■i THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



The fruiting habits of such varieties as the Buddington, Murrietta, Colo- 

 rado, Ferry, Harman, Ganter, Chappelow, and others were ascertained 

 by Mr. Spinks by budding them into larger seedlings. 



Mr. Sexton of Goleta planted out a few avocado trees several years 

 ago and has since gathered together a large number of varieties for 

 testing under similar conditions. In 1916 he had about 92 distinct 

 varieties, representing types from Mexico, Guatemala, Florida, and 

 Hawaii, as well as from California. Seventeen have already fruited. 



I have been unable to ascertain where and when the first budded 

 avocado trees were produced in this state, but Dr. Franceschi probably 

 deserves this credit. 



The number of varieties of distinctively California origin which I 

 have listed is 54; those of foreign origin number 86, a total of 140 

 named varieties. 



California seedlings are fruiting and varieties are being obtained 

 elsewhere in such numbers every season that the list is likely to be con- 

 siderably lengthened. Many local seedlings are undoubtedly as good 

 and some are much better than several of the varieties already named. 

 It is unwise to give names to seedlings which appear here and there 

 until they prove themselves superior to established varieties of the same 

 type. This superiority may manifest itself in productiveness, hardiness 

 or resistance of the tree to soil conditions or disease, or quality and 

 flavor of the fruit. 



While some may think it best to omit from the list and forget the 

 names of certain varieties previously described, it is true that many 

 trees under these names have been planted along the coast and through- 

 out the interior valleys of the state where they may prove to have quali- 

 ties which show them worthy of further propagation, especially as home 

 fruits. It will at least be several years before they can be eliminated 

 from the variety list in untested localities. 



The names of varieties follow in alphabetical order, the abbreviations 

 after each being: Guat. for Guatemalan type; Mex. for Mexican, and 

 W. I. for West Indian: 



Alto (Guat). 



Introduced as budwood in 1911 by the West India Gardens under No. 2S from 

 Atlixco, Puebla, Mexico. Described by K. A. Ryerson in the Pomona College Journal 

 of Economic Botany for February. 1913. 



Ameca (Guat.). 



Introduced as budwood in 1912 by the West India Gardens under the name 

 Furnival No. 1, from Ameca Valley, Jalisco, Mexico. Described under the latter 

 name by Ryerson in the Pomona Journal for February, 1913. 



Atlixco (Guat). 



Introduced as budwood in 1911 by the West India Gardens under No. 29 from 

 Atlixco, Puebla, Mexico. First described by K. A. Ryerson in the Pomona Journal 

 of Economic Botany for February. 1913. 



Azusa (Mex.). 



Original tree at Azusa in the dooryard of Mrs. Henry Roberts. Budded trees 

 bearing in 1916. Described by F. O. Popenoe in these Proceedings for October 

 •23. 1915. 



