147 



cOme to maturity, and these are apt to decay at the stem end 

 if not picked promptly. 



Another tree much resembled the parent, and the fruit is 

 shown in the left hand figure, upper line ; it was purple. The 

 best all-round tree of the lot bears annually a good crop of 

 well-sized (i6 to i8 oz.) purple fruit shown in the remaining 

 specimens on the upper line of the figure. These, as will be 

 seen from the sectional specimen, have sufficient meat and 

 medium sized seed. Keeping qualities are good and they have 

 been sent to Sydney, N. S. W., in good condition, and on the 

 tree a succession of fruits has extended the season to six 

 months (April to October). 



Here then are marked variations from a single tree that 

 would have given Mr. Luther Burbank great pleasure and a 

 fine chance to develop better points. But Mr. Burbank's 

 process is no secret, and the way is open to you gentlemen of 

 this institute to modify the Palta to such forms and qualities 

 as may better serve the needs of transportation and the palates 

 of those to whom this delicious fruit is strange. I know of 

 no fruit where the prmcii)le of variation is more marked, or 

 which yields more readily to treatment. If it be thought 

 worth the while, we have a good stock to experiment upon, 

 for I have tasted the West Indian varieties and those of 

 Guatemala, and to my taste the fruit grown on these islands 

 is superior to these competitors. I have not eaten the fruit 

 from the west coast of South America, probably its native soil, 

 but I know fairly well the little cultivation it gets there, and 

 I am convinced that without cultivation, the finest qualities of 

 the Palta never appear. 



SHIPMENT OF ALLIGATOR PEARS. 



The alligator pear can be shipped in cold storage. Success- 

 ful shipments have been made by the Hawaii Experiment Sta- 

 tion, as far East as New York City. This salad or breakfast 

 fruit is one commanding special prices for fruits of good size 

 and quality. Selected shipments sell for from $4 to $6 per 

 dozen, in San Francisco. The local demand is also large and 

 local prices are quite satisfactory. The alligator pear is a tree 

 susceptible of orchard cultivation, requiring less water than 

 citrus fruits. It grows better at the lov/er than at the higher 

 elevations, seldom producing a crop of fruit when grown above 

 2000 feet. It likes protection from winds. — Jarcd Smith. 



