FRUITS AND NUTS 113 



in fact occupies the larger part of the fruit, leaving only a 

 thin layer of pulp between the seed and skin. There are 200 

 or more known varieties of avocado which are cultivated in 

 various parts of the Tropics and subtropics. The avocado 

 is propagated by seed and by budding, grafting, or inarching. 

 The seed are used merely to obtain the seedlings which can 

 be budded, grafted, or inarched. The avocado does not come 

 true to seed and it is therefore an unnecessary gamble to plant 

 any considerable orchard to seedling avocados. Notwithstand- 

 ing the great variation which occurs in the seedling avocados 

 some of them possess flavor and other properties fully equal 

 to the most improved varieties. 



The avocado tree begins bearing at 5 or 6 years of age. 

 There is occasionally a tree which bears fruit at 3 years and 

 sometimes not until 7 years. The full bearing age may be 

 expected at about 8 to 10 years. A yield of 500 fruits per 

 tree must be considered quite satisfactory although occa- 

 sionally trees have been reported as yielding from 800 to 2,000 

 fruits. 



In general, the long green-colored varieties of avocado are 

 preferred as being superior in texture and flavor. In Florida 

 the Trapp avocado is generally cultivated. In California the 

 varieties thus far planted have been obtained largely from 

 Mexico and Hawaii. In Hawaii a large number of chance 

 seedlings of superior merit have been propagated and varie- 

 ties have been introduced from all parts of the world until 

 about 65 varieties have been established at the Hawaii Ex- 

 periment Station. One of these varieties, known as the Nut- 

 meg, has an extremely hard woody shell covered with rough- 

 ened protuberances. This is essentially a winter or very late 

 variety and helps to extend very greatly the season during 

 which avocados may be obtained on the market. The greater 

 part of the crop of avocados in Hawaii comes to the market 

 from June to August, but a good supply is maintained from 

 May to September. Avocados arrive on the Honolulu market 



