R. M. Teague Nurseries, San Dimas, Cal. 
53 
THE FIFE RECOMMENDED VARIETIES OF THE STATE ASSOCIATION 
PUEBLA (Mexican) 
Fruit. True Mexican type, skin quite thin and a beau- 
tiful dark glossy purple when ripe. It is (he smallest of 
the recommended varieties, weighing from six to four'een 
ounces wi h a medium-sized seed which fits tigh ly in the 
cavity. The flesh is yellow, smooth and of a rich flavor. 
The period of eight months from blossom to maturity of 
the fruit is the shorest of any of the reCDmmended varie- 
ties. Ripens in December and January. 
Tree. A compact grower, erect and very hardy. Has 
proven to be an early and heavy bearer. Considered one 
of the best types of Avocados. 
History. Introduced as budwood in 1911 by West India 
Gardens from Atlisco, Puebla, Mexico, under No. 13. One 
of ih? two varieties selected from over a hundred that 
were introduced from lhat sec. ion. 
The prolific bearing Lyon avocado 
FUERTE (Guatemalan) 
Fruit. Pear-shaped, dull green in color and matures 
at an exceptionally good time. Weight from ten to .six- 
teen, ounces and has a medium-sized seed. Samples of 
the fruit have analyzed as high as 30 percent fat or oil, 
being one of the highest yet tested. This, together with 
its other good qualities, gives it rank as one of the best. 
Ripens January to March inclusive. 
Tree. Very vigorous but of spreading habit, appears 
to be a hybrid of the Mexican and Guatemalan types and 
has proven to be the most hardy on the list. It bears 
"early and regularly. 
History. Introduced as budwood in 1911 from Atlisco, 
Puebla, Mexico, under No. 15. This is the only other 
variety selected from the one hundred odd varieties intro- 
duced from the highlands of Mexico. 
SPINKS (Guatemalan) 
Fruit. Varies from nearly round to slightly pear shape 
and weighs from sixteen to twenty ounces. ' The seed 
averages large in proportion to the flesh, but fits tightly 
in the cavity. The flesh is cream-colored, smooth and of 
a rich pleasant flavor. When fully mature, the thick 
purplish-black skin gives the fruit a very attractive ap- 
pearance and makes it a particular favorite on the mar- 
ket. It is considered equal to the finest flavored Guate- 
malan fruits. Ripens April to June inclusive. 
Tree. An unusually strong upright grower and has 
proven to be hardy and quite prolific. 
History. The variety is of local origin, having been 
selected from a number of seedlings grown on Mr. W. A. 
Spink's place at Duarte, California. True G atemalan 
type. 
DICKIN'SON (Guatemalan) 
Fruit. Oval to abovate in form, weighing from 12 to 
18 ounces. The skin is unusually thick, woody and quite 
rough. When ripe the purple glossy color gives it a very 
handsome appearance. The seed is medium in size and 
fits tigh ly in the cavity. The flesh is a pale greenish 
yellow, free from fibre and has a rich, agreeable flavor. 
Ripens from May to September. 
Tree. A strong rapid grower and a regular and early 
bearer. 
History. The original tree was grown from a seed 
planted in 1899 by Mrs. M. J. Dickinson, Los Angeles. 
Belongs to the Guatemalan type. 
SHARPLESS (Guatemalan) 
Fruit. Pear-shaped and weighs from sixteen to twenty 
ounces. The surface is slightly pitted or roughened and 
is a beautiful bronze or dark maroon color when ripe. 
The flesh is cream-colored, smooth, free from fibre and 
of a very rich pleasant flavor. The seed is small and 
completely fills the cavity. In direct contrast to the Puebla, 
(he quickest to mature, the Sharpless requires eighteen 
mon'hs from blossom to maturity of fruit. Ripens from 
September to January. 
Tree. A strong upright grower and trees budded from 
the parent tree indicate that it will be an early and regu- 
lar bearer. The difficulty in propagating this variety 
makes it rather more expensive to raise and therefore it 
will probably always be higher priced than other varie- 
ties. 
History. Introduced by B. H. Sharpless of Santa Ana, 
California, where the original tree is now growing. 
The Dickinson and Sharpless are not considered quite 
as hardy as the first three varie:ies and should only be 
planted where lemons are considered safe from frost. 
Fruit of the Sharpless avocado 
If the orchardist or home grower will plant these five 
proven varieties, he will be assured of a succession of 
fruit during every month in the year. The bearing sea- 
sons given are the months during which the principal or 
main crop may be marketed. Many trees will mature a 
few fruits before this time and also hold fruits much 
later than the months specified, but such fruits usually 
represent a small percentage of the total yield. 
