Botanical or Horticultural interest that attaches to it, pro- 

 mises to be soon the most important, as it is already the 

 most magnificent, in Europe. 



Sir Hans Sloane thus speaks of the Avocado : — 



" This tree grows commonly to the size of our largest 

 apple-trees in Europe, and spreads pretty wide at the top. 

 The branches are very succulent and soft, the leaves 

 oblong and veiny, and the fruit of the form of a pear ; but 

 the pulp is covered with a tough skinny coat, and contains 

 a large rugged seed, which is wrapped up in one or two 

 thin membranous covers. The fruit of this tree is one of 

 those that is held in the greatest esteem amongst all sorts 

 of people in these colonies : the pulp is of a pretty firm 

 consistence, and has a delicate rich flavour ; it gains upon 

 the palates of most people, and becomes soon agreeable 

 even to those who cannot like it at first ; but is so rich and 

 mild, that most people make use of some spice or pungent 

 substance to give it a poignancy ; and for this purpose, 

 some make use of wine, some of sugar, some of lime-juice, 

 but most of pepper and salt. Most sorts of creatures are 

 observed to feed on this fruit with pleasure ; and it seems 

 equally agreeable to the horse, the cow, the dog, and the 

 cat, as well as to all sorts of birds; and when plenty, makes 

 a great part of the delicacies of the negroes. 



" The tree requires some care, a rich soil, and a warm 

 situation, to raise it to perfection. It was first introduced 

 from the continent." 



J. L. 



