THE AVOCADO 55 



March, but the fruit is so scarce after the early part of January 

 that it need scarcely be reckoned with. The earliest varieties 

 of the West Indian race begin to ripen in July, while the bulk of 

 the seedling crop matures in August and September. During 

 this season avocados are cheap, and the markets of the North 

 are receiving shipments from Cuba, but there is a certain demand 

 for high-class fruit even during the summer, and such varieties 

 as Pollock are profitably grown in a small way. It has always 

 been recognized, however, that the most profitable avocados 

 are those which can be marketed in winter, for not only is the 

 cheap seedling fruit out of the way at that time, but the markets 

 of the North are not filled to overflowing with peaches, 

 plums, grapes, and other standard fruits. 



It is, therefore, the late Trapps which have been the most 

 profitable in Florida, and the constant search has been for even 

 later varieties which would make it possible to supply the 

 markets during late winter and early spring. Such have not 

 been found among those of the West Indian race, but the Guate- 

 malan meets this demand, and varieties of this race will, in 

 all probability, soon be planted extensively in Florida. The 

 Guatemalan kinds which have already fruited at Miami and 

 elsewhere have served to indicate that the season during which 

 this race will ripen is, roughly speaking, November to May. 



In California a given variety of the Guatemalan race ripens 

 one to two months later than in Florida, so far as present 

 experience goes. The season of this race in California extends 

 from January or February, when the earliest sorts appear in the 

 market, to autumn. Following the Guatemalans, the Mexican 

 varieties mature, their season in general being October to 

 January, although there are some kinds which mature a few 

 fruits in spring. Thus it can be said that there is never a day 

 when ripe avocados are not obtainable in California. 



While the Mexican race has received little attention in 

 Florida, it seems likely to become of considerable value for. the 



