410 [ THE AVOCADO PEAR. 



The avocado pear is highly spoken of as a nourishing 

 fruit of the first order. The pulp has a peculiar fatty 

 texture and a flavour reminiscent of pistachio-nuts and 

 pine kernels, and requires the addition of sugar, or of salt 

 and pepper to be relished. The seed sown in September 

 or October germinates in November or December, and 

 the seedlings after a brief check in January and February 

 resume active growth in March and in the course of one 

 or two summers acquire sufficient strength to be planted 

 out in their final quarters. 



The tree is propagated exclusively by seed, and 

 selected varieties are best propagated by budding on 

 seedlings during summer. Certain varieties often come 

 more or less true from seed. In sheltered situations the 

 tree is a prolific bearer, and the fruit if gathered and 

 handled carefully will keep in good condition for some 

 days, but here it is doubtful whether the avocado will 

 ever become a fruit of commercial importance. 



The fruit is not liable to the attacks of the fruit-fly, 

 and in these Islands neither the tree nor its fruit are 

 seriously affected by any insect pest or fungus parasite. 



arft hoe (Soiii. amog ioi vib Jqa:? 



) wol s n'uhfa 



