the Florida growers has proven conclusively that this is not the 

 case when it comes to a question of marketing the fruit. A 

 two or three-pound avocado is certainly a regal fruit, but will 

 not prove half so profitable commercially as a smaller and con- 

 sequently more prolific variety. From fifteen to twenty ounces 

 would seem to be the most desirable size. 



5. FORM 



It has been found very desirable for shipping to have fruits 

 of oval or round form. The necked varieties necessitate con- 

 siderably more care in packing, and are much more liable to 

 injury in transit. For local consumption, however, a pear shaped 

 or "bottle-necked" fruifis as good as any other form. 



6. UNIFORMITY 



To facilitate packing, the product should be uniform in size 

 as well as in form, and this also improves the appearance of 

 the fruit as it lies in market. 



7. COLOR 



The attractiveness of a fruit is affected considerably by 

 its color. Locally the purple varieties have sold somewhat more 

 readily than the green ones, but when the people are thoroughly 

 familiar with the avocado the color will probably make little dif- 

 ference, unless some particular color or shade is found to denote 

 a particularly good fruit. 



8. SKIN 



A skin sufficiently thick and tough to stand shipment to 

 great distances is a prime essential. This is found in many of 

 the Mexican varieties. 



9. FLAVOR 



As with all other fruits, there is considerable difference 

 in flavor and quality of avocados. This is, of course, a point 

 which must be given first consideration, as a fruit of inferior 

 quality would be undesirable in the extreme, even though it pos- 

 sessed all the other essential characteristics. Those containing 

 the highest percentage of oil are naturally the most desirable 

 from an economic standpoint, <and having the highest percentage 

 of fat they are ordinarily the finest flavored. The ideal avocado 

 should have a nutty flavor with a smooth texture. 



10. SEED 



The seed should be tight in the cavity. It has been found 

 that in shipping loose-seeded fruits, the seed in transit pounds the 

 walls of its cavity and causes considerable injury to the flesh. 

 This is a difficulty seldom met with in Mexican varieties. In 

 size the seed should, of course, be as small as possible. In time 

 a seedless variety will no doubt be developed, as has been done 

 with the orange and other fruits. 



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