2 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



"The first orchard of ahuacates ever planted in California was 

 started by the late Kinton Stevens, along Palm avenue in Monteeito. 

 Mr. Stevens was an Englishman full of energy and enterprise, who 

 had also been the first in California to issue a catalogue of tropical 

 and semitropical plants. His orchard was set out in 1895 and com- 

 prised about 120 trees, all Mexican seedlings, which in a few years 

 grew to considerable size. Most unfortunately Mr. Stevens died 

 in 1897, and then a series of dry years came on when water was 

 very scarce in Monteeito, and a great acreage of lemons was grubbed 

 out, as absolutely unprofitable, and alas! the pioneer ahuacate 

 orchard of California had to share their unlucky fate. 



"The 'White' ahuacate, to be seen on West Arrellaga street, 

 Santa Barbara, which has proved to be such a prolific bearer, was 

 raised by me from Mexican seed in 1895. A few grafted plants and 

 a large number of seedlings from this tree were distributed under 

 the name of 'Santa Barbara Early.' 



"It was also about 1895 that I obtained from Chile a few seeds 

 of 'Paltita, ' as a very hardy form or variety is called there, with 

 small fruits, but of good quality. Most of the plants I raised went 

 abroad, and in this country I know of only one large specimen, on 

 the Nordhoff place at Redlands. which has proved to be much 

 hardier than any other." 



Judging from this account by Dr. Pranceschi it appears that the 

 older trees planted in Santa Barbara have passed out of existence and 

 that the White tree which he raised in 1895 is the oldest in that city. 



Fig. 1. — The Beauty is the latest of all of 

 C. P. Taft's varieties to mature, coming from 

 June to October. (Photo by Division of Citri- 

 culture, U. of C, Berkeley.) 



