altitude, 

 4,300 feet. Fruit said to be of superior quality." 



38402. " From Coban, Department of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. 

 Dieseldorff No. 3. Round shaped fruit, flesh yellowish green, large 

 proportion of flesh, rather small seed, very tough, thick shell. 

 Scions from a large spreading tree 50 feet tall, growing in garden 

 of Senor Dieseldorff, at Coban ; altitude, 4,300 feet. At this time 

 (May 22) the tree carried a large crop of mature fruit." 



For an illustration of Guatemalan avocado fruits, see Plate IX. 

 38403 and 38404. Chamaedorea sp. Fhcenicacese. 



" Pacaya " salad palm. 

 " From Coban, Department of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Collected at 

 an elevation of 4,300 feet. A large species, with a large fleshy edible 

 inflorescence, used as a cooked vegetable or as a salad. 



" Pacaya palms are grown here in great abundance, so that any 

 amount of seed could be obtained. Some of the palms have four, five, 

 and even six pacayas, as the edible male inflorescences are called, so 

 that we did not overestimate the amount of fruit that might be pro- 

 duced in a successful planting. I feel confident that the palms would 

 grow very well in sheltered situations in southern Florida, or I would 

 suggest that a planting be made in the slat house at Miami, with (he 

 idea of leaving some of the palms to grow to maturity. They attain a 

 height of 12 to 15 feet, but fruit much younger, possibly in the third or 

 fourth year." 



38403. Small seedling plants. 38404. Collected May 22, 1914. 



