THE AVOCADO 43 



planted in August may be set out in the field in November, and 

 should make trees ready to bud by January or February, 

 which is the proper season for budding in that state. 



For germinating seeds, a light, loose, sandy loam is prefer- 

 able, pure sand sometimes being used in California if the seed- 

 lings are to be transplanted as soon as they have germinated. 

 Four-inch pots are large enough for seeds of the Mexican race, 

 but frequently a five- or six-inch pot is necessary to accommo- 

 date the West Indian. In Florida, wooden boxes about 

 6 inches in each dimension are often used, while in California 

 tin cans are employed, but the latter are much less desirable 

 than clay pots. When planted in flats or seed-beds, the seeds 

 may be placed close together. The pointed end of the seed, 

 or in the case of round seeds, the end which has been toward 

 the stem in the fruit, should be uppermost, and it is usually 

 allowed to project above the surface of the soil, not more than 

 four-fifths of the seed being below the surface. If the seed- 

 coats are loose and come off easily, it is well to remove them 

 before planting. 



The soil should be kept moist while the seeds are germinat- 

 ing. The time required for germination varies greatly, sprouts 

 sometimes appearing within two weeks from planting, while 

 in other instances they may be two or three months in starting. 

 A month is the average time in warm weather. 



Essential features of bud propagation. 



Shield-budding is most successful when the stocks are small 

 and full of vigor. If the plants are once allowed to cease the 

 rapid thrifty growth with which they spring from the seed, the 

 wood hardens, sap is less abundant, and if the bud unites at all 

 there is great difficulty in forcing it into growth. Those who 

 do not devote their undivided attention to the propagation of 

 the avocado sometimes allow the seedlings to get into this 

 condition before they attempt to bud them, and as a result 



