PART FIVE: SEMI-TROPICAL FRUITS* 



CHAPTER XXIX 



THE AVOCADO 



The avocado, or aguacate of the Mexicans (Persea gratissima) , 

 unwisely called "alligator pear" (for the fruit is neither one nor the 

 other), has been during the last few years almost a "sensation" 

 in California fruit planting. Its deliciousness as a salad material 

 and the prices which have been paid for the Florida and the 

 imported fruit, have joined to inspire great expectations for a 

 California product. The extent of the American demand, the 

 phases of competition with the fruit from elsewhere, and the porno- 

 logical characters of varieties to meet California conditions are all, 

 however, still largely to be determined and they make the problem 

 of investment in avocado growing very interesting. The abundant 

 confidence which is now being manifested promises to soon make 

 the situation clear. The enthusiasts who are leading in the planting 

 are in this way undertaking a public service. They have organized 

 the "California Avocado Association," and are publishing reports of 

 their proceedings from their headquarters in Los Angeles. 



In a few years fruit planters generally will be able to discern 

 whether they should restrict investment in the avocado to supplies 

 for home use and local sale or whether its production should be 

 pushed toward great commercial objectives such as California has 

 attained with other fruits of a semi-tropical character. 



*The dimensions of California's interest in this group of fruits are siren for the year 

 1919 in the U. S. Census of 1920 as follows: 



. 



No. Farms 



9f a " ges ..................... J8.540 



tSSSLu .................... 1( H 25 



Grapefruit ................... 4,249 



13 



78 

 ,. 4 



166 



22 - 4 



I 



212 



No. bearing 

 trees 



10,297,593 



2,884,770 



231,136 



120 



2 > 475 

 1,594 



503,973 

 910,890 



U ' 916 

 3,654 



T tals 



17,399 

 14.906.731 



Product 



21,628,444 bx. 

 6,551,657 " 

 465,085 " 

 136 " 



6 ' 658 " 

 2,002 " 



21,801,899 Ib. 



17,564,020 " 



7,919 crt 



32,852 Ib. 



144.992 



ma llth a tvervrttf> u, f y mUS nCatC that the demand for the 



small that very little of it is gathered and the plants are chieHy ornamental. 



Value 



$67,048,178 



18,999,810 



930,170 



477 



^,306 



8,008 



2,180,194 



1405121 



63353 



1,653 



28,998 

 $90,849.592 

 is so 



